Try Whistling This
Encyclopedia
Try Whistling This is the debut solo album released in 1998 by New Zealand
singer/songwriter Neil Finn
. The Japanese version of the album has a bonus track called "Tokyo", which also appears on the UK release of the single Sinner. Special editions of the Australian CD contained a bonus CD with six extra tracks which were used as the B-Sides for the singles released from the album.
in 1996, Neil Finn
set out to begin a solo career, having only ever performed in bands from when he was a teenager. This album was lauded by critics as being a vast departure from the Crowded House work, which was considered mainstream alternative-folk rock music, while this was experimental, more akin to his earlier work with Split Enz
, while still remaining distinct from that music also.
, except where noted.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
singer/songwriter Neil Finn
Neil Finn
Neil Mullane Finn, OBE is a New Zealand Pop recording artist. Along with his brother Tim Finn, he was the co-frontman for Split Enz and is now frontman for Crowded House...
. The Japanese version of the album has a bonus track called "Tokyo", which also appears on the UK release of the single Sinner. Special editions of the Australian CD contained a bonus CD with six extra tracks which were used as the B-Sides for the singles released from the album.
Overview
Following the breakup of his second band Crowded HouseCrowded House
Crowded House are a rock band, formed in Melbourne, Australia and led by New Zealand singer-songwriter Neil Finn. Finn is the primary songwriter and creative director of the band, having led it through several incarnations, drawing members from New Zealand , Australia and the United States...
in 1996, Neil Finn
Neil Finn
Neil Mullane Finn, OBE is a New Zealand Pop recording artist. Along with his brother Tim Finn, he was the co-frontman for Split Enz and is now frontman for Crowded House...
set out to begin a solo career, having only ever performed in bands from when he was a teenager. This album was lauded by critics as being a vast departure from the Crowded House work, which was considered mainstream alternative-folk rock music, while this was experimental, more akin to his earlier work with Split Enz
Split Enz
Split Enz were a New Zealand band of the 1970s and early 1980s featuring Phil Judd and brothers Tim Finn and Neil Finn. They achieved chart success in New Zealand, Australia, and Canada during the early 1980s ‒ most notably with the single "I Got You", and built a cult following elsewhere...
, while still remaining distinct from that music also.
Awards
In 1999, Try Whistling This won the New Zealand Music Award for Best Cover Art. The cover was drawn by Neil's young son, Elroy.Track listing
All songs were written by Neil FinnNeil Finn
Neil Mullane Finn, OBE is a New Zealand Pop recording artist. Along with his brother Tim Finn, he was the co-frontman for Split Enz and is now frontman for Crowded House...
, except where noted.
- "Last One Standing" – 3:04
- "Souvenir" – 3:42
- "King Tide" (Finn, Robert Moore) – 4:33
- "Try Whistling This" (Finn, Jim MoginieJim MoginieJames "Jim" Moginie is an Australian musician. He is best known for his work with Midnight Oil, of which he was a founding member, guitarist, keyboardist and leading songwriter...
) – 4:13 - "She Will Have Her WayShe Will Have Her Way (song)"She Will Have Her Way" is a 1998 solo single by New Zealand singer/songwriter and Crowded House lead singer Neil Finn. The music video for this song is a spoof of the science fiction movie Attack of the 50 Foot Woman and the film The 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock including film clips from both movies...
" – 3:56 - "SinnerSinner (Neil Finn song)"Sinner" is the debut solo single by New Zealand singer/songwriter, Neil Finn, released in 1998.An acoustic version of the song was performed live and released on Radio Austin 107.1 KGSR's "Broadcasts Vol. 6" album.-Track listings:#Sinner#Astro...
" (Finn, Marius De VriesMarius de VriesMarius Van Wyk de Vries is an English music producer and composer. He has been behind some of the key albums and soundtracks of recent times, gathering five Grammy nominations, two BAFTAs, and an Ivor Novello award along the way.-Music Producer:...
) – 4:25 - "Twisty Bass" – 5:09
- "Loose Tongue" (Finn, Moginie) – 4:12
- "Truth" (Finn, Moginie) – 4:03
- "Astro" – 3:46
- "Dream Date" – 4:51
- "Faster Than Light" – 4:23
- "Addicted" – 4:22
Personnel
- Tony Allen – drumDrumThe drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s (track 11) - Michael BarkerMichael Barker (drummer)Michael Barker is a New Zealand percussion musician best known for performing with many Australasian acts, including The John Butler Trio and Split Enz.-Early musical education:...
– drums (tracks 3, 5, 6, 10), percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
(tracks 5, 6, 7, 8, 11) - Lyn Buchannan – additional drums (track 1)
- Marius De VriesMarius de VriesMarius Van Wyk de Vries is an English music producer and composer. He has been behind some of the key albums and soundtracks of recent times, gathering five Grammy nominations, two BAFTAs, and an Ivor Novello award along the way.-Music Producer:...
– programmingProgramming (music)Programming is a form of music production and performance using electronic devices, often sequencers or computer programs, to generate music. Programming is used in nearly all forms of electronic music and in most hip hop music since the 1990s. It is also frequently used in modern pop and rock...
(tracks 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13), keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
(tracks 6 and 13) - Liam FinnLiam FinnLiam Mullane Finn is a New Zealand musician and songwriter. Born in Australia, he moved to New Zealand as a child...
– drums (tracks 2, 8), guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(track 5) - Paddy Free – programming (track 7)
- Mitchell FroomMitchell Froom-Career:Froom began his career as a keyboard player in Sonoma County, California. The band Crossfire featured two keyboards players; Mitchell on one side of the stage and brother David on the other with Gary Pihl on guitar...
– HammondHammond organThe Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
(tracks 10, 11, 12) - Jim MoginieJim MoginieJames "Jim" Moginie is an Australian musician. He is best known for his work with Midnight Oil, of which he was a founding member, guitarist, keyboardist and leading songwriter...
– guitars (tracks 4, 8, 10, 13), bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(track 13), omnichordOmnichordThe Omnichord is an electronic musical instrument, introduced in 1981 and manufactured by the Suzuki Musical Instrument Corporation. It typically features a touch plate, and buttons for major, minor, and diminished chords...
(track 13), percussion (track 13) - Robert Moore – bass (track 8)
- Sebastian SteinbergSebastian SteinbergSebastian Steinberg is an American bass player, best known for his work in the band Soul Coughing.- Biography :Steinberg played with Soul Coughing throughout the band's entire history, from 1992–2000. He also recorded and performed with guitarist Marc Ribot and appeared on William Shatner's 2004...
– bass (tracks 1 to 6, 8, 9, 11) - Pete ThomasPete ThomasPete Thomas is best known as the longtime drummer for Elvis Costello. Tom Waits has referred to him as "one of the best rock drummers alive".-Career:...
– drums (tracks 1, 4, 9) - Neil FinnNeil FinnNeil Mullane Finn, OBE is a New Zealand Pop recording artist. Along with his brother Tim Finn, he was the co-frontman for Split Enz and is now frontman for Crowded House...
– all other instruments
Chart positions
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Australian ARIA Australian Recording Industry Association The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956... Albums Chart |
1 |
| 1998 | RIANZ Albums Chart | 1 |