Neil Finn One Nil CD

ONE NIL is the 12-track second pop solo release by Crowded House and Split Enz lead vocalist Neil Finn and includes "Climber," "Rest Of The Day Off," and "Wherever You Are."

In retrospect, Try Whistling This, Neil Finn's solo debut, seems like a conscious effort to distance himself from Crowded House. Filled with studio trickery, distorted microphones, and trendy vague trip-hop beats, the album was a deliberate move to establish himself as a separate, more adventurous entity from Crowded House -- yet one that remained a gifted, melodic songwriter. This is all put into sharp relief by his second solo album, One Nil, a record that finds him returning to solid ground, delivering his most straightforward album since Crowded House's Woodface. Curiously, for an album that plays to his strengths, a good portion is the result of a fruitful collaboration with Wendy & Lisa, plus a production pairing with Tchad Blake and numerous cameo spots, including Sheryl Crow, Lisa Germano, and Mitchell Froom. For all the guests and star power, the record is surprisingly subtle, lacking the knockout punches of Try Whistling This, where the singles leapt out of the grooves. This time around, the songs are gently insinuating, slowly working their way into the subconscious. Even the songs with the biggest hooks, such as the first single "Rest of the Day Off," aren't as immediate as "She Will Have Her Way." Yet, on repeated plays, the record begins to gel, revealing itself as a reliably solid effort from Finn. There may not be any new revelations, yet the little details -- the turns of phrase, the gently persuasive melodies, the slyly detailed productions -- all confirm his status as a gifted craftsman. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

The follow up to the former lead vocalist of Crowded House/Split Enz acclaimed debut solo release 'Try Whisting This', 'One Nil' features 12 tracks including the first single 'Wherever You Are', a classic dream pop song co-written by Wendy Melvoin.

Recorded at Roundhead Studios, Auckland, New Zealand and Sunset Sound Factory, Los Angeles, California between June & December 1999.

Personnel: Neil Finn (vocals, guitar, piano, harmonium, Wurlitzer organ, chamberlin, guitar synthesizer, vibraphone); Wendy Melvoin (vocals, guitar, E-bow, drums, shaker, percussion, background vocals); Lisa Germano (vocals, violin, background vocals); Sheryl Crow (vocals, accordion); Sharon Finn (vocals, background vocals); Doyle (vocals); Jim Moginie (guitar, ukulele); Mitchell Froom (piano, celesta, Wurlitzer organ, chamberlin, keyboards); Lisa Coleman (keyboards, background vocals); J.J. Johnson , Jim Keltner (drums); Sam Gibson (programming, drum programming); Liam Finn, Susannah Melvoin (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Tchad Blake.

Recording information: Revolver Studios (06/1999-06/2000); Roundhead Studios, Auckland, New Zealand (06/1999-06/2000); Sunset Sound Factory, Los Angeles, CA (06/1999-06/2000).

Photographer: Mark Cooper Smith.

Personnel includes: Neil Finn (vocals, acoustic & electric guitar, piano); Sheryl Crow (vocals, accordion); Jim Moginie (guitar); Lisa Germano (violin, Wurlitzer piano); Mitchell Froom (Hammond B-3 organ, celeste); Lisa Coleman (keyboards); Wendy Melvoin (bass, drums, percussion); Sam Gibson (drums, programming); Jim Keltner (drums).

CMJ (6/02, p.37) - "...This one will not disappoint fans (and will make new ones)."