Crowded House’s second album Temple Of Low Men was released in 1988 and commercially, would be a good example of the musical “sophomore slump”. It didn’t sell as well as the previous album, and the band actually briefly disbanded.
I remember eagerly anticipating this album and for a time I considered it my favorite, but as the years have gone on, I’m not so sure. I find I’m drawn to the friendlier tunes and variety on Crowded House and Woodface.
The first self-titled Crowded House album came out in 1986. The New Zealand / Australian trio consisted of singer / songwriter Neil Finn, drummer Paul Hester, and bassist Nick Seymour. Both Finn and Hester were in the art rock band Split Enz, where Neil’s older brother Tim was the lead singer. Crowded House hoped to explore a simpler, live sound. The trio relocated to Los Angeles to record with then unknown producer Mitchell Froom. Two other members, guitarist Craig Hooper and keyboardist Eddie Rayner were lost along the way.
Crowded House recently reunited and released Time On Earth, their first album of new material in over a decade. The new group consists of Neil Finn, Nick Seymour, Mark Hart, and Matt Sherrod. Mark Hart was a member on Together Alone. Matt Sherrod is a new drummer — original drummer Paul Hester committed suicide in 2005. As an original member, the late Hester’s presence is felt, via the album’s somber, contemplative mood. Neil’s brother, Tim Finn, who added much to the sound of Woodface is noticeably absent.
So it seems Crowded House might be the latest eighties band to get back together, despite the sad death of drummer Paul Hester. The group will consist of Neil Finn, Nick Seymour, Mark Hart, and an as-of-yet undetermined drummer. Sounds awesome to me. I wonder if Mitchell Froom will be involved?