Crowded House, put simply, are a sterling pop band. The band was formed 25 years ago from the ashes of new wave hitmakers Split Enz ("I Got You", "History Never Repeats") by singer-songwriter Neil Finn and drummer Paul Hester. The two, according to Finn, "wanted to be in a three-piece band that could fit into one rental car." After adding Melbourne bassist Nick Seymour, the trio was complete. The trio burst out of the gate in the United States in 1987 with Top 10 hits "Don't Dream It's Over" and "Something So Strong," which remain the group's biggest American hits. From here, the band's global presence diverged wildly: while 1991 album Woodface propelled them to arena-rock status in the UK, Europe, and Australia, the group remained largely a club-level band in the United States.

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Upon arriving around 2:50pm, we found quite a bit of chaos. An unfortunate propane tank explosion had injured four ACL staffers, so fire trucks, EMS vehicles, and golf carts were buzzing everywhere. Our tickets were stuck with a friend inside, so we found a shady tree and hung out until the dust settled around 3:15. We entered to the wafting notes of Peter, Bjorn, and John, who had attracted such a huge crowd we... more ›

Formed from the ashes of Split Enz, Crowded House may well have been the best pure pop-rock group of their era. Twenty-two years after their beginnings in Melbourne, Australia, Neil Finn and Nick Seymour have brought back Crowded House's classic songwriting and effortless melodies via a new album and tour. The group disbanded in 1996 and has weathered the shocking suicide of founding member Paul Hester, the disconnect of distance (Finn lives in Auckland,... more ›

Floratone Floratone (Blue Note) The band is called Floratone, but given the fact that Bill Frisell is the guitarist, it's sort of impossible to leave that out of the title of this week's NRT. Frisell's history in the guitar world is long and impressive, and this collaboration with drummer Matt Chamberlain (a notable musician in his own right, having performed with everyone from Pearl Jam to Neil Finn) is another beautiful addition to his... more ›

Justice † (Vice) You might have familiarized yourself with French dance duo Justice courtesy the remix of Simian's "Never Be Alone", and such an introduction wouldn't be a false start, though the album is a bit different. Justice, who have received (mostly justified) comparisons to Basement Jaxx and Daft Punk, seem to shine when given someone else's work to toy with, but seem less dynamic when working from their own toolbox. This album claims... more ›

Crowded House released six studio albums during the course of their underrated career. Songwriter and vocalist Neil Finn regularly combined lyrical insight with pop-folk melodies to conjure up many almost classics throughout the band’s hey-day. Although we’re still smarting that “Fall At Your Feet” never broke into the Top 50 on US charts, we can now take comfort in Crowded House’s latest release, a double disc (and DVD) from their last show in Sydney... more ›

Brr! Good thing you're not at work today, there are some marginally interesting new releases this week for you purchase via the heavenly lady herself, The Internet. She won't freeze over on you, she won't keep you from your girlfriend's house tonight, and she won't cause you to wake up from a strange and unexpected four day weekend in an un-showered and groggy haze. Wait a second, yes she will! Crowded House Farewell to... more ›

We've a pair of tickets to give away for tonight's show at La Zona Rosa, featuring LA rockers Mardo and Kings X! more ›