CD Review
Crowded House
Farewell to the World
10th Anniversary Edition
It's difficult to seriously consider the pop-rock scene of the
late 1980's and the early 90's without a measure of attention paid to
one of the creative forces of that time, Crowded House. Although known
as a "two hit wonder" in the United States for their hits, "Don't Dream
I's Over" and "Something So Strong," the Aussie-based band led by New
Zealander, Neil Finn, dominated the European and Australian pop scene
for a full decade. Farewell to the
World is the recording of what was to be Crowded House's final
live performance. Staged on the steps of the Sydney Opera House on
November 24, 1996, all of the band's energy, presence, humor and
attitude come through to create a memorable event for the 120,000 fans
that attended the show and for "Crowdies" worldwide.
The concert spans the career of Crowded House from the band's
self-titled debut effort with the aforementioned hits, to the follow up
album, Temple of Low Men and
the hit, "Better Be Home Soon," through the spectacular Woodface and
its prime cuts of "Weather With You," "Fall At Your Feet,""Italian
Plastic" and "Four Seasons in One Day" and finally to the band's last
album of new material, Together Alone
with the haunting "Private Universe" and straight-ahead rocker "Distant
Sun." During the show, it's easy to sense the interplay between band
and fans. The crowd is responsive, often singing along with the band,
and Crowded House gives a nearly flawless performance that doesn't fail
to satisfy the faithful throng assembled in Sydney. During the evening,
ex-band mates are called up to the stage to join in the performance
alongside Neil Finn, Nick Seymour, Mark Hart and Paul Hester to the
delight of the crowd. Farewell to
the World is a must for Crowdies the world over, but even the
casual fan of Crowded House will be pleased with this historic concert.
Even though "Farewell" was intended to be the final hurrah for the
band, Crowded House has recently reunited for a new album, Time On Earth, and an accompanying
tour set for the summer of 2007. Perhaps there will be one last
farewell from the band.
-Kirk deCordova
dallasmusic.com
staff writer