Customer Reviews

Try Whistling This

5 star:		(79)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

My first hearing of this album was singualarly unremarkable; having being told it was a fantastic album I sat down with the loaned CD and patiently heard it out. With this superficial trip through the disc I thought it was pleasant but not particualy noteworthy. However, whilst working in the observatory that evening I was continualy haunted by the fading memories of subtle key changes and almost subliminal melodies; when trying to recount them I found it impossible to recreate their delicate construct with my clumsy voice. I was hooked; at first by only one track (Truth); but one by one the other tracks revealed themselves to me; each with it's own quintisential flavour, subtly different in each case, but ultimately not unlike the other tracks, providing an album wide ambience without compromising the integrity and identity of the individual tracks.

However, despite my continual listening I would still find elements within songs that had previously gone unnoticed. The rich layering of audio textures from the production generates a depth that takes time to fathom, and is probably partially responsible for my not "getting" the album straight away; but it is this illusive depth that saves the album from the ignominious fate of so many other albums, namely becoming saturated, or overplayed. It is one of the few albums I can repeat straight after I've just listened it (depsite probable protestations from Chris (Noisy)).

As if this wasn't enought to endear the album to me the lyrics cross over into sheer poetry on occasions. I wish I could comment on all the tracks but I could churn out compendious tomes on the subject. However, well worth listening to are:

Last one standing: What every album needs, a strong defining first track. Again it mirrors the recurring theme of variety within tracks that defines the album.

King Tide: Stunning bass that sounds fantastic on a good stereo.

Try Whistling This: A delicate and haunting track which really is very difficult to whistle! Marked primarily for me by the beautiful lyrical bridge: "And my words are ringing in your ear, Drawing your attention now to all the things that you ignore, If I can't be with you I would rather have a different face" and so on. It seems like the whole song is in preperation for those six lines.

She Will Have Her Way: The most accessible and upbeat of the tracks which you'll find yourself humnming on the bus.

Sinner: Smooth and elegent, I love it

Loose Tongue: For a long time this track eluded me unitl the "Your skin is changing it's hue" bit stuck firmly in my subconcious and refused to let go. Now it is one of my favourites, and one of the only bits I can whistle...

Truth: Remarkably insightful lyrics and a lovely offbeat catch that made it the first track I noticed.

Faster Than Light: Perhaps my favourite, combining so many wonderful little "quirks" in the rythym guitar, and lyrics such as "Do you hear what I'm thinking, is it how you imagined" and "I know where the sun goes, I have seen the world turning". This really is a wonderful work of art.

There is no way I can convey the many emotions and images this album invokes because I am bounded by words alone; no matter how eloquent the poet, they cannot describe the music. Give this album a chance and it will reward you with a lifetime of listening delight and pleasure. Very few albums have had such an effect on me. Usually there are one or two questionable tracks on any album, but Try Whistling this has joined that small elite club of "Every tracks a winner". When I first played one of the tracks on the student radio station I recieved phone calls from several people who after one hearing were intrigued and wanted more. Naturally I couldn't let them down. Trust me on this. This is one of the best Albums you can own!

Neil Finn you are a Genius of the highest order. If I was wearing a hat, I'd take it off to you!

Neil Finn's "Try Whistling This" is great pop magic, showing that he did not slow down after Crowded House. "Last One Standing" almost bubbles with energy. "Souvenir" has gorgeous background vocals in addition to a haunting melody. "It's a dark empty room," Neil starts as the keyboards pulsate on the wispy "King Tide" while bass and guitar build. "I'm the best that you know," Neil sings as a lover asking to be taken back on the soft title track. "She Will Have Her Way" has a beautiful melody and is a classic Finn track, undoubtedly on its way to a greatest hits package. "Conscience plays on me now, Safe until my luck runs out, Coocoos call, pendulum swings, Thought you knew everything," Neil sings as we seem to drop in on the inner thoughts of the "Sinner." "The hangman's in the noose, the prisoner is loose," the lyric goes on the unsettling "Twisty Bass." "Loose Tongue" snarls with electric guitars popping in & out like shock treatments. "Truth" is a pretty melody, "Truth is worth more than pride." "Astro" is a celestial midtempo rocker, "One day they will discover you." Neil sounds a lot like "Mind Games" era John Lennon on "Dream Date," "I wish you were here to give me advice." "Faster Than Light" is a chiming charmer. The CD concludes with "Addicted," with prominent piano on one of Finn's glorious melodies. Neil Finn is one of our master musicians, and sounds wonderful on this excellent set. Enjoy!

I waited far too long to buy this album. Once I finally bought it, I jumped right to the singles, "Sinner" and "She Will Have Her Way." The latter is the most obvious pop single on the record; it's relatively straightforward and eminently hummable. (Think "Something So Strong" or "It's Only Natural" from earlier Finn efforts with Crowded House.) "Sinner" is more oblique and takes a couple of listens to grab you. The same could be said for the rest of the album, but grab you it does -- and hard.

The song that's haunting me at this moment is the sensual, cinematic "Try Whistling This," a song with the richness and heat of a hot summer's evening. I love listening to it, but at the same time I find it so intense that after it plays, I really can't listen to anything else but silence for a while. (Perhaps the major miscue of the album was following "Try Whistling This" with the relatively lightweight "She Will Have Her Way," which suffers by comparison.)

If you've been a Finn/Crowded House fan, you'll find this album to be a logical progression of Neil's talent. It's not exactly Crowded House, but it's clearly in the same family. It does take some listening to before you're hooked, but it's well worth it.

By the time Crowded House broke up there was no doubt that their leader, Neil Finn, was one of the most gifted and original songwriters around. Add to that a strong, unique singing voice and his consistently brilliant live performances and it's hard to see why he isn't better known. He's always been a critical darling, and his fans are ravenous, but here in the States he's known as the leader of a one-hit-wonder 80's band.

This album ofters further solid proof that Neil Finn is ridiculously underrated. While in Crowded House Finn stuck mostly to tried-and-true pop sensibilities, on "Try Whistling This" he provides a sense of adventure that was sometimes lacking with his former band. Songs like "Loose Tongue," "Addicted" and the title track make perfect, transparent use of odd phrasing and untraditional song structures. Finn also utilizes an array of vintage electronic instruments and some new beats to complement the understated pop elements of this record: the slinky string loops and trip-hop groove of "Sinner," for example, or the island-flavored beat of "Dream Date," or the droning Mellotron cellos of the paranoid and pretty "Souvenir." His lyrics are, if anything, even more introspective than in the past; "Astro" is the most conventional in its instrumentation, using mostly guitars and Hammond organ a la Crowded House, but its lyrics and production are decidedly darker. "She Will Have Her Way" is an instant classic and proves Finn still possesses a nearly unparalleled ability to produce smart pop hooks when he chooses to.

What many listeners may fail to realize is that Finn has established himself as a separate entity from The Leader of Crowded House, and while the treasures on this album are just as great as those on "Together Alone" or "Temple of Low Men," the listener will not find them in the same places. "Try Whistling This" is a moody, textural masterpiece that showcases the more adventurous side of Neil Finn, while maintaining his endlessly listenable pop sensibility. Highly recommended.

Try Whistling This is a great album. Neil Finn is at his songcrafting peak with this, his first solo album, and Crowded House's last album, Together Alone. Every song is a good one on this album.
Neil has released two albums since, another solo and one with his brother Tim. But neither of these compares with Try Whistling This or Together Alone. If you like melodic pop with good wordsmithing this album is for you.

You know who Neil Finn is right? I hope you answered yes. Everything this man touches musically turns to gold. He is my favorite songwriter, and I think he has the best voice in music. His lyrics can be nebulous, but I always feel his emotion in his music. The instruments Neil uses in all of his works have an earthy quality to them. He makes good use of the organ thanks to his long-time companion Mitchell Froom on the Hammond. Neil Finn is the most underrated musician in the U.S. and maybe the world. I feel more emotion from his music than 90% of the top 40. Every track on this CD should be listened to carefully. My favorite track is probably "Sinner," but "King Tide" is right behind it. I usually have a least favorite track, but all of the other tracks are tied for 2nd. This is a gem for anyone out there who enjoys smart lyrics combed with melodies galore. The cover artwork for this CD was done by Neil's son Elroy. Elroy did a fine job too.

Neil Finn is like a John Lennon that never had a Paul McCartney to bring him down. Neil Finn gets all the credit here. Oh my god, those sweet and delicious, twisting melodies! Is there anyone in music today to rival this man's lyrics and poetry? I can almost not stand to live. My sincere belief is that Neil Finn will go down in the annals of musical history as the most talented songwriter of the late 20th century that never got any airplay. For the good of man, won't you please buy this record?

If you liked Crowded House, you will love Neil's debut solo album Try Whistling This. Every song, and I mean every song, is excellent. Don't waste your time reading my review, pick up this album...NOW damnit, NOW!

Thinking of starting your New Millenium collection? Put this one at the top of your list. I can not think of enough good things to say about this release. From the first notes of "Last One Standing" to the ending chords of "Addicted", this effort is Neil Finn at his pinnacle(so far we hope). "Don't Dream It's Over", was my absolute personal favorite forever, which was subsequently usurped by the initial track on this all too long overdue CD. Most of the cuts are classic Neil Finn, then there are a few that show a new direction ("Twisty Bass" and "Loose Tongue" among them); not completely unlike his style to which we have grown so accustomed, just a surprising mix with the rest, making this find a truly enjoyable musical experience. He, so easily it seems, writes sentiments we all feel but can't express and marries them perfectly to his music. Like an unexpected letter from an old friend, his style is so comfortable, yet is constantly updated with each song. If you buy one CD this year, buy this one. I've about worn it out already. Here's to ya, Neil, hope this is the next on a list of many more. Outstanding!

Neil Finn just always knows how to write and compose beautiful and deep songs. His voice is so smooth and easy to listen to and his words are very interesting. Every song on this CD is great. We listen to this CD just about every day at work because we never get sick of the songs. This truly is the best CD I own.