Sunday, June 2, 2024

Neil Finn: Retrospective, 1977-2024

Neil Finn

A Retrospective, 1977-2024

Overview:


Born: Neil Mullane Finn
Date: May 27, 1958
Where: Te Awamutu, New Zealand
Known As: new wave/adult pop singer/songwriter

Early Years:

“Neil Finn lives in Melbourne, Australia, and Auckland, New Zealand, with his wife Sharon (whom he married on February 13, 1982) and their sons Liam Mullane (born on September 24, 1983) and Elroy Timothy (born on October 25, 1989) and their dog Lester.” SW

He “was born in Te Awamutu, a small town near Hamilton in the volcanic regions of New Zealand…His father, Richard, was a farmer's accountant, and his mother, Mary, a Catholic daughter of an Irish farmhand. Neil has three siblings: Carolyn, Tim and Judy.” SW “From a young age, Neil’s [older] brother Tim…was a large musical influence.” JL Neil “learned to play the piano and his parents encouraged him to sing with his brother Tim at their parties.” SW

“One of Neil's early dreams in life was to become a priest, but soon he got interested in music…As a teenager, while studying at Sacred Heart College (a Catholic boarding school) and later at Te Awamutu College, he performed his music in prisons, hospitals and clinics in his hometown.” SW He sent his brother “recordings of early jam sessions with fellow Sacred Heart boarding school attendee Jonathan Michael Chunn” JL later of Split Enz.

”While a teenager, Neil found an outlet for his music by joining the All'n Some Folk Club, which allowed Neil the chance to play with other musicians and write his own music. In 1975, Neil was critically acclaimed as the support act for the Split Enz Australia/New Zealand tour.” JL

Significant Bands:

Crowded House – the Players:

  • Neil Finn (vocals/guitar: 1985-)
  • Paul Hester (drums: 1985-96). Died 2005.
  • Nick Seymour (bass: 1985-96, 2006-)
  • Mitchell Froom (keyboards/guitar: 1986, 2020-)
  • Tim Finn (vocals/guitar/keyboards: 1990-91)
  • Mark Hart (guitar/keyboards: 1992-96, 2007-16)
  • Peter Jones (drums: 1994-96). Died 2012.
  • Liam Finn (guitar/keyboards: 2007-08, 2020-)
  • Matt Sherrod (drums: 2007-2016)
  • Elory Finn (guitar: 2008, 2020-)

Links on this Page:

Links Beyond This Page (Neil Finn):

Links Beyond This Page (Split Enz):

Links Beyond This Page (Crowded House):

Awards (Neil Finn):

Awards (Crowded House):

Studio Albums

Note: the links for Split Enz albums go to another DMDB page.
>

Compilations/Live Albums/Archives

Under each album snapshot, songs featured on the anthologies are noted. If the song charted, the date of the song’s release or first chart appearance and its chart peaks are noted in parentheses. Click for codes to charts.

Top 100 Songs

Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards. The following codes reference who recorded the songs. CH = Crowded House, FB = Finn Brothers, NF = Neil Finn, TF = Tim Finn, SE = Split Enz
Check out the Dave’s Music Database podcast: The Best of Crowded House & Neil Finn based on the DMDB list of The Top 100 Songs of Neil & Tim Finn.

DMDB Top 1%:

1. Don’t Dream It’s Over (CH, 1986)

DMDB Top 2%:

2. I Got You (SE, 1980)

DMDB Top 5%:

3. Better Be Home Soon (CH, 1988)
4. Weather with You (CH, 1991)
5. Something So Strong (CH, 1986)

DMDB Top 10%:

6. Fall at Your Feet (CH, 1991)

DMDB Top 20%:

7. History Never Repeats (SE, 1981)
8. It’s Only Natural (CH, 1991)
9. One Step Ahead (SE, 1980)
10. Distant Sun (CH, 1993)

11. Six Months in a Leaky Boat (SE, 1982)
12. World Where You Live (CH, 1986)
13. I Hope I Never (SE, 1980)
14. Into Temptation (CH, 1988)
15. Locked Out (CH, 1993)
16. Message to My Girl (SE, 1983)
17. I See Red (SE, 1978)
18. Chocolate Cake (CH, 1991)
19. Mean to Me (CH, 1986)
20. Don’t Stop Now (CH, 2007)

21. Four Seasons in One Day (CH, 1991)
22. Nails in My Feet (CH, 1993)
23. Late Last Night (SE, 1976)
24. How’m I Gonna Sleep (TF, 1989)
25. Time for a Change (SE, 1975)
26. Now We’re Getting Somewhere (CH, 1986)
27. Won’t Give In (FB, 2004)
28. Silent House (CH, 2007)
29. Persuasion (TF, 1993)
30. Hard Act to Follow (SE, 1981)

Beyond the DMDB Top 20%:

31. Pineapple Head (CH, 1993)
32. What’s the Matter with You? (SE, 1980)
33. Poor Boy (SE, 1980)
34. Dirty Creature (SE, 1982)
35. Private Universe (CH, 1993)
36. Sister Madly (CH, 1988)
37. Bold As Brass (SE, 1977)
38. Straight Old Line (SE, 1983)
39. Fingers of Love (CH, 1993)
40. I Feel Possessed (CH, 1988)

41. She Will Have Her Way (NF, 1998)
42. Never Ceases to Amaze Me (SE, 1982)
43. Next Exit (SE, 1983)
44. Instinct (CH, 1996)
45. When You Come (CH, 1988)
46. Hit the Ground Running (TF 1993)
47. Edible Flowers (FB, 2004)
48. I Don’t Wanna Dance (SE, 1981)
49. My Mistake (SE, 1977)
50. Give It a Whirl (SE, 1979)

51. Sinner (NF, 1998)
52. Maybe (SE, 1975)
53. Together Alone (CH, 1993)
54. A Fraction Too Much Friction (TF, 1983)
55. I Walk Away (SE, 1984)
56. Never Be the Same (CH, 1988)
57. Rest of the Day Off (NF, 2001)
58. Not the Girl You Think You Are (CH, 1996)
59. Things (SE, 1979)
60. Whatever You Want (CH, 2020)

61. Song of the Lonely Mountain (NF, 2012)
62. For You (SE, 1973)
63. Couldn’t Be Done (TF, 2006)
64. Nothing Wrong with You (FB, 2004)
65. Mansion in the Slums (CH, 1988)
66. Another Great Divide (SE, 1977)
67. The Saw & the Tree (TF, 2008)
68. Matinee Idyll (129) (SE, 1976)
69. Everything Is Good for You (CH, 1996)
70. Black and White Boy (CH, 1993)

71. What You’ve Done (TF, 2001)
72. I Can See Clearly Now (NF, 1998)
73. Salt to the Sea (TF, 2006)
74. Young Mountain (TF, 1989)
75. Carve You in Marble (TF, 1986)
76. Wherever You Are (NF, 2001)
77. Shark Attack (SE, 1980)
78. No Bother to Me (SE, 1975)
79. Last One Standing (NF, 1998)
80. Sweet Talkin’ Spoon Song (SE, 1973)

81. Only Talking Sense (FB, 1995)
82. Pour Le Monde (CH, 2007)
83. Saturday Sun (CH, 2010)
84. Our Day (SE, 1983)
85. Playing with Fire (CH, 2021)
86. Suicide on Downing Street (TF, 1989)
87. Angels Heap (FB, 1995)
88. Disembodied Voices (FB, 2004)
89. As Sure As I Am (CH, 1991)
90. Recurring Dream (CH< 1985)

91. To the Island (CH, 2021)
92. Suffer Never (FB, 1995)
93. Hole in the River (CH, 1986)
94. Charlie (SE, 1977)
95. Stuff and Nonsense SE, 1979)
96. Catherine Wheels (CH, 1993)
97. Find Your Way Back Home (NF with Stevie Nicks & Christine McVie, 2020)
98. Parihaka (TF, 1989)
99. Not Even Close (TF, 1989)
100. Tombstone (CH, 1986)

Split Enz (1977-1984):

Neil quit school in 1976 “and began working as a hospital orderly in Auckland, and formed a group called After Hours with Mark Hough, Geoff Chunn, and Alan Brown. After Hours’ debut gig was in Auckland on March 15, 1977. In the audience was Geoff’s older brother Mike, bassist with Split Enz…[He was] in New Zealand to ask guitarist Alastair Riddell to replace the recently departed Phil Judd in Split Enz. Around two weeks later, Neil got a phone call from his brother Tim in London. Riddell had turned the offer down, and Mike…suggested Neil” SW who had impressed Chunn with his “abilities as a singer and a songwriter…Neil arrived to London on April 7, 1977, to join Split Enz.” SW

”Neil brought a fresh perspective to the songwriting, and…penned many of the band’s major hits, most notably I Got You, which virtually catapulted the Enz from obscurity to international fame. It was the biggest selling Australian Single that year and received the "Song of the Year" award at the ARIA's, Australia's biggest music award.” JL

Neil stayed with the Enz until the end, even fronting the band on their 1984 final album, See Ya ‘Round, after brother Tim left for a solo career. However, after one album he “decided that it would be better to start from scratch with a new group.” JL

For more about Split Enz, check out their DMDB profile page.

Crowded House (1985-1994):

“After…a farewell tour…Neil went on to form a new group…known as Mullanes after Neil's middle name” SW with “Paul Hester (Split Enz’s last drummer) and Melbourne bassist/artist Nick Seymour…They moved to Los Angeles in 1985 and stayed in a cramped North Hollywood home while shopping for a record label, which inspired a name change to Crowded House. Armed with producer Mitchell Froom and a record deal from Capitol, the band wrote and recorded what was to be their biggest commercial success. Their self-titled debut launched their most successful single Don’t Dream It’s Over, which reached #2 on the US Billboard charts in 1987. This album was followed in 1988 by Temple of Low Men, which drew rave reviews from the critics.” JL

”In 1989, while Neil simultaneously worked on both the next Crowded House album and a project with his brother, Tim suggested a merging of Crowded House and the Finn Brothers projects, combining the best songs from both. Tim joined Crowded House for their 1991 album Woodface and the following tour. Weather with You broke Crowded House into the UK market, reaching #7 on their charts, and Woodface went triple platinum in the UK and double platinum in Australia.” JL

In 1993, Crowded House released Together Alone, their seemingly last studio album. It would be 14 years before they reconvened. “In 1994, Crowded House won the much-coveted Q magazine award for Best International Act, beating out U2, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam.” JL

Crowded House

Crowded House

Released: August 1, 1986

Peak: 12 US, 99 UK, 8 CN, 11 AU

Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, -- UK, 1.0 world (includes US and UK)

Genre: adult alternative rock

Rating:

4.093 out of 5.00 (average of 22 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks:

  1. Mean to Me [3:16] (6/86, 18 CO, 26 AU, 4 DF) RD
  2. World Where You Live [3:04] (7/86, 65 US, 45 AR, 10 CO, 43 AU, 10 DF) RD
  3. Now We’re Getting Somewhere [4:05] (9/86, 34 CO, 63 AU, 10 DF)
  4. Don’t Dream It’s Over [3:56] (10/20/86, 2 US, 3 CB, 3 RR, 9 AC, 11 AR, 1 CO, 25 UK, 1 CN, 8 AU, 1 DF) RD
  5. Love You Till the Day I Die [3:32]
  6. Something So Strong (Finn/ Mitchell Froom) [2:51] (4/1/87, 7 US, 8 CB, 8 RR, 13 AC, 10 AR, 1 CO, 95 UK, 10 CN, 18 AU, 4 DF) RD
  7. Hole in the River (Finn/ Eddie Rayner) [4:00]
  8. Can’t Carry On [3:57] (bonus track available on CD release)
  9. I Walk Away [3:06] (original version on Split Enz’ See Ya ‘Round)
  10. Tombstone [3:30]
  11. That’s What I Call Love (N. Finn/Hester) [3:38]
All songs written by Neil Finn unless noted otherwise.

Total Running Time: 38:40

About the Album:
After Split Enz broke up, Neil Finn and Paul Hester formed Crowded House with Nick Seymour. They experienced surprising success, reaching the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Don’t Dream It’s Over” and “Something So Strong.” Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Temple of Low Men

Crowded House

Released: July 1, 1988

Peak: 40 US, 138 UK, 10 CN, 11 AU

Sales (in millions): --

Genre: adult alternative rock

Rating:

4.021 out of 5.00 (average of 22 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks:

  1. I Feel Possessed [3:48] (8/89, 35 CO, 49 CN, 93 AU, 22 DF) RD
  2. Kill Eye [3:14]
  3. Into Temptation [4:33] (12/88, 26 CO, 64 CN, 59 AU, 9 DF) RD
  4. Mansion in the Slums [3:45]
  5. When You Come [4:45] (8/88, 18 CO, 27 AU, 17 DF) RD
  6. Never Be the Same [4:28] (10/8/88, 45 AR, 32 CO, 22 DF)
  7. Love This Life [3:36]
  8. Sister Madly [2:52] (8/88, 33 CO, 66 AU, 21 DF)
  9. In the Lowlands [3:57]
  10. Better Be Home Soon [3:07] (6/12/88, 42 US, 26 AC, 18 AR, 29 MR, 4 CO, 8 CN, 2 AU, 1 DF) RD
All songs written by Neil Finn.

Total Running Time: 38:04

About the Album:
Crowded House’s sophomore album was a commercial disappointment after the surprise success of their million-selling debut that sported two top-ten songs. It’s unfortunate that this album didn’t gain more attention as “Better Be Home Soon” and “Into Temptation” seemed like they were just as suited for top-40 success. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Woodface

Crowded House

Released: July 2, 1991

Peak: 83 US, 6 UK, 20 CN, 2 AU

Sales (in millions): -- US, 0.6 UK, 0.6 world (includes US and UK)

Genre: adult alternative rock

Rating:

4.165 out of 5.00 (average of 29 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks:

  1. Chocolate Cake [4:02] (6/15/91, 2 MR, 69 UK, 9 CN, 20 AU, 12 DF)
  2. It’s Only Natural [3:32] (8/17/91, 5 MR, 24 UK, 55 CN, 15 AU, 10 DF) RD
  3. Fall at Your Feet (N. Finn) [3:18] (10/19/91, 75 US, 17 UK, 27 CN, 31 AU, 10 DF) RD
  4. Tall Trees [2:19]
  5. Weather with You [3:44] (2/20/92, 7 UK, 34 CN, 27 AU, 3 DF) RD
  6. Whispers and Moans (N. Finn) [3:39]
  7. Four Seasons in One Day [2:50] (6/20/92, 26 UK, 68 CN, 47 AU, 13 DF) RD
  8. There Goes God [3:50]
  9. Fame Is (N. Finn) [2:23]
  10. All I Ask [3:55]
  11. As Sure As I Am (N. Finn) [2:53]
  12. Italian Plastic (Hester) [3:39]
  13. She Goes On (N. Finn) [3:15]
  14. How Will You Go [4:45]
Songs by Neil and Tim Finn unless noted otherwise.

Total Running Time: 48:11

About the Album:
For Crowded House’s third album, Neil brought his older brother Tim into the fold. Back in 1977, Tim gave Neil his first shot at major success when he brought him on board with his band Split Enz. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Together Alone

Crowded House

Released: October 11, 1993

Peak: 73 US, 4 UK, 18 CN, 2 AU

Sales (in millions): 0.3 UK

Genre: adult alternative rock

Rating:

3.963 out of 5.00 (average of 26 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks:

  1. Kare Kare [3:35]
  2. In My Command [3:43]
  3. Nails in My Feet [3:39] (11/20/93, 22 UK, 34 AU, 9 DF)
  4. Black and White Boy [4:01]
  5. Fingers of Love [4:26] (6/11/94, 25 UK, 12 DF)
  6. Pineapple Head [3:28] (9/24/94, 27 UK, 8 DF) RD
  7. Locked Out [3:18] (12/25/93, 12 UK, 8 MR, 81 CN, 79 AU, 16 DF) RD
  8. Private Universe [5:38] (8/94, 46 AU, 13 DF) RD
  9. Walking on the Spot [2:55]
  10. Distant Sun [3:50] (10/2/93, 19 UK, 26 MR, 4 CN, 23 AU, 17 DF) RD
  11. Catherine Wheels [5:12]
  12. Skin Feeling (Hester) [3:57]
  13. Together Alone (N. Finn/Hart/Wehl) [3:57]
All songs written by Neil Finn unless noted otherwise.

Total Running Time: 51:32

About the Album:
After Tim Finn came on board for 1991’s Woodface, he returned to his solo career. Neil soldiered on with Crowded House – although the band would seemingly come to an end after this album. It turned out they weren’t done yet, but it would be fourteen years before they returned with another studio album. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Recurring Dream: The Very Best of

Crowded House

Recorded: 1986-1996

Released: June 24, 1996

Peak: -- US, 12 UK, 12 CN, 110 AU, 13 DF

Sales (in millions): -- US, 1.2 UK, 3.2 world (includes US and UK)

Genre: adult alternative rock

Rating:

4.516 out of 5.00 (average of 12 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: (1) Weather with You (2) World Where You Live (3) Fall at Your Feet (4) Locked Out (5) Don’t Dream It’s Over (6) Into Temptation (7) Pineapple Head (8) When You Come (9) Private Universe (10) Not the Girl You Think You Are (11) Instinct (12) I Feel Possessed (13) Four Seasons in One Day (14) It’s Only Natural (15) Distant Sun (16) Something So Strong (17) Mean to Me (18) Better Be Home Soon (19) Everything Is Good for You

Total Running Time: 70:11

Tracks Not on Previously Noted Albums:

  • Everything Is Good for You (6/96, 10 AU, 24 DF) RD
  • Instinct (9/96, 12 UK, 68 CN, 90 AU, 25 DF) RD
  • Not the Girl You Think You Are (11/96, 20 UK, 37 AU, 29 DF) RD

About the Album:
Over four albums from 1986 to 1993, Crowded House produced two top-ten hits with “Don’t Dream It’s Over” and “Something So Strong” and a slew of songs that bafflingly did not find commercial success in the U.S., most notably “Better Be Home Soon” and “Weather with You.” For anyone who missed out on this under-appreciated band, this set is a must-have for delving into the unsung pop sensibilities of Crowded House.

Working Solo and with Tim (1995-2004):

“After the Together Alone tour, Neil returned home to New Zealand where he spent time with Tim working on the Finn Brothers sessions again. The result was 1995's Finn, an album which the brothers produced and played all their own instruments.” JL

”In 1996, Neil participated in Eddie Rayner’s ENZSO project (the symphonic orchestration of the music of Split Enz). Not long after the decision to break up CH, the band released Recurring Dream, a compilation of greatest hits, live tracks, and three songs that had been written and recorded for what would have been a fifth studio album.” JL

1998 marked Neil’s first solo release, Try Whistling This, an album followed three years later by One Nil. In 2004, the Finn Brothers released their second album.

Finn

Neil & Tim Finn

Charted: October 28, 1995

Peak: -- US, 15 UK, -- CN, 14 AU, 12 DF

Sales (in millions): --

Genre: adult alternative rock

Rating:

3.553 out of 5.00 (average of 16 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks:

  1. Only Talking Sense [3:04] (13 DF)
  2. Eyes of the World [2:52] (30 DF)
  3. Mood Swinging Man [4:06] (26 DF)
  4. Last Day of June (N. Finn) [3:18] (22 DF)
  5. Suffer Never [4:00] (10/14/95, 29 UK, 70 AU, 26 DF)
  6. Angel’s Heap [2:53] (12/9/95, 41 UK, 26 DF)
  7. Niwhai [3:36]
  8. Where Is My Soul [4:10] (26 DF)
  9. Bullets in My Hairdo [3:00] (40 DF)
  10. Paradise (Wherever You Are) [3:59] (37 DF)
  11. Kiss the Road of Rarotonga [3:25] (36 DF)
All songs written by Neil and Tim Finn unless noted otherwise.

About the Album:
Brothers Neil and Tim Finn had worked together in Split Enz from 1977-83 and came together again on Crowded House’s 1991 Woodface album. This marks their first release as a duo. Go to the DMDB page for more on this album.

Try Whistling This

Neil Finn

Released: June 16, 1998

Peak: -- US, 5 UK, -- CN, 12 AU, 15 DF

Sales (in millions): -- US, 0.1 UK

Genre: adult alternative rock

Rating:

3.870 out of 5.00 (average of 20 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks:

  1. Last One Standing [3:04]
  2. Souvenir [3:42]
  3. King Tide (N. Finn/Moore) [4:33]
  4. Try Whistling This (N. Finn/Moginie) [4:13]
  5. She Will Have Her Way [3:56] (6/13/98, 26 UK)
  6. Sinner (DeVries/N. Finn) [4:25] (10/17/98, 39 UK)
  7. Twisty Bass [5:09]
  8. Loose Tongue (N. Finn/Moginie) [4:12]
  9. Truth (N. Finn/Moginie) [4:03]
  10. Astro [3:46]
  11. Dream Date [4:51]
  12. Faster Than Light [4:23]
  13. Addicted [6:54]
All songs written by Neil Finn unless noted otherwise.

Total Running Time: 54:44

About the Album:
After more than 20 years recording with Split Enz and Crowded House and an album with his brother Tim, Neil finally releases his first solo album. Go to the DMDB page for more on this album.

One Nil

Neil Finn

Released: March 9, 2001

Peak: -- US, 14 UK, -- CN, 9 AU, 12 DF

Sales (in millions): -- US, -- UK, 0.04 world (includes US + UK)

Genre: adult alternative rock

Rating:

3.752 out of 5.00 (average of 19 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks:

  1. The Climber [4:13]
  2. Rest of the Day Off (Blake/ N. Finn/ Melvoin) [3:49] (3/2/01, 77 AU)
  3. Hole in the Ice (Coleman/ N. Finn) [4:11] (9/10/01, --)
  4. Wherever You Are [4:46] (3/26/01, 32 UK)
  5. Last to Know (N. Finn/ Melvoin) [3:02] (7/24/01, --)
  6. Don’t Ask Why (N. Finn/ Melvoin) [3:54]
  7. Secret God (N. Finn/ Melvoin) [5:27]
  8. Turn and Run [3:46]
  9. Elastic Heart [4:00]
  10. Anytime [3:24]
  11. Driving Me Mad [3:58]
  12. Into the Sunset [4:12]
All songs written by Neil Finn unless noted otherwise.

Total Running Time: 48:46

About the Album:
Neil Finn followed his first solo effort (1998’s Try Whistling This) with this, his second solo outing. It would be another thirteen years before he was out on his own again. Go to the DMDB page for more on this album.

Everyone Is Here

Neil & Tim Finn

Released: August 24, 2004

Peak: -- US, 8 UK, -- CN, 2 AU

Sales (in millions): --

Genre: adult alternative rock

Rating:

3.882 out of 5.00 (average of 21 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks:

  1. Won’t Give In (8/04, 26 UK)
  2. Nothing Wrong with You (11/04, 31 UK)
  3. Anything Can Happen
  4. Luckiest Man Alive
  5. Homesick
  6. Dismebodied Voices
  7. A Life Between Us
  8. All God’s Children
  9. Edible Flowers (4/05, 32 UK)
  10. All the Colours
  11. Part of Me, Part of You
  12. Gentle Hum
All songs written by Neil and Tim Finn.

Total Running Time: 45:47

About the Album:
Neil Finn’s first two solo albums, 1998’s Try Whistling This and 2001’s One Nil, were bookended by two outings with his brother Tim – first came Finn in 1995 and then this even stronger effort, Everyone Is Here, in 2004. Go to the DMDB page for more on this album.

Crowded House Reunion (2007-2010):

In 2005, Paul Hester, who had played drums with Neil Finn in Split Enz and Crowded House, committed suicide. This prompted a reunion between Finn and Nick Seymour of Crowded House. They enlisted multi-instrumentalist Mark Hart, formerly of Supertramp, and drummer Matt Sherrod, who’d worked with Beck, to record the album Time on Earth in 2007.

In 2009, Finn assembled many of the performers who’d come together for his 7 Worlds Collide live album for a studio effort. This time out, the collective recorded under the 7 Worlds Collide banner to craft a 2-disc collection called The Sun Came Out.

The new Crowded House lineup toured in support of the album and re-convened again in 2010 for the album Intriguer.

Time on Earth

Crowded House

Released: June 29, 2007

Peak: 46 US, 3 UK, 38 CN, 11 AU

Sales (in millions): 0.45 world (includes US and UK)

Genre: adult alternative rock

Rating:

3.833 out of 5.00 (average of 21 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks:

  1. Nobody Wants To
  2. Don’t Stop Now (6/16/07, 41 UK, 34 AU, 11 DF)
  3. She Called Up (9/17/07, 30 DF)
  4. Say That Again
  5. Pour Le Monde (12/10/07, 51 UK, 26 DF)
  6. Even a Child
  7. Heaven That I’m Making
  8. A Sigh
  9. Silent House (1 DF)
  10. English Trees
  11. Walked Her Way Down
  12. Transit Lounge
  13. You Are the One to Make Me Cry
  14. People Are Like Suns

Total Running Time: 58:31

About the Album:
Comments here. Go to the DMDB page for more on this album.

Intriguer

Crowded House

Released: June 11, 2010

Peak: 50 US, 12 UK, 11 AU

Sales (in millions): --

Genre: adult alternative rock

Rating:

3.536 out of 5.00 (average of 24 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks:

  1. Saturday Sun (4/17/10, 14 DF)
  2. Archer’s Arrows
  3. Amsterdam (36 DF)
  4. Either Side of the World (8/28/10, 30 DF)
  5. Falling Dove
  6. Isolation
  7. Twice if You’re Lucky (11/8/10, 26 DF)
  8. Inside Out
  9. Even If
  10. Elephants

Total Running Time: --

About the Album:
Comments here. Go to the DMDB page for more on this album.

Family Projects…Including More Crowded House (2010-2024):

In 2011, Neil formed the one-off Pajama Club with his wife Sharon. The next year, he contributed the song “Song of the Lonely Mountain” to the soundtrack for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Neil released another pair of solo albums with 2014’s Dizzy Heights and 2017’s Out of Silence before partnering with his son Liam for the 2018 release Lightsleeper. From 2018 to 2019, Neil served as a touring member with Fleetwood Mac. In 2021, Neil brought Crowded House together again, this time with his sons Liam and Elroy as members. They came together for another album in 2024.

The Pajama Club

The Pajama Club

Released: September 13, 2011

Peak: -- US, 154 UK, -- CN, 61 AU, 12 DF

Sales (in millions): --

Genre: adult alternative rock

Rating:

2.792 out of 5.00 (average of 18 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks:

  1. Tell Me What You Want (N. Finn, S. Finn, Sean Donnelly) [3:35] (8/5/11, 23 DF)
  2. Can’t Put It Down Until It Ends [3:51]
  3. These Are Conditions [2:38]
  4. From a Friend to a Friend [5:15] (7/1/11, 40 DF)
  5. Golden Child [3:18]
  6. Daylight (N. Finn, S. Finn, Sean Donnelly) [3:53] (10/3/11, 37 DF)
  7. Go Kart [3:46]
  8. Dead Leg (N. Finn, S. Finn, Sean Donnelly) [3:37]
  9. TNT for 2 [4:33]
  10. The Game We Love to Play (N. Finn, Sean Donnelly) [3:42]
  11. Diamonds in Her Eyes [5:16] (1/6/12, 22 DF)
All songs written by Neil Finn and Sharon Finn unless noted otherwise.

Total Running Time: 43:29

About the Album:
After reviving Crowded House for a couple of albums in 2007 and 2010, Neil launched a new project – the Pajama Club – in 2011. The band saw him working with his wife Sharon on bass and vocals with keyboardist Sean Donnelly. Guitarist Johnny Marr, best known for his work with The Smiths, guests on “Can’t Put It Down Until It Ends” and “Go Kart.” Allmusic.com’s Stephen Thomas Erlewine said the album was Finn’s loosest and most fun work since Finn, his 1995 album with his brother Tim.

Dizzy Heights

Neil Finn

Released: February 7, 2014

Peak: -- US, 22 UK, -- CN, 6 AU, 13 DF

Sales (in millions): --

Genre: adult alternative rock

Rating:

2.767 out of 5.00 (average of 12 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks:

  1. Impressions [4:36]
  2. Dizzy Heights [3:07] (3/31/14, 30 DF)
  3. Flying in the Face of Love (N. Finn, Sharon Finn, Sean Donnelly) [4:04] (11/11/13, 35 DF)
  4. Divebomber [4:52] (10/21/13, 40 DF)
  5. Better Than TV [3:34]
  6. Pony Ride (N. Finn, Sharon Finn, Sean Donnelly) [4:45]
  7. White Lies and Alibis [5:49]
  8. Recluse [5:27]
  9. Strangest Friends [3:18]
  10. In My Blood (N. Finn, Liam Finn, Elroy Finn, Connan Mockasin) [3:50]
  11. Lights of New York [3:33]
Songs written by Neil Finn unless noted otherwise.

Total Running Time: 46:54

About the Album:
Dizzy Heights was Neil Finn’s third album, but it was a definite family affair. After working with his wife Sharon in The Pajama Club, he brought her in on this album on bass and backing vocals. She co-writes a few songs with Neil and Sean Connelly, their other Pajama Club co-hort. Neil and Sharon’s sons Liam and Elroy are also on the album on guitar and drums respectively as well as background vocals. They also co-wrote with Dad on “In My Blood.”

Out of Silence

Neil Finn

Released: October 13, 2017

Peak: -- US, 71 UK, -- CN, 9 AU

Sales (in millions): --

Genre: adult alternative rock

Rating:

3.031 out of 5.00 (average of 11 ratings)

Tracks:

  1. Love Is Emotional [3:32] (29 DF)
  2. More Than One of You [2:53] (8/11/17, 29 DF)
  3. Chameleon Days [4:35] (23 DF)
  4. Independence Day [3:48]
  5. Alone (Tim Finn, Mervyn Peake) [3:08]
  6. Widow’s Peak (Sharon Finn) [3:25]
  7. Second Nature [3:50] (8/18/17, 24 DF)
  8. The Law Is Always on Your Side [2:23]
  9. Terrorize Me [4:13]
  10. I Know Different [4:14]
All songs written by Neil Finn unless noted otherwise.

Total Running Time: 36:00

About the Album:
Like Neil’s 2014 solo album Dizzy Heights, this was a family affair. Neil’s wife Sharon provided artwork for the album and wrote one of the songs. Neil’s brother Tim wrote and performed on “Alone.” Neil’s son Elroy played drums, percussion, and guitar.

Lightsleeper

Neil & Liam Finn

Released: August 24, 2018

Peak: -- US, 83 UK, -- CN, 21 AU, 13 DF

Sales (in millions): --

Genre: adult alternative rock

Rating:

2.578 out of 5.00 (average of 11 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks:

  1. Island of Peace – Prelude (Neil Finn) [2:44]
  2. Meet Me in the Air (Neil, Sharon, Liam, & Elroy Finn) [4:42]
  3. Where’s My Room [7:01] (1/3/18, 40 DF)
  4. Angel Plays a Part (Liam Finn) [3:01]
  5. Listen (Neil Finn) [3:27] (26 DF)
  6. Any Other Way [3:49]
  7. Back to Life [4:09] (6/5/18, 26 DF)
  8. Hiding Place [5:52]
  9. Ghosts [3:32] (8/2/18, --)
  10. We Know What It Means [6:25]
  11. Hold Her Close [4:12]
All songs were written by Neil Finn and Liam Finn unless noted otherwise.

Total Running Time: 48:57

About the Album:
After three albums pairing Neil with different family members, this one paired him with his son Liam, who shared billing on the album. Liam had previously released three solo albums and appeared on Dad’s Dizzy Heights album. In a review for The New Zealand Herald, Karl Puschmann said “Move aside Lennon/McCartney, we’ve got Finn/Finn.”

Dreamers Are Waiting

Crowded House

Released: June 4, 2021

Peak: -- US, 6 UK, -- CN, 2 AU, 14 DF

Sales (in millions): --

Genre: adult alternative rock

Rating:

3.339 out of 5.00 (average of 17 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks:

  1. Bad Times Good (N. Finn, Seymour, Froom, E. Finn, L. Finn) [3:41]
  2. Playing with Fire (N. Finn, Seymour, Froom, E. Finn, L. Finn) [3:27] (5/12/21, 25 DF)
  3. To the Island [3:59] (2/17/21, 27 DF)
  4. Sweet Tooth [3:12]
  5. Whatever You Want [3:22] (10/28/20, 1 DF)
  6. Show Me the Way (L. Finn) [3:43] (6/3/21, 32 DF)
  7. Goodnight Everyone (L. Finn) [3:30]
  8. Too Good for This World (N. Finn, Tim Finn) [3:39]
  9. Start of Something [3:20]
  10. Real Life Woman [3:48]
  11. Love Isn’t Hard at All (N. Finn, E. Finn) [3:02] (11/10/21, 30 DF)
  12. Deeper Down [3:10]
Songs by Neil Finn unless noted otherwise.

Total Running Time: 41:53

About the Album:
After an eleven-year gap, Neil Finn revived Crowded House. Nick Seymour was back in the fold, as always, and Mitchell Froom, who played keyboards and guitar on the first album, came back. To round out the group, Neil tapped his sons Liam and Elroy. Go to the DMDB page for more on this album.

Gravity Stairs

Crowded House

Released: May 31, 2024

Peak: --

Sales (in millions): --

Genre: adult alternative rock

Rating:

3.488 out of 5.00 (average of 7 ratings)

Tracks:

  1. Magic Piano [4:46]
  2. Teenage Summer [3:39] (4/11/24, --)
  3. The Howl (Liam Finn) [3:26]
  4. All That I Can Ever Own [3:04]
  5. Oh Hi [2:59] (2/8/24, --)
  6. Some Greater Plan (for Claire) (N. Finn, Tim Finn) [4:10]
  7. Black Water, White Circle [3:42]
  8. Blurry Grass (Neil Finn, Elroy Finn) [3:09]
  9. I Can’t Keep Up with You (N. Finn, L. Finn) [4:01]
  10. Thirsty (N. Finn, E. Finn) [3:30]
  11. Night Song [4:12]
Songs by Neil Finn unless noted otherwise.

Total Running Time: 40:40

About the Album:
Crowded House returned with their eighth album. It featured the same lineup (which included Neil’s sons Liam and Elroy) as the 2021 album Dreamers Are Waiting. Go to the DMDB page for this album.

Resources and Related Links:

First posted 7/13/2010; last updated 6/2/2024.

at
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)