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!

If you have not yet discovered Neil Finn, then stop wasting time. Finn first gained exposure when he joined big brother, Tim's Kiwi punk band, Split Enz. Neil went on to form Crowded House, which is one of the great underappreciated bands of the rock era. Finn is now solo, and creating complex melodies that would never have played in a band setting. Neil Finn has a McCartneyesque gift for melody and a Lennonesque gift for lyrics. This CD offers straightforward Beatles/Byrds melodies such as She Will Have Her Way, and also much more complex and nuanced works such as the title track. One of his most beautiful songs is Faster Than Light, which gets better the more I hear it. This is a quality CD which I constantly revisit and recommend highly.

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.