Neil Finn - Dizzy Heights

Dizzy Heights is the first solo outing from Neil Finn since 2001’s One Nil. In contrast to the previous collection, which boasted appearances from Sheryl Crow and Lisa Germano, it’s very much a family affair featuring wife Sharon on bass and sons Liam and Elroy on guitar and drums.

Finn’s songwriting is immaculate as always. He seems to be working from a more expansive palette, creating sonically diverse soundscapes, perhaps informed by his extensive soundtrack work. His choice of producer could be construed as willful: Flaming Lips sideman Dave Fridmann brings a delightful element of surprise to the proceedings.

Dizzy Heights opens with the ethereal ‘Impressions’, all wooziness and lush arrangements. Elsewhere the uptempo funk of ‘Flying In The Face Of Love’, with its poppy sensibilities, contrasts with the ghostly falsetto and militaristic beats of ‘Divebomber’.

Finn explores life, loss, aging and a plethora of other subjects with trademark finesse and occasional humour. Love, in particular, is given the tongue-in-cheek treatment as he wills it to be ‘Better Than TV’. Wonderful.