Comments on: Dw. Dunphy On… Crowded House

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 23:16:24 +0000

There's no one writing about the simultaneous nature of love and loss quite like the Finns & Co. Seeing Crowded House in Portland last year was something I never thought I'd experience. What an absolute joy. (Oh yeah, and then there was Genesis….:p) Definitely one of my best albums of the year and I was disappointed that many critics didn't give it a few more listens so it could creep up on them as well. *sigh*

But enough of this critiquing critics. Who saw Howard Jones on Sunday? Me! And who's going to see Tim Finn tomorrow? Also, me! A happy girl am I.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:16:24 +0000

But enough of this critiquing critics. Who saw Howard Jones on Sunday? Me! And who's going to see Tim Finn tomorrow? Also, me! A happy girl am I.

By: soundtrekkie

soundtrekkie — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:16:24 +0000

But enough of this critiquing critics. Who saw Howard Jones on Sunday? Me! And who's going to see Tim Finn tomorrow? Also, me! A happy girl am I.

By: Thierry

Thierry — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 17:37:06 +0000

I'm as saddened as all of you that this album was ignored in North America – it was one of my favourites as well (for all the reasons that you mentioned, and also the fantastic “Silent House”, co-written with the Dixie Chicks).

By: DwDunphy

DwDunphy — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:27:19 +0000

You have really hit upon two reasons why I loved the album. It would be so easy to overlook Hester's loss and go on with a batch of sunny, lightweight nothings of music. Also, pop has been reduced to the repetition of a couple key hooks and a single phrase chanted into submission.

Perhaps Finn's idea of expanding on an idea versus pistol-whipping a single idea to death is old hat. It certainly wasn't a concept that helped out poor Andy Partridge.

By: SuicidalSalmon

SuicidalSalmon — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 10:44:25 +0000

If there was ever a band who could pull off a reunion, it would be Crowded House, wouldn't it? I think “Time on Earth” is less accessible than their earlier albums on the whole, though “Don't stop now” is a great pop single. sadly, it's the kind of pop that just isn't very…pop anymore. It's a sad album too, though – maybe it's me, but I hear references too Paul Hester everywhere; “Nobody Wants to” is incredibly moving. But I've listened to this over and over again, and it's really fantastic. Definitley my favorite from 2007. But maybe I'm biased; I flew to London to see them in Hyde Park, and was first in the door when they played here in Oslo as well.

By: Spence

Spence — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 08:14:50 +0000

Good call. You're right, it was decidedly overlooked on pretty much every Best Of list (aside from my own at least, where it came out top – http://onthetrailofthegreat.blogspot.com/2007/1…). And yup, Say That Again is my fave tune off the album – not Neil's best chorus ever, but there's something about the feel of that song that does it every time. Brilliant album, and anyone who really got into it should check out the Finn Brothers's 2004 record Everyone Is Here, which has a similar vibe.

By: Malchus

Malchus — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 04:01:43 +0000

FYI here is what Neil posted on the CH website on Jan. 1…

“It was a huge year for us… We felt that there was a new energy and commitment for Crowded House that gives us great heart for making new music.

What shall we play now? The new songs are circling and promise a more adventurous palette. I hope we get the spirit of our best shows onto this next record.”

By: Elaine

Elaine — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 03:40:39 +0000

10,000% agreement from me. My night with Crowded House under the stars in Santa Barbara last summer was the highlight of the year, hands down. The album is impeccable. My favorite is English Trees. I love how it sounds. Classic Neil — weaving beautiful poetry with an almost upbeat, beautifully harmonic sound, in a song about a terrible sadness and loss.

By: Noel Gallagher

Noel Gallagher — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 02:51:12 +0000

Groan.

Yes..It tis the same old story for the Crowdies. I expected this album to be ignored in the states just like all of the others starting with Temple of Low Men.

In the year of 1987 they had the initial breakthrough with their first album. A two hit wonder over here in the states (Dont Dream still has the legs after 20 years) Not so much since that time.

I found the problem with Neil and CH is that they're music needs more than one listen. The first album hit you across the face with some great tunes. Then in 88 Temple of Low Men came out. I could not wait..Guess what..I was disappointed..That's right. It took me another two years when Woodface was released and I got to see them live that I rediscovered that Temple was a incredible album..Why, because it required more than a few listens. And with all albums since Crowded house, Finn Brothers, or just Neil..Ya gotta give them a few spins...No cheap whore hooks, just sheer brilliance.

I knew the guy had it ( Lets not forget Tim) when I first heard "I got You" in the Fall of 1980. Geez, I saw the Finns in 1996 at a small club venue in Boston. They both took turns on Piano,Guitar, and percussion..WOW ..and WOW that my brother and I were standing at arms length to our songwriting heroes..

Geez, Even Dave Mustaine from Megadeath gives Neil his Props.

I suppose the last time I held hope for the House was in late 93 when I ordered Together Alone as an Import. Distant Sun,,Pop Perfection..unbelievable....Yes unbelievable that it was ignored.

At least we will have Neil records until he decides to stop...They sell everywhere else but in the States.