Crowded House
Time On Earth
(ATO, 2007)

Mention Crowded House to any music fan familiar with the group and a smile is likely to light up his or her face. The endearing group, primarily led by ex-Split Enz member Neil Finn, is best known for buoyant and infectious pop sometimes in the vein of the Beatles. One of the groups to rescue pop music from the tinker-toy sounds of the vapid posing of ‘80s new wave, Crowded House reminded listeners that great pop music was imbued with artful songcraft with their eponymous debut in 1986.

After four albums the group split in 1996 and now returns on a sad note, spurred on to make an album as a sort of tribute to one of its three founding members, drummer Paul Hester, who committed suicide in 2005 at the age of 46 after a long bout with depression.

Crowded House always had an unsettling undercurrent, both musically and lyrically, that belied its sunny songs, particularly on its second album, Temple of Low Men, and its fourth, Together Alone. Both the group’s debut and its third album, Woodface, which was the one album that also included Neil’s brother Tim, also formerly of Split Enz, featured more rousing upbeat pop songs that thankfully never came across as wimpy.

Suprisingly, considering the death of Hester, this new album still has plenty of joyful pop; yet the specter of their former bandmate’s suicide hangs heavy over many of the album’s themes, growing more reflective and melancholy as the album moves on. This tricky balance—celebrating the joys of our short time on earth and trying to make sense of Hester’s death—creates an album filled with tension and beauty that in the hands of lesser songwriters and musicians would have come across as confused and morbid.

Since the group’s demise, the individual members have pursued many different projects, including the Finn brothers recording and touring together. Given the 11-year absence and the personnel changes, it’s remarkable that the group seems to have not missed a beat and has virtually picked up right where it left off. The heart of the group is still Finn’s sweet commanding vocals and deft songwriting. Finn is joined by longtime founding member bassist Nick Seymour, keyboardist Mark Hart, who joined the band on its last album, and new drummer Matt Sherrod. Ethan Johns and Steve Lillywhite produced the album. The group primarily worked with Mitchell Froom and Tchad Blake on its first three albums, and its fourth was produced by Youth.

The opening track, “Nobody Wants To”, is understated, effortlessly graceful pop music at its best. Guitar hooks abound even more on “Don’t Stop Now”, with guitar from former Smiths member, Johnny Marr. “She Called Up” is deceptively simple, with an often queasy, sometimes madcap feel that reflects a world slightly askew. The song is almost like a blueprint on how to write a great song. “Say That Again” is also simple and effective, and a Beatle-esque feel is evident on the piano-based “Pour Le Monde.” Marr’s jangly guitar is even more pronounced on “Even a Child”, which he co-wrote with Finn. The second half of the CD finds the group growing more emotional, as on the mournful, nearly dirge-like “Heaven That I’m Making”, which was obviously written with Hester in mind and which has a nice sitar sound. The mood continues on the ethereal “A Sigh”, which sounds like it was conjured from a dream. “Silent House” may be the most surprising track on the album, given that it was co-written by Finn and the Dixie Chicks. It features fuzzy guitar and an overall textured sound. Again there are some Beatle-esque touches on “English Trees” and some pure pop on “Walked Her Way Down.” “Transit Lounge” is another surprise in its late-night, electronic-based production and sounds like a cross between the old Mark-Almond Band and Air. “You Are the One to Make Me Cry” also has a late night feel and is filled with lush strings. The album closes with the sad and mournful “People Are Like Suns.”

This is quite an album. Considering the long time between LPs, the group has come up with a solid return to form and navigated the rough terrain between exhibiting its unique pop skills and lyrically honoring a fallen mate. Perhaps this tragedy will have one good outcome: bringing about a full return to recording and touring for one of the more underrated and talented groups of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.

Listen: Various Tracks [at myspace.com]