Neil Finn: One Nil (Parlophone)

'The songwriting force behind Crowded House', as his record company is desperately prodding our memories in the ads for this album, is never going to fill the stadiums he once did, but Neil Finn's instinct for a tune remains as infallible as ever. The man who gave us Four Seasons In One Day frequently gives us four songs in one track, taking off in all sorts of directions, many of them involving ineffable melodious moments. Toying with numerous instrumental gubbins, and teaming up with former Prince sidewomen Wendy and Lisa, Finn has packed these 12 songs with musical detail - too much to take in at one listen. While there's no instant hit here, live with One Nil for a week and it will have worked its way into your head.
4/5