Crowded House Album: “Intriguer”

Finally and with little fanfare, "Intriguer" is here. Having seen two of the shows on the recent tour, there is no doubt that CH has gotten better with age. It will be criminal if this music is not heard by all. Many of the songs were previewed by the band in shows in America two years ago. As a collection, the songs are outstanding, well crafted, hooks galore, great vocals and the band sounds great. Neil Finn remains an amazing song writer and his voice, as he ages, has gained such depth and beauty. My only complaints are the length of the album (10 songs) and how many great songs that we heard on the tour, did not make the cut. That being said, Intriguer is outstanding. "Twice if Your Lucky" would have been a hit in the 60's, 70's and 80's but won't cause a blip on the charts today. "Even If" is one of most beautiful and endearing songs that Mr. Finn has ever written, and that is saying something. "Amsterdam" is remarkable in so many ways: in some ways it hints at what the Beatles would sound like today, great chord changes,lilting themes and dramatic vocals. The whole of "Intriguer" leaves the listener wanting more!

On the Deluxe version, the second disc has live recordings of most of "Intriguer" which are beautifully realized songs and some other goodies. Well worth the investment.

CH/NF fans understand the remarkable body of work that he has created. "Intriguer" bolsters Neil Finn's legacy as one of the best song writers and singers of our generation adn Crowded House as at the top of the pop music talent.

"Intriguer is another great album in the CH collection. The songs will endure and grow better with age. Try to catch the current tour for the chance to see a great live band. Do not miss them or Intriguer.

I love this album - it has gimmers of Crowded House's orginal incarnation, but def has a more modern and revamped feel to it; more akin to Time on Earth, but even better.

First of all, I should say that I have a personal bias. I am a Crowdie from way back and love virtually (I say virtually because they do have a few throwaways(Kill eye and Chocolate Cake)everything either Crowded House or Neil Finn has created. Neil is an absolute genius as a songwriter; often dark, often sunny, and always eloquent. Neil likes to paint pictures with words. A good example of that on this album is "Amsterdam" Makes me feel like I am walking those streets and canals with him. Neil does not say what's easy and trite. He is a creative wordsmith who does not stick to banalities but who challenges the listener to delve a little deeper. In "Elephants" he suggests that we are like elephants at the waterhole "and the alligator waits his turn" Sounds a bit strange until you listen to the song and then it makes perfect sense. Anyone but Neil would have said something like 'Someone will be out to get you" "Let's admit the world doesn't care about us" and the refrain "Sweet dreams, make waves, find bliss" Pure poetry. "Twice if you're lucky" is a great song but one that had to grow on me. It's probably one of the simpler, most accessible songs on this album for most people, especially those of us of a certain age. Neil's wife, Sharon, provides harmony vocals on two tracks "Archer's Arrows" and the amazing "Isolation" "Isolation" reminds me a bit of "Hole in the River" It starts as a ballad and ends up a psychedelic rocker and it is probably my favorite track on the album. Multi-instrumentalists Mark Hart and Neil go to town with the guitar at the end in a mind-blowing way on this track. The guitar reminds me a bit of "Fingers of Love" while remaining different from that track. "Saturday Sun" is a pop piece with a killer bass track by Nick Seymour. "Even if" sounds so much like McCartney you could be forgiven for thinking thast's who you were listening to, and I mean that as a compliment. The way it is constructed is a piece of genius. Again, the lyrics are amazing. "In the darkness from the stage; the sting in my tail" "Either Side of the World" and "Falling Dove" are nice tracks that are immediately accessible. "Falling Dove" is also McCartneyish. I was lucky enough to get to see CH twice in the last couple of months. Before the album came out in May in Glasgow, Scotland and just last week in Dallas. If you ever get the chance to see them live, do yourself a favor and go. You will just be amazed at the level of their musical ability. I have seen all the greats including Queen, Muse, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Paul McCartney and many more and CH are in that league. Their musicianship is extraordinary. Their albums are great, but live they just blow it out of the water. Intriguer takes a few listens to fully appreciate. Like the layers of an onion, each listen reveals a little more to the point that you find yourself nodding or saying to yourself "Ah-hah" If you have only listened once or twice and are not sure about it, find youself some time to be alone with it and really listen. Savor it like a fine wine. To this day, I am still discovering little gems in "Together Alone" and "Woodface" although I must have listened to each hundreds of times.

I am a huge fan of Crowded House and especially of Neil Finn's solo work (huge, HUGE, HUGE fan). But this CD left me very dissapointed. What happened?

Crowded House claim to fame is taking pop melodies and infusing them with insightful lyrics. With this incarnation, the lyrics are still somewhat insightful but the tune is no longer happy-pop but rather dreary, slit-my-wrist variety. I think Neil has been listening to too much dreary Brit music (Brit music goes with the weather but a Kiwi should never be dreary. Never. Ever). Put down the Coldplay and Radiohead, Neil, and come back from the dark side!

After listening to their best album to date: 'Time on Earth, (controversial I know, but the melodies are there combined with a depth of soul and expression that I have rarely seen equaled by any group)I hoped its follow up would continue in its footsteps.

Intriguer is a different sort of album. Initially it seems understated and difficult to get into and you're wondering where the sing along songs are.

But with a few listens the songs blossom into rich evocative and moving mini-epics. Like Time on Earth, the strong metaphysical element is present and it seems to me Finn is becoming a better and better song writer with age, not content to sing about platitudes, this man has something to say, his voice too just seems to get better.

For me, this and the last album reflect a renaissance of a great group into something which surpasses the charming pop group they used to be.

Hoping we will have many more years of Crowded House.

BTW saw these guys at Glastonbury 2008, and they managed to dispel the clouds on a gloomy Saturday when they played 'Weather with you'.... and the sun came out and stayed there all day.

These guys are more than just a band.