The Sun Came Out

There are certain people who can't write a bad song and Neil Finn is one of them. And neither, it seems, can his band of many musically talented friends who all got together in New Zealand early this year to record The Sun Came Out, a charity project to raise money for Oxfam. The album is a vehicle to show off the talents of the many participants and the songs are well constructed. Many are instant stand outs. The opener Too Blue, written by Johnny Marr and Neil Finn, is a collaborative effort featuring many of the artists. Neil Finn also shows off his song writing talent on Little By Little, the duet with his wife Sharon and the fantastic opener to Disc Two, All Comedians Suffer, a soaring track with a varied structure.

Liam Finn is becoming a great talent in his own right, evident in the soulful Red Wine Bottle, as well as his contribution to Learn to Crawl , performed with his father. As well as Jeff Tweedy's song writing in You Never Know (a richer version instrumentally than the one on Wilco's recent album) and the more brooding What Could Have Been , we also see efforts from Pat Sansone in the beautiful guitar-driven Don't Forget Me, and John Stirratt's cruisy Over and Done. Tim Finn contributes Riding the Wave, featuring emotive piano and a moving melody.

Bic Runga's country-esque A Change of Heart is another great addition to the album, as is the murder ballad Black Silk Ribbon, a duet with KT Tunstall. The rollocking Hazel Black, featuring a chorus written by a drunken Neil Finn, is another great band effort with KT singing vocals. We also see the talent of guitarists Johnny Marr and Ed O'Brien in a couple of other tracks, Bodhisattva Blues and Run in the Dust. Phil Selway's The Ties That Bind Us is a highlight with its haunting vocals and harmonies. There's another Selway song in The Witching Hour, a bit more of a sleeper.

Don McGlashan leads the way in Long Time Gone, an album highlight featuring many supporting musicians. He also sings the heartfelt Girl, Make Your Own Mind Up, another great contribution. Lisa Germano performs Reptile, a quirky, likeable track featuring theramin and many other instruments played by herself. And Sebastian Steinberg's The Water closes the album.

Overall it's great value for money, supports a worthy cause and contains the work of some of the best song writers around. What's not to like?