Comments for Crowded House, Temple Of Low Men

The second album from the New Zealand/Australian combo, with a moodier, darker tone than the effervesent first. Stomping tracks like "When you come" and "Kill eye" keep the pop interest, whilst "Better be home soon" and "Into Temptation" provide ample opportunity for weepie/reflective moments. Didn't sell as well as th first album in England, but all other countries took notice and the live prowess of the band became recognised. The remain as one of the true modern-day innovators of live performance. It contains the word "Kitchen" in "I feel possessed", which is a reoccuring theme in all four albums so far, due to Neil's love of visual imagery. The kitchen is the centre of most peoples lives!

The 2nd album by CH brought a richer sound to the band's effort, but they still played hilarious live shows. Drummer Paul Hester was the wildest of the three and the funniest. Interesting stories behind some songs here include "Into Temptation", apparently Neil Finn's impression of the power of sexuality and his Catholic faith clashing. Neil would later add that the line about "knowing full well the Earth will rebel" was about earthquakes (?) Another song, "When You Come" was once described by Paul who explained that while camping out on the coast, it was constantly raining and so being stuck in a tent, what else are you going to do but...perhaps this explains the song's imagery of oceans and exploding stars. Other than the title, I never found this song to be lurid...

As noted, the album is not as "poppy" as their first; it seems that Neil is exploring some darker or more haunting territory ("Into Temptation", "Mansion in the Slums", I Feel Possesed"). But his uncanny knack for writing incredibly hooky melodies is still evident, making this album a must own for any pop fan. If anything, it is (in my opinion) their best album to date. "Woodface" is a very close second, "Crowded House" a close third, but "Together Alone" falls way below what they are capable of.

In some ways, I am in full agreement with some of the commentators as far as this album is concerned. I also regard "Temple..." as the best album Crowded House did (fair enough to say this in restrospect of the split in June '96) but the standard set by this album was met closely by it's subsequent follow-ups. From the opening, "I Feel Possessed" through to the closing moments of "Better Be Home Soon", there isn't a duff moment on this album. Neil's lyrical reflectiveness has not been equalled since, and the standard of musicianship is truly second to none. The level of personal drama that Neil exhibits in his writing is what really makes this album stand out. I must have listened to this record more than 5 times a week since it came out (over eight years ago!) so something should have registered by now, but in general it's safe to say simply that this is a damn fine album, and I've heard none better, before or since.

ONE OF THE MOST UNDERRATED BANDS AND ALBUMS OF ALL TIME. THEY ARE THE THIRD BEST AUSTRALIAN EXPORT BEHIND FOSTER''S AND PAUL KELLY.DAMN, I FORGOT TO INCLUDE NICOLE KIDMAN,RACHEL HUNTER, AND ELLE MACPHERSON. OK, THEY ARE THE SIXTH BEST AUSTRALIAN EXPORT EVER, BUT MUSICALLY THEY ARE THE SECOND BEST.