Spinner

Crowded House Come Back to 'Earth'

This year is certainly the year of the reunion and what would it be without Crowded House? The Australian pop masters --who recently rocked Coachella -- will release their first album in more than a decade, 'Time On Earth,' on July 2, which frontman Neil Finn tells Spinner originally began as a collaboration with bassist Nick Seymour for a Finn solo record .

"As it developed, it seemed obvious it felt like a band," Finn says. "So we thought, 'Well, if it's going to be a band, what else can it be?'"

Of course that meant finding a replacement for late drummer Paul Hester. But rather than the popular route of reality shows, the band went about it the old-fashioned way. "We actually applied ourselves to the concept of auditioning people," Finn says. "We found a great drummer, rang Mark [Hart] up and said, 'We're putting the band back together. Are you in?' He said, 'Yeah, we're gonna rock.' It was just like the Blues Brothers really."

The group, who've enjoyed rousing responses at all of their recent shows, believe the absence was good for band and audience alike. "The intervening years have made us fonder of the music and fonder of each other," Finn says. "And to some extent the people that got us first time around are more affectionate. Maybe staying away is good sometimes."

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highlandrosie

Neil & company were sorely missed... no-one compares with lyrics, hooks & song-craft (save maybe some of the REALLY greats....) which Neil mentions in his "favorite songwriter" interview here on Spinner... If you lost track of him when Crowded House originally disbanded, look for "try whistling this"... it is so sweet & sorrowful at the same time....

July 16 2007 at 9:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jax

Just a clarification from a proud New Zealander - Crowded House is NOT just an Australian band, it is and Australian and New Zealand band. The Aussies have tried to claim Neil Finn many times, but he is a Kiwi!

A bone of contention down here as the Aussies always try to nick our good stuff.

Fans should check out Music from Neil's son Liam Finn.

May 31 2007 at 9:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Anya

Cheers Neil, Nick, Mark, and Matt. Hope to see you in Florida soon. Seven worlds will collide again.

May 10 2007 at 12:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
taragirl

They've come, they've come back, to build a wall between us.

May 06 2007 at 7:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply