Retro Spins: Crowded House - Temple Of Low Men

With the success of their debut, lead writer, Neil Finn was tasked with the difficult duty of crafting an equally powerful follow up album. However, this would be no small feat. Knowing this, the band even opted for the title, "Mediocre Follow Up", just so expectations wouldn't be set so high. Ultimately, they would land on Temple Of Low Men.

At least this time, the lack of backing from their label wouldn't be a factor, and heavy promotion would occur. Sadly, the end result was that critically, and sales wise, lightning wasn't destined to strike twice for Crowded House. While Temple would be successful in New Zealand and Australia, it didn't garner the international success of its predecessor. Singles from the album didn't fare any better beyond their native borders.

A short tour would follow across Australia and Canada, and joining on keyboards would be Split Enz alum Eddie Rayner. He would be replaced after the tour by Mark Hart, who would go on to become a full member of the band. Arguments would also ensue between founding members Neil Finn and Mark Seymour, which would result in the latter being fired, but returning after a month.

As for my time with Temple Of The Low Men, sadly, I can keep this one relatively short, and to the point. It's not very noteworthy or memorable. By song five of the ten track album, I still hadn't heard anything worth writing home about. Certainly, nothing was getting added to my shuffle list. Much like their debut, the word "mediocre" resonates in my head. It's not good. It's not bad. It's just, meh.

Then, out of nowhere, the brakes get slammed on. Track eight, Sister Madly, comes out of nowhere, and kicks me in the teeth. Grabs my attention. Gets my toes tapping, and my head bopping.

This momentum carries over into the following song, In The Lowlands. While a good thing, it's also disappointing at the same time. Where was this charisma and charm on the prior songs? More of this, please! In hindsight, this is very much the Split Enz sound, and I like it very much.

Overall, I wish Temple were more like track eight and nine, and less like...Well, what it was. It tells me the potential for this album could have and should have been more than what it ended up being.

I defer to my own personal opinions because they clearly don't dictate the success the band has achieved. While the group would disband in 1996 after a farewell tour, since their 1986 debut, they would have four consecutive platinum albums. Split Enz founder, and brother, Tim Finn, would even join the band briefly, and be part of their 1991 album, Woodface.

Tragedy struck in 2005 when founding member, Paul Hester, would take his own life by suicide. Following this, Nick Seymour would reunite with the Finn brothers for a tribute concert to their friend. This would lead to the reformation of Crowded House, and the 2007 platinum album, Time On Earth.

Nick Seymour and Neil Finn have continued the legacy of band since then, and remain among the few 80's artists to continue strong through present day. Their latest album, Gravity Stairs, was released in 2024 with Finn's sons Liam and Elroy on multiple instruments, along with Mitchell Froom on keyboards. Something so strong, indeed!

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Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
May 24, 1980

 

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
May 24, 1986

Retro Spins: Crowded House - Crowded House

If you've been keeping up with the past several Retro Spins, did you see this one coming?

With the disbanding of Split Enz in 1984, Neil Finn and Paul Hester would continue to work together, going on to form the band, The Mullanes, with bassist Nick Seymour in 1985. The name of the group would eventually transition to Crowded House prior to their 1986 self titled debut album releasing. This was a result of their label, Capitol Records rejecting the name, as well as their alternative, Largest Living Things. The name was a result of the very small apartment the band was cramped into when flown to Los Angeles to record the album.

Because of their connection to Split Enz, Crowded House came on the scene with an already established following. However, much like the final album for the Enz, the label failed to see this potential, and under promoted the group. This relegated them to playing small venues at first.

They would achieve major success across the globe, lead by their signature singles, Don't Dream It's Over (peaked at number 2 on Billboard), and Something So Strong (which would peak at number 7). They would also find minor success with the single, World Where You Live (which peaked at 65).

While the initial New Zealand and Australian releases of the record encompassed ten tracks, when released in other countries, it was expanded to eleven, including an altered version I Walk Away. This track was originally featured on Split Enz final album, See Ya 'Round. Additionally, the original track listing was re-ordered, and the song, Can't Carry On removed.

EMI would re-release the debut after the success of the band's second album. However, this time the international releases would include the original track listing, as well as I Walk Away. Though I've looked, I have never found anything to confirm that the ten track listing "original" US version was ever released on CD. Everything I see has the revised eleven.

Though I initially jumped headlong into this album upon finishing my run through of every 80's Split Enz release, I had to turn it off at track three. At that point, it was just too much Neil Finn for my ears. Mind you, I listened to these all in one single day.

After taking a day hiatus, I returned to Crowded House, started it over, and got back to work on this post. The break was a good thing, mainly for my sanity. However, I won't necessarily say it changed my initial opinion.

What I heard from the first few tracks was just okay. Nothing special, nothing memorable, but also not necessarily anything bad. Mediocre, I suppose, is the word I would use, and mediocracy isn't what I need more of on my shuffle list. It's already crammed full of tracks I skip most days.

The hits, Don't Dream Its Over, and Something So Strong, will always be the stand out tracks on the album, and I don't hate it for that. They're amazing songs, and frankly, I'd be happy to have just those two in the end, if that's all I was going to get. We are, after all, talking about a CD that at most will and should cost you a buck. If that's not money well spent for music, I don't know what is.

Ironically, the track initially removed from US pressings of the album, Can't Carry On, was one I did enjoy the most out of everything beyond the hits. I also went ahead and grabbed the reworked I Walk Away. I wouldn't say it's better than the original Enz version, but it resonates as familiar, which gives it the pass to make the cut.

Overall, tmy listening session neither deters nor excites me to hear more from the band. Admittedly, this could possibly be impacted from a little fatigue from my Split Enz marathon.

Acclaimed with a number one record, Crowded House were now tasked with the difficult job of creating a  successful follow up. Did it fare well with critics, the general public, and will it be a hit or miss for me? Well, you'll have to come back next time for that answer. Unless you don't care. In which case, thanks for at least reading up to this point.

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Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
May 23, 1981

 

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
May 23, 1987