Welcome Back Crowdies
Justin L. Cash | Melbourne, Australia | 07/10/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This new Crowded House effort is simply wonderful. But, if you're after instant gratification, then this album is not for you. It is impossible to comment on this CD before at least half a dozen listens. It is darker and heavier than previous Crowded House sets and Paul Hester's presence is everywhere. While it may not have the same level of energy as you'd expect from typical Crowded House fare, it nevertheless has moments of pure Neil Finn genius. She Called Up is the closest thing to the boppy Crowded House of yesterday, reminiscent of Something So Strong. In part, Time On Earth does resemble one of Neil Finn's solo projects, but this is only logical because this CD began as Finn's next solo work until the suggestion of reforming Crowded House was raised. There are aspects of every part of Finn's career on this CD, with hints of Split Enz, reminders of the Crowded House we used to love (and now love again) and both his own work and that with brother Tim, as well. On first listen, you'll probably only like two or three tracks, but after half a dozen listens you won't be able to put it down. There's something to enjoy about nearly every track on this CD. The uptempo pop of the Crowded House of the 80s and 90s still exists on Time on Earth, the gorgeous ballads are haunting, the brooding rock of Silent House (co-written with The Dixie Chicks) fantastic, and the melodies, just beautiful. To all those doubters out there, you didn't really think one of the greatest songwriters of our generation would let us down, did you?"
In Search of a Wider Audience
James A. Wells | 09/21/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I was surprised and disappointed to find only two (nicely written) reviews for this outstanding album, as it seems indicative of the "missing audience" overlooking a proverbial diamond in the rough.
So I'm writing to up the review total to "3", in the hope that "3" is indeed the magic number - and that the magic attracts new sets of ears to Neil Finn's brilliant songcraft, easily discovered on tracks such as "She Called Up", "Nobody Wants To", and "Pour le Monde" - a subtle, yet powerful anti-war song that broke my heart with the very first listen.
And then there's "Silent House", which for my money delivers the poignant lyric with a heart-to-heart clarity that far surpasses the version recorded by his co-writers (even though the song's inspiration stems from Natalie Maine's loss of her grandmother to Alzheimer's). The subject matter lends itself to the type of maudlin simplicity that drains the soul out of most pop songs; instead, "Silent House" beautifully demonstrates Neil's ability to deftly express the human experience from the inside, while avoiding the traps. This is pop music that touches the heart, activates various body parts to tap, bounce or sway, and invites your mind to come out and play. Now if only more ears would take full advantage of the gift that Neil and associates are offering to us all.
To put a finer point on it, my actual rating is 4.7 based on "Transit Lounge", a song I consider a mis-step that distracts from this album's emotional journey through terrain that is both beautiful and forlorn, but all completely familiar.
A fellow reviewer mentioned Michael Penn, and I'd like to suggest that all the new ears which are magically heading this way to purchase "Time On Earth", should treat themselves to Penn's "Mr. Hollywood 1949" - even though the combo borders on an overdose of songwriting brilliance. Not only can you handle it, you may be craving it."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1