Crowded House - Recurring Dream: The Very Best Of Crowded House
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Free Music Notes for Recurring Dream: The Very Best Of Crowded House
Free Music Review: Wonderful collection for an underrated group
Hit: 5 Stars
It would be hard to argue with any collection that spreads a little love on the woefully unknown (at least here in the States)Crowded House. The fact that Recurring Dream does such a good job is just a little icing on the cake. I'm not going to spend time talking about what's not here (personal fave "Love This Life" is absent, though), but rather what is. The compilers did a good job of not informing you what the best albums are by their song selection; rather, the collection features 4 songs from each of the albums, plus 3 new ones. Normally, I am not a fan of the Best of+new tracks, and I wouldn't classify any of these as better than most of what got left off, but it's nice as a sort of goodbye to the fans, and the tracks are still the House doing what they do best, which is singing catchy, intelligent pop music. That much is evident here in songs like "Don't Dream It's Over", "Something So Strong", "Fall At Your Feet", "It's Only Natural", and "Distant Sun". The only album I would quibble with on song representation is Together Alone, but again, I said I wouldn't do that, so I won't.If you can find it, there is an import of this with a bonus live album. Get it, because it's a great intro to the live talent and unique humor that makes the group extra special.
Despite all my minor quibbles with the set, on the whole it's the best retrospective this group could hope for, and it's a wonderful way to be introduced to some of the best post-70s pop music there is.
Free Music Review: Perfectly balanced smart-pop with a side of Beatles
Hit: 5 Stars
As other reviewers have stated, Crowded House WAS underrated. The easygoing vocals are reminiscent of Paul Carrack. (Who? He sang "The Living Years" with Mike and The Mechanics.) The music is mellow and varied, but the two main weapons of this band were Neil Finn's lyrics and the harmonies ("Weather With You," case in point). These tunes harken to the lessons of Paul McCartney. They stick in my head not because they're annoying, but because they're GOOD.Access all the track samples above; it's better than me taking up more space. See what I mean? Nearly all of these songs should have cracked the top 100 on U.S. college radio. (Top 40 was pretty much a mass grave even back then.) The aboriginal groove on "Private Universe" has a "Graceland"-era Paul Simon appeal. In some songs, the words convey a cautionary tale. In others, they're flat-out love letters. In EVERY song, the words tell a satisfying story.
"Something So Strong" and "Mean To Me" prove that the guys could rock; they just did so sparingly. Other tracks betray the influence of the Beatles ("Into Temptation," "Not The Girl You Think You Are," "Four Seasons In One Day," "Everything Is Good For You.")
At least they made a dent with "Don't Dream It's Over." Still, this band stands the test of time. They didn't blaze across the sky, but they've always hung well above the horizon.
Free Music Review: A MUST-HAVE for any CD collection!!
Hit: 5 Stars
It still amazes me how many people I know who think "Don't Dream It's Over" was a one-hit-wonder. "Crowded Who??" they say. Awww -- if they only knew what they were missing...This is a rare example of a CD where I love every song on it. The songs run the gamut from upbeat ("Locked Out") to slightly dark ("Private Universe") to goofy ("Pineapple Head") to heartfelt ("Don't Dream It's Over" and "Fall At Your Feet"). There is a song for every mood. "Recurring Dream" moves you in and out of a variety of feelings, which it is truly satisfying.
Neil Finn is a genius. Unlike most songwriters, he seems to put his lyrics first, with the melodies as almost an afterthought. The results are songs that are fantastic simply for their lyrics alone; the melodies are just a wonderful bonus. It all comes together.
My only beef with the CD is that they put "Everything Is Good For You" after "Better Be Home Soon." The latter rounds out the CD very well on a soft, slow note; "Everything Is Good For You," while a good song, revs you up again, only for the CD to suddenly end.
I can't say enough about Crowded House and their music. This is a nice and neat compilation album, and I recommend it for anyone who enjoys good quality music and songwriting. And for all those who think Crowded House was a one-hit-wonder.
Free Music Review: A compilation of one of the best bands you've never heard of
Hit: 5 Stars
Crowded House is one of those fantastic '80s bands that noone remembers because they either weren't glam rock or like A-Ha. This album, "Recurring Dream" takes some of their best songs from their four prior album and adds 3 new ones that were made right before the band split and went their separate ways. They only had three real hits in the United States: "Don't Dream It's Over" (featured in "The Stand"), "Something So Strong," and "Weather With You." However, they were always huge in their homeland of Australia and all over Europe. It really is a shame that they were never bigger in the States because we have been truly missing out. This album is a rare brand of heartfelt ballads that are done with a slightly New Age twist ("Private Universe", "Fall At Your Feet", and "Don't Dream It's Over") and more up-beat songs ("Weather With You", "Locked Out", and "When You Come"). Many of their best songs have been left off of this compilation, but it is still a fitting tribute to a band whose career could have and should have been so much longer than it was. I recommend that anyone who wants to hear some beautiful music should pick this album up as soon as possible.Free Music Review: Top Raves for Recurring Dream
Hit: 5 Stars
Everyone remembers Crowded House from the 80's and 90's for their catchy and thoughtful songs "Don't Dream it's Over", "Something so Strong", "Fall at Your Feet", and "Whispers and Moans". Even if those are the only songs you've ever heard from Crowded House, realize that those songs are only a small sample of the treasure house that is contained on Recurring Dream. After listening to Recurring Dream about 20 times in the past week, those hit singles I listed above aren't even the best Crowded House has to offer. Comprised of songs from their four albums, Recurring Dream has NO off songs. Every one is a winner: beautiful, thoughtful, catchy, and sometimes funny lyrics that will make you see this completely underrated group in a new light. The songs and sound of the band are totally unique, in fact, you'll be hard pressed to squeeze Crowded House into a category. You'll wonder why Crowded House wasn't played as often as other bygone bands who have not stood the test of time. And truly, the music is timeless. The members of Crowded House are true musicians who they have gone on to great solo efforts. Buy it...and do it now before you waste your money on another trendy band that sounds like everyone else.