Track Listing

1. I Feel Possessed
2. Kill Eye
3. Into Temptation
4. Mansion In The Slums
5. When You Come
6. Never Be The Same
7. Love This Life
8. Sister Madly
9. In The Lowlands
10. Better Be Home Soon

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11893 in Music
• Released on: 1993-08-16
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
The temple of low men is slang, of course, for a woman's lower sexual regions--and if it shocks you that safe old MOR Crowded House would call their album after such a thing, then you haven't been listening to safe old MOR Crowded House: all Neil Finn's songs are about guilt and obsession, the way mortality makes every great moment bittersweet, and sex. "When You Come" isn't about his wife returning from the shops--you don't have harmonies so hard and desperate where a simple "Hello" would suffice. And when Mrs. Finn first heard "Into Temptation," she was convinced Neil was having an affair. Of course, there's those classic cartwheeling West Coast Crowdies songs you expect: "Love This Life" is as blithe as a child on Easter morning and "Better Be Home Soon" is a lantern for the heart when the days get dark. But there's always electric storm-clouds in the distance. --Caitlan Moran

CD Description
Following fast on the heels of the band's debut, CROWDED HOUSE, TEMPLE OF LOW MEN was one of the most critically acclaimed yet commercially neglected releases of the late '80s. Opening with the gorgeous "I Feel Possessed", this stunner of an album is an expression of the thrills and dangers of fameand success. From "Into Temptation", where Finn comes so close to adultery that you can almost feel it to "Better Be Home Soon", where his opportunity for redemption lies, the emotion is palpable in every line. Finn is always a bit of a connoisseur when it comes to creative ways of describing coital bliss, and this collection contains the debut of the firstof many paeans to the orgasm, the not-so-subtly titled "When You Come". Short and sweet, TEMPLE OF LOW MEN is a superb follow-up to CROWDED HOUSE.

Customer Reviews

Interesting follow-up
'Temple of low men' seems sometimes to be a reaction to the global success of their self-titled first album. Because of this, Neil Finn's material seems to go into a lot of dark (but beautiful), places. Take 'Into Temptation' for example, possibly one of the finest CH songs ever, is fairly self-explanatory but full of all kinds of interesting imagery ('the cradle is soft and warm', 'into the wide open arms of hell'). There's also interesting commentary on working yourself into the ground on 'Mansion in the slums' ('You laugh at yourself while he's breathing down your neck').
However all this doesn't mean Neil Finn somehow forgot to write the same kind of soaring anthems as 'Don't Dream it's Over'. Opener 'I feel possessed' is delicately funky and funny, while 'Love this Life' is an unabashed celebration of making the most of what you got, and is all the better for the interesting bits of melancholy that are shot through it. 'Never be the same' is also in a similar vein ('And we might still survive, and rise above the flame'), while 'Sister Madly' expels the obvious influence the beatles have had on Neil as a songwriter. Closer 'Better Be Home Soon' is one of CH's simplest songs, but also one of their best and a great closing track.
Overall this was an interesting follow up to Crowded House's first album, that rewards a bit of exploration that might not appear on first listens. Definitely a grower.

WOW!!!
this album is possibly the greatest creation by any musician at any time anywhere!!!

neil finn's brooding and obsessive song writing reaches his best right here!!! there is just song after song on this album that strikes chords in everyone's heart. we've all been through what finn, hester and seymour sing, from troubled, heart-wrenching relationships to knowing a partner is cheating on you, to your true snobbish dreams and those annoying people you hate but really you love.

this album although recorded in 1988, still speaks to my contemporary ears. its not as polished as woodface, but that is where its charms lie. it is a really honest and heart-wrenching journey. fantastic stuff!

please buy this record, listen to Crowded House's finest hour, their peak!

Wonderful, life affirming stuff.
This, like every other Crowded House album, is a fantastic collection of beautiful songs. Each with the trademark Neil Finn perfect melody and sometimes sad, sometimes funny lyrics.

Into temptation in particular is one of the best things they've ever written.

I challenge anyone to play this record and not end up with a wide smile on their face. Perfect Pop.