Neil Finn is a songsmith of enduring success. A combination of classic songwriting - he knows a good tune when he writes it and has an unfailing ear for a great turn of phrase - plus the fact that his live shows are not so much of a gig, more of a celebration party of new and old favourites for new and old friends alike. Not many performers these days end up with eager audience members dotted on stage as part of their backing band.
All of which gives 'One Nil' a head start - you want to like it, like a kid's painting or your other half's attempts at a slap up meal. And from 'The Climber's opening deceptively simple acoustic thrum it becomes apparent that Finn's songs are once again to be subjected to subtle textural undercurrents that turn them into something magical - here a heavy fuzzed guitar lurks beneath the surface like a Great White off Piha beach.
'Rest Of The Day' betrays a major collaborator on this collection to be former Prince starlet Wendy Melvoin (the glamour guitar goddess from the famous 'Kiss' video). Its heavy drum machine and fat guitar drive along a tale of absenteeism - a rare duvet day in Finn's busy world. Likewise 'Last To Know''s driving kick drum and dizzy guitar lines owe a debt to Paisley Park.
'One Nil''s organic, largely acoustic sounds are constantly dressed up with surprising, beguiling touches, rhythms, bonkers guitars and the trade mark spot-on backing vocals. Brother Tim would be proud of those. 'Hole In The Ice' and the album's dreamy highlight, 'Turn And Run', nod towards Lennon and McCartney respectively with their climbing chord structures and tasteful, grumbling major sevenths straight out of 'Abbey Road'.
Such is the easy writing style at a stage of his career when Finn readily admits to not giving a stuff about chart success or reviewers opinions, that Finn even plays the odd musical joke - the opening ringing acoustic line of 'Secret God' threatening to spin off into the famous riff from 'Weather With You'. Lyrically, 'Anytime' is a gem. A dog chasing a cat kicks off a tale of the uncertainty and fragility of existence itself. Phew! It's a feat Finn pulls off with consumate ease.
Then there are the songs that come from a darker place altogether. 'Elastic Heart' is a brooding, disconcerting lament that ends with an ancient, tribal call that will be a familiar motif for Crowded House fans.
'One Nil' explains Finn is the perfect score. You've done enough, won the game. His own success is that he goes far beyond that in every element of this album. The songs, their superb realisation and the group of collaborators the solo Finn has signed up for his team add up to a record worthy of the Champions League. It should have been called 'Six Nil' - at least.
