One Nil

by Neil Finn

Overview

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

Product Details

Release Date:	06/07/2005
Label:	Emi Music Distribution
UPC:	0724353203924

Tracks

1. Climber
2. Rest of the Day Off
3. Hole in the Ice
4. Wherever You Are
5. Last to Know
6. Don't Ask Why
7. Secret God
8. Turn & Run
9. Elastic Heart
10. Anytime
11. Driving Me Mad
12. Into the Sunset

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Neil Finn   Primary Artist,Wurlitzer,Chamberlin,Percussion,Vibraphone,Orchestra Bells,Orchestral Bells,Guitar (Synthesizer),Bass,Bells,Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Harmonium,Keyboards
Tchad Blake   Primary Artist,Rhythm
Mitchell Froom   Guest Artist,Organ (Hammond),Organ,Piano,Celeste,Keyboards,Wurlitzer,Chamberlin,Pennyosley
Lisa Germano   Guest Artist,Violin,Vocals,Choir/Chorus,Vocals (Background)
Sheryl Crow   Guest Artist,Vocals,Accordion
Liam Finn   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Jim Keltner   Drums
Doyle   Vocals
Sharon Finn   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Susannah Melvoin   Choir/Chorus,Vocals (Background)
Edmund McWilliams   Vocals
Wendy Melvoin   E-Bow,Guitar,Shaker,Vocals,Bass,Drums,Percussion,Fuzz Guitar,Choir/Chorus,Guitar (Bass),Vocals (Background)
J.J. Johnson   Drums
Doyle Bramhall II   Choir/Chorus
Sam Gibson   Drums
Jim Moginie   Guitar,Ukulele,Fuzz Guitar
Lisa Coleman   Vocals,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Adam Samuels   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Little Joe Cook   Assistant Engineer
Neil Baldock   Engineer,Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Dave McDougall   Engineer,Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Joe Cook   Engineer
Wendy Melvoin   Composer
Rakai Karaitiana   Design,Artwork
Mark Cooper Smith   Photography
Tchad Blake   Mixing,Composer,Engineer,Producer,Performer
Mitchell Froom   Producer
Bob Ludwig   Mastering,Mastering Engineer
Joe T. Cook   Assistant
Sam Gibson   Engineer,Programming,Drum Programming
Lisa Coleman   Composer
Neil Finn   Composer,Producer