Something so strong for Crowded House

"It’s true I’m missing you," Neil Finn sings on Crowded House’s fifth studio album, and first in 14 years, Time on Earth.

The song is "Silent House," written with the Dixie Chicks — whose own version appears on last year’s Grammy Award-winning Taking the Long Way. It’s one of several Time on Earth tracks reflecting on the 2005 death of the band’s drummer Paul Hester.

But Finn’s lyrics could just as easily concern fellow bandmates bassist Nick Seymour and multi-instrumentalist Mark Hart since the group’s 1996 split.

The trio is reunited and bolstered by new drummer Matt Sherrod on Time on Earth, released July 2 internationally through Parlophone/EMI and July 10 in the US on ATO Records. "We’ve fashioned a beast that carries the name quite well," Finn says. "There’s a real sense of unity that comes from the new lineup."

Despite the decade-plus layoff, the band retains major appeal in Europe and Down Under. However, US sales have diminished since its self-titled, RIAA-certified platinum Capitol debut in 1986. The band scored five top 10 hits on The Billboard Hot 100, including the 1987 No. 2 Don’t Dream It’s Over.

ATO GM John Biondolillo says the label’s initial efforts will focus on an aggressive multiformat broadcast campaign for the forthcoming radio-only single "Don’t Stop Now."

Prior to Time on Earth, Finn and Seymour teamed up for a DVD commentary on a live CD/DVD release (Farewell to the World) of Crowded House’s last presplit show in Sydney in 1996.

Finn also invited Seymour to play on what should have been his third solo album, produced by Ethan Johns. However, in the studio, Finn says Crowded House’s name kept cropping up. "We were both thinking it felt like a band record," he says. "But we couldn’t do anything without a new drummer."

Enter Sherrod, from Beck’s backing band. With Hart back onboard, the quartet recorded four new tracks with producer Steve Lillywhite, bringing in former Crowded House producer Tchad Blake to remix other songs.

London-based Parlophone managing director Miles Leonard calls the result a "very contemporary" album that is "classic Crowded House, with some very strong melodies — what it’s been recognized for over the years."

London-based Internet product manager for hmv.co.uk Grahame Davidson says those melodies ensure catalog interest for Crowded House, which "definitely has a platform" to relaunch its career. "We’re expecting significant demand," he says. "And downloads could play their part in connecting the band to a whole new audience."

Leonard says online activity, targeted TV/radio spots and extensive touring will drive EMI’s global marketing efforts.

"They [recently] did a webcast from the recording studio," he says. "Neil feels very strongly about online activity — keeping in touch with the fan base."

The band played UK/Irish festivals in June and Sydney’s Live Earth concert July 7. Biondolillo says national US TV appearances will coincide with a 27-date North American tour through the William Morris Agency, starting Aug. 4 in Northampton, Massachusetts. International shows are scheduled through December, booked by Creative Artists Agency (UK).

After that, Finn wants to hit the studio again.

"There’s a real spring in our step as a band," he says. "I’ve got a bunch of new songs and want to ride the momentum we’ve got." — Nielsen Entertainment News Wire


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Something so strong for Crowded House