Customer Reviews

One Nil

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

...but after a year or so of spinning this in my player, I just can't get into it like I have Neil's other work. After listening for so long, I can't help but think these are good songs severely stunted by misguided production. In so many places on the CD, there are beautiful turns of phrase or melody where some change in instrumentation or tempo or pause or whatever would be perfect to accompany them, but all of these songs are locked in tempo, with no room to breathe and no change in mood or style--supposedly there are real drummers keeping time, too, but you'd think it was drum machine the way it comes off. It's all pleasant enough-sounding music, I guess, but very vanilla in my opinion. I have no problem with the raw material; Neil Finn is a terrific songwriter. But the presentation really bothers me. If I had to contrast, I would say some of the tracks would have been more successful in a "Finn Brothers" (1996) format, intimate and stripped-down. Here it's sing and play to the metronome beat. I paid import price to pounce on this CD when I saw it. It's kind of disappointing. I know, make my own record...That said, even so-so Neil is better than a lot that's out there. He deserves more attention, but newbies won't fall in love with Neil Finn through this disc. Crowded House spoiled me, perhaps...Anyone out there in cyberspace even halfway agree with me? :)

I believe that's how one reviewer once described Crowded House, and if anything, Neil sounds a bit more Crowded House-y on this solo project than he did on Try Whistling This, if only for the presence of Mitchell Froom on some tracks. I vastly prefer this original over the remixed, reordered One All US release for many reasons, not the least of which is that is flows better. One Nil is an album about fidelity and maintaining a relationship, and while Don't Ask Why is a bit of an oddball in that theme, I've always liked it. Much more central to the theme, if indeed one takes this as a concept album, is Elastic Heart, which has some lovely brass work (think Together Alone) and lyrics that speak to the concepts of forgiveness, compromise, and reapprochment - it's not a date song, it's a marriage song, and it's one that means a lot to me. The whole album is highly recommended.

Here I go again, reviewing another artist that does not get the respect he deserves. For example, "One Nil" being released outside the U.S.A. first. This cd is an improvement over Finn's 1998 "Try Whistling This". The arrangements are more memorable and catchy like "Rest Of The Day Off", "Wherever You Are", "Last To Know", "Driving Me Mad" and "Into The Sunset". Yes, Neil seems to have reincorporated some of his Crowded House musical sensibilities into the music on "One Nil" to great effect. It's not Crowded House but Finn moving the music into a new direction while still maintaining a sound his fans are familiar with. Working with Wendy and Lisa (of The Revolution, as in Prince and The Revolution) and Sheryl Crow certainly didn't detract from Finn's vision. In fact, the addition of those fine musicians may have invigorated Neil's style--I mean "One Nil" IS better than "Try Whistling This". If "One Nil" does not achieve popularity it won't bother me. If I don't have to listen to "Driving Me Mad" on every radio station a billion times, I really won't mind. I like the fact that Neil Finn's music is still great yet most people are ignorant about its exsistence. Besides, for all the drive by Crowded House fans there's always "Don't Dream It's Over" and "Something So Strong" still saturating the airwaves, as if that's all that was important about Neil Finn's abilities! Anyway, I digress, if you are a Neil Finn fan, this is definitely worth owning. If you are not familiar with his music, it's worth owning.

While I enjoyed "Try Whistling This", this album is some of the finest songwriting (even compared to Finn's CH and Finn Brothers work) that I've ever heard. A clear tribute to his wife Sharon, there are 7-8 unforgettable tracks (best: "Rest of the Day Off", "Last to Know", "Turn and Run") and the remainder are strong as well. Sheryl Crow appears in fine voice; just a great, great album. My biggest fear is that limited US release won't give Neil the fame he very much deserves over here -

I've always felt that Neil Finn is one of the most poignant and prolific songwriters working today. Finn thumbs his nose at conventions, yet he creates the most melodic, memorable songs imaginable. I bought "One Nil" today, and already the songs are floating around in my head. I have the CD on auto-repeat as I write this.

Where "Try Whistling This" (another excellent collection) explored moodier, sometimes darker territory, "One Nil" suggests a more broad, open landscape. Finn kicks off with "The Climber," spare and intimate, but many of the remaining songs carry us along with sweeping background vocals and textures that have an almost orchestral effect.

Finn shines in excellent company, including Wendy and Lisa, Sheryl Crow, and of course, Mitchell Froom. All four song collaborations with Wendy Melvoin are outstanding, and Froom's production contributions always sound fresh.

To all who love songs that are the essence of well-crafted words married to well-crafted tunes--or if you just like damn good music that will still sound good in ten years--this CD is a must for your collection.

I've long admired Mr Finn for his considerable talents in writing wonderful songs and in providing memorable live performances. His new CD does not dissapoint and is a very strong collection of melodies, ranging from quick fixes, ready for radio songs (wherever you are) to sublime pretty songs that beg for repeated listening (into the sunset). For those only familiar with his Crowded House days, it's evident that this solo venture (his second solo CD) is much more diverse in flavor. Overall, I highly recommend this CD to anyone.

After four Crowded House albums producing a large songbook of classic songwriting, Neil Finn parted with his band to pursue a solo career. Since Crowded House, Finn has taken an even more personal and sensitive approach to his colourful songwriting. The first solo album "Try Whistling This" was a darker and more sombre alternative to Crowded House and "One Nil" (re-released in America as "One All") is without any exaggeration, probably one of the finest albums of the last 20 years or so.
I do not make such a statement without a number of reasons, and I'm certainly not measuring this albums sheer greatness by commercial success.
Craft, craft and craft, this album from the first moments to the close is an intensive marrying of lyrics, chords, melodies and unique instrumentations creating a complex and beautiful canvas of musical imagery. Neil's chord patterns are just as inventive as his attention grabbing metaphors. This album is filled with classic opening lines such as "Let's go climb up on the roof, in the twighlight" (Secret God), "There's a light overhead, overhead" (Turn and Run) "I've never been to heaven but it feels alright, and I woke up this morning with a permanant smile" (Don't Ask Why) or "Wherever you are, it's 3 am and I'm awake, imagine the light upon your blue transparent face", transparent indeed is a fine description of this album. The songs are 3 dimensional and like most of Neil's music they pull the heartstrings with their warmth of expression and evocative imagery without ever being sentimental. And that's a big plus, it means Neil can write a love song or two to his wife like "Turn and Run", or "Wherever you are" without a cheesy, soppy result!
This album has a very natural and organic feel; it's an uncanny pleasure hearing each song emerge. Through a simplistic chord progression and melody the music is filled with such colour, variety and a haunting energy, this is simply the work of a master songwriter who paints pictures with his voice and mould shapes with his chords.
When I say this is one of the finest albums around, I do acknowledge this albums sheer subtlety. It's not a spectacular concept production like Floyds "The Wall" or Queens "A Night at the Opera." But it doesn't need be - at all. Neil Finn matches Lennon and McCartney's finest songwriting days, and Finn at his finest (I dare say) defeats their post Beatles solo work. If not, Neil makes Noel Gallagher look like a teenager trying to write a song, he even makes the great Radiohead look like they are trying a bit too much to be progressive. Neil Finn doesn't need to try; his musical language speaks all for itself. I hope he will continue a steady stream of wonderful solo albums. This is his best work yet.

This album is astoundingly good! I never thought Neil could ever top CH's "Temple of Low Men"-but he does! Neil has such a talent for writing classic pop songs which are never predictable. The songs start one way and then the cords change unexpectedly, yet they always hit the perfect note. With songs like "Hole in the Ice" "Turn & Run" etc, this is the best he has ever done. The album rocks, yet there are songs that are intensly intimate and moving like "Wherever You Are" and "Into the Sunset". Sheryl Crowe and Neil sound like they were born to sing together and it sounds refreshing to hear him sing with female voices. As he says in one song, music is "driving him mad"-you feel his pain and lonliness about being driven to write and perform and be away from his home and family, yet I am also so thankful that he shares his wonderful gift. I have never heard such a satisfying album, the songs, Neils voice, the production, the sonic punch - pure perfection! I highly recommend it, buy it now!!

being that i am in the states & just happened to chance upon the existence of a new neil finn cd, i must admit that while it wasn't what i expected, it's still a mighty fine CD. after reading a few reviews here & there i kinda thought this would sound alot like an old crowded house CD, but after listening to it 2 or 3 times, it has this dreamy feel to it that creeps up on you til you're hooked! it was also nice to see lisa germano & sheryl crow there helping him out. neil, if you read this, please make your way back to texas, specifically Dallas(GO MAVS!), so's that i can see you again.

Love from Texas!

big crowded house, finn brothers fan and getting withdrawal shakes since it's been awhile they've done something. saw this other day and put in for listen at sound booth got my fix and you will too. the guy just writes damn good songs, beautiful right on lyrics and sweet rollicking melodies. much better than 'try whistling this' and yeah sheryll crow sings and plays abit, really nice pairing. this is what i call music. well worth even the extra dollars (for the import)