Crowded House - Time On Earth
(2007)

Review by Sean Lynch
Read the "Farewell To The World" Review

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Q: What is the difference between a new Neil Finn solo album and the new Crowded House album 'Time On Earth'?

A: People will actually listen to the Crowded House album.

There was always going to be some sceptisism surrounding the release of any new 'Post-Hester' Crowded House material. For no other reason that the fact that he was the single thing that gave CW an identity outside of the music.

It's a simple case of brains (Finn) and heart (Hester). Sure, it's Finn's songs that made us sit up and listen - but it was the quirky nature of the late Paul Hester's personality that made us stay. And that seems to be what's primarily wrong with Crowded House's first album in over 11 years.

While the songs on "Time On Earth" are, generally, quite good - it just doesn't feel right. It sort of feels like you are cheating on your girlfriend, or betraying a your best mate.  And that's in no way a reflection on new drummer Matt Sherrod, he's simply doing his job, and he does it well.

"Time On Earth" gets off to a fairly good start with first single Don't Stop Now and She Called Up adding a great deal of upbeat flair - and some of that much missed Crowded House quirk. 

In fact, it almost seems that Finn added in the odd melody changes at the last minute to remind us of which band we were listening to. But they work a treat, and probably stand as the two best tracks on the album.

Say That Again is a track of great debate within my car. My girlfriend thinks that the haunting melody is simply beautiful, whereas I find it to be one of the weakest songs in the entireCrowded House repertoire. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder it seems.

From there on in, it's a pretty mixed bag adult contemporary mood music left over from the last Finn Brothers album. Pour Le Monde lacks any real kick, while Even A Child does everything a good pop track should.

Other highlights include English Trees and Transit Lounge, with the rest fairly forgettable.

The big test will be how the band survives in the live arena. The true charm was always their live shows, so it will be interesting how no Hester plays with audiences. Judging by their recent effort at the Live Earth concert, Nick Seymour (who was traditionally neither seen nor heard from) seems to have been forceably thrust into the comedic wing-man position that once existed between Hester and Finn - and the results weren't great. Seymour struggled to bounce off the always jovial Finn, with neither Hart or Sherrod showing much support.

But it's a new band, so perhaps they need time to grow with each other. But, if that is the case, then perhaps don't tease us with the name Crowded House - and just stick with 'Neil Finn & Friends'?

Enjoyable...under false pretenses.

ALBUM RATING: 2.5 out of 5

Bonus Disc

It seems to be the way these days with any new release to give the option of a 'Standard Edition' and a 'Limited Edition' which usually includes a DVD or crafty packaging. The Crowdies haven't missed out on this opportunity, with a DVD which includes three 'classic' live tracks as well as a fairly short and sweet 'Track by Track' disection of the album (which, considering the guys have been away for 11 years, is a little light on information).

But the packaging is pretty cool.

Whether that means it's worth the extra $10 is completley up to the consumer! Let's just say it ain't the best Bonus Disc that's ever been released.

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