[Sidebar] The Worcester Phoenix
July 17 - 24, 1998

[Music Reviews]

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*** Neil Finn

TRY WHISTLING THIS

(Work Group)

As a member of his older brother Tim's band, Split Enz, and the founder of Crowded House, Neil Finn has been tapping into a Beatlesque pure pop vein for two decades. You always knew what you were going to get with a Finn project: shimmering harmonies, lush arrangements, picture-perfect choruses, and melody, melody, melody. So the implied challenge of the title is easily, readily met. There are no big surprises, only songs, and some very good ones at that. When Finn sings "Hand me down my favourite coat" on the album opener, "Last One Standing," he might as well be talking about the immaculately tailored pop form that continues to fit him so nicely. There are even a few sharp new creases. Whereas Crowded House sometimes seemed a little too cloying, a little too eager to please, here an occasional snarling guitar (kept on a tight, tasteful leash, of course) bites into the creamy melancholy, or darker clouds linger over daydreamy lyrics. In short, there's a little more John here, and a little less Paul.
-- Jonathan Perry
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