Product Description

When this sparkling debut by the three-piece Crowded House made its appearance in 1987, those starved for hooks minus the usual sentimentality were finally sated. New Zealander Neil Finn came all the way to Los Angeles from Australia, bringing with him some of the finest melodies and knowing lyricsto come down the pop-music pike in years. With immaculate production and keyboard additions by Mitchell Froom, (who found his fame with this band), CROWDED HOUSE proved to be a stellar debut.
Neil Finn first made his mark as a member ofhis big brother Tim's band, Split Enz. His contribution to that band gave Split Enz its first international hits (the most notable of which was "I Got You"). Finn continued this tradition of writing and performing harmony-rich gems when heformed Crowded House with Split Enz drummer Paul Hester andMelbourne bassist Nick Seymour. Featuring the beautiful yetambiguous "Don't Dream Its Over" (covered by Paul Young at the Nelson Mandela Tribute Concert), "World Where You Live",and "Something So Strong", CROWDED HOUSE is the ideal introduction to the delights of Neil Finn and his exceptional band.

Track Listing

1. Mean To Me
2. World Where You Live
3. Now We're Getting Somewhere
4. Don't Dream It's Over
5. LoveYou' Til The Day I Die
6. Something So Strong
7. Hole In The River
8. I Walk Away
9. Tombstone
10. That's What I Call Love

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #30827 in Music
• Released on: 1991-11-25
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
After gradually assuming a front-and-center role in brother Tim's band Split Enz, native New Zealander and transplanted Australian Neil Finn moved firmly into a leadership position with Crowded House, a trio whose debut album appeared in 1986. Slightly more mainstream than his new-wavy Split Enz work, the record nonetheless evinced signs of darkness ("Don't Dream It's Over", "World Where You Live", "Hole in the River") among more chipper numbers such as "Something So Strong". Often gorgeous, Crowded House may have been the group's biggest release, owing to the success of "Don't Dream" and "Something". --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews

Fantastic tracks - Great albums came later
This is by far the most popular Crowded House album in the States. It includes the huge classic Don't Dream It's Over & another lesser hit, Something So Strong. Despite there being other fine tunes on the album such as Mean To Me and Now We're Getting Somewhere, the overall quality does not match in any way what was still to come, merely hints at what would make Crowded House such a great band

This is not to say that the rest are filler tracks. If the last tunes are excluded, most songs are catchy with great texts. The production of many of them has, however, quickly dated. Case in point is the catchy Can't Carry On, influenced with the then current 80s sound heavy with synth and tin sounding production. And despite being very tuneful, many songs simply lacked depth which became later apparent. Those who have had the great fortune of owning the live CD available (limited edition) with their greatest hits collection hear how well Crowded House later turned mediocre songs on this album such as Hole In The River (which simply comes to life on that version) and Love You 'Til The Day I Die into great tunes.

With the exception of Now We're Getting Somewhere, most of the main songs on this album are included on the Recurring Dream greatest hits collection. I recommend purchasing that one for most people (being a Crowded House fan, I own all their records, including this one) and for those wanting more, pick the version including the live CD, which is outstanding. It is, however, in most cases very expensive. I give this album 3 stars to put it perspective of Crowded House's output, which on later albums became even better and more consistent.

An Amazing Album
This album has got to be the best debut album ever! As a big fan of Neil Finn and crowded house, this is one of my favourite albums. The songs are great with classic songs like Don't Dream It's Over and World Where You Live to the more upbeat Mean To Me. I recommend this album to anyone with an interest in music and great songwriting.

Possibly, The Greatest Album EVER!
as you may or may not realise, this was CHs first foray into the music industry, and it was a HUGE hit in the US. now, they're not right about many things musically, but the US struck it true with this album!

firstly, the tracks on here are just dripping with passion, power and post-split enz experimentation. there is no doubt however, it is not as fresh as other albums, but this is purely due to its age. it is very eighties in it's sound, and that can initially put you off. however, dont be scared away, because there are classics in here!!!

the only drawback i can determine is the "Hole in the river", i thought it was just a little cheesy with all those strange noises for a song discussing the suicide of a family member. this is, however, the only drawback to this album, but there are bonafide classics throughout.

this is possibly the greatest album ever made, you MUST buy it!!!