Neil Finn - One Nil

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, All Music Guide

Name Credits Adam Samuels Assistant Engineer Bob Ludwig Mastering Dave McDougall Assistant Engineer, Assistant Doyle Vocals J.J. Johnson Drums Jim Keltner Drums Jim Moginie Fuzz Guitar, Ukulele, Guitar Joe T. Cook Assistant Liam Finn Vocals (Background) Lisa Coleman Vocals (Background), Keyboards Lisa Germano Violin, Vocals, Choir, Chorus, Vocals (Background) Little Joe Cook Assistant Engineer Mark Cooper Smith Photography Mitchell Froom Producer, Piano, Keyboards, Pennyosley, Organ (Hammond), Wurlitzer, Chamberlin, Celeste Neil Baldock Assistant Engineer, Assistant Neil Finn Harmonium, Piano, Guitar (Synthesizer), Wurlitzer, Orchestral Bells, Vocals, Producer, Vibraphone, Guitar, Chamberlin, Bass, Orchestra Bells Rakai Karaitiana Design, Artwork Sam Gibson Engineer, Programming, Drum Programming Sharon Finn Vocals, Vocals (Background) Sheryl Crow Vocals, Accordion Susannah Melvoin Vocals (Background) Tchad Blake Rhythm, Performer, Engineer, Mixing, Producer Wendy Melvoin Bass, Vocals, E-Bow, Percussion, Vocals (Background), Guitar, Fuzz Guitar, Drums, Shaker, Choir, Chorus