MINE
Everyone I knew had this album. Including me. In fact, we've broken a rule by buying it recently, as I do have it on vinyl. But it's so great to go back to this first album, that wavers between the familiar sounds of Split Enz and the broader, poppier strokes that would, in the end, make this band large on the world stage.
It's often puzzled me - what weas it that made Crowded house so much more successful than SplitEnz? Apart from ditching the costumes, the songs to some degree are still flavoured with a similar sound. But from this moment on, it seemed the younger Finn could do no wrong. In fact, they became so successful they were offered the ultimate accolade by Australian audiences - we claimed them as our own, despite the fact they were only two-thirds Aussie. (Or occasionally half Aussie when brother Tim joined in).
This album is still as beautiful to me today as it was the first time I dropped the needle on to the vinyl, and I defy anyone to hate it.
VERDICT: TURN IT UP
YOURZ
Where do you start with such a band as Crowded House? Maybe I should start by saying while I appreciate the song writing and the musicianship, I've never been a big fan of the band. Simply, they were too pop for my liking and probably a bit too nice as well. At the time this, their debut, was released, I was more interested in dirty, sweaty rock. But listening now, it is hard not to be caught up in the infectiousness of these ten great songs.
While the singles Don't Dream It's Over, Something So Strong, World Where You Live and Now We're Getting Somewhere have become classics in their own right, it is the less popular album tracks like Love You 'Til The Day I Die and Can't Carry On, which appeal to me. These are a bit darker and closer in sound to Neil Finn and Paul Hester's previous band, the mighty Split Enz. And while it still isn't enough for me to call myself a fan, I do have a better appreciation of the band now and certainly won't turn up my nose like I used to do.
VERDICT: TURN IT UP
For more information go to http://www.crowdedhouse.com/
