I Own That CD! - Crowded House

Following the breakup of the fantastic Split Enz, Neil Finn and Paul Hester decided to form a new band. With bass player Nick Seymour coming aboard, the band, first known as The Mullanes, was formed. While recording their debut album for Capitol Records in Los Angeles, they were provided a very cramped apartment to live in - Some might call it a Crowded House. Some might also call their debut a masterpiece. It’s also today's feature on I Own That CD!

The band, working with producer Mitchell Froom, and a number of musicians created an album full of intellectual pop songs that took influence from Split Enz, The Beatles and I hear traces of Froom’s work with Marshall Crenshaw.

Kicking off with “Mean to Me” (my cassette tape had a different lead track, thanks to EMI) a folksy song that incorporates horns and turns the song into somewhat of a pub singalong. Next up is “World Where You Live,” a smart pop song that mixes melodies and rhythms seamlessly. It’s a 1980s Beatles song.

Soon after was the international hit song, “Don’t Dream It’s Over”. That guitar that starts the song is so well known now. While beautifully arranged and performed, it masks a painful longing for our protagonist. I still get chills at around the 3:10 mark when Froom’s keyboards come in.

I love the quirkiness of “Love You ‘Til The Day I Die” with its interesting instrumentation backing some dark lyrics. Reminds me a lot of “Every Breath You Take” by The Police in meaning and feeling.

To pivot to a true love song was a bold move, but that’s just what they did with “Something So Strong,” a song that I didn’t love at first but it's grown on me over the years. It’s a shiny pop song that makes you tap your feet.

I’ve read reviews that mention the second half of the release being weak - I would totally disagree. “Hole in the River” has a creepy, dark feel to it with thoughtful lyrics from Finn (along with more pub-like music in a specific break area).

“I Walk Away” is my underrated, favorite song on the album. Originally recorded by Split Enz, the new version does its best U2 impersonation and succeeds. The shimmering guitars, the anthemic sounding chorus. It’s a great song.

The debut closes out with “That’s What I Call Love”. A song that reminds me of Squeeze and Elvis Costello and is another that mixes complicated melodies with smart, biting lyrics.

I wore my cassette out back in the late 1980s so I bought the CD and wore it out as well. The debut from Crowded House is like an old friend who you can pick right back up with after a while. It’s just natural and it’s a great debut…and you can borrow my copy if you’d like.