Review of Crowded House : Recurring Dream
Limited Edition Release featuring a Bonus 15 Track Live CD.

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Your latest reviews - Crowded House : Something so strong...
There are many a strange, unknowable mystery to be found in this universe: is there a god, what are we here for, why so many people actually voted for George W. Bush, etc. But the big stumper my mind is set on right now is why didn't any number of the tracks that appear on Recurring dream: The Very Best of Crowded House become huge hits in the U.S. (aside from 'Don't Dream It's Over' and 'Something So Strong')?
We're supposedly the biggest country in the world; why aren't they household names, taking their place alongside bands such as the Cars and the Police as the greatest pop/rock band of the 1980s? Honestly, I don't get it.
Indeed, I've come to the conclusion that the other, older countries in the world that embraced Crowded House (specifically the U.K.) are just smarter than we are. This crazy idea first jumped into my mind when I found that my favorite band of all time, the Beach Boys, "America's Band", was way, way more popular and appreciated in Europe than here in the States. We Americans INVENTED Rock and Roll; you'd think we'd know better. But alas...
Actually, I have to admit to something: I was one of those Americans that only heard 'Don't Dream It's Over' (sublime, I thought) and 'Something So Strong' (perfect, I marveled). The latter song became my favorite of the two, boasting such smile-inducing beauty and effervesence that it blew my mind. What the heck was up with this band? I had to find out.
A big part of me (the music geek in me) considers it bad taste to buy greatest hits compilations before investing time and eardrums to a band's original albums first. Another part of me recognizes compilations as neat little samplers and/or a way to sum up an artist's extensive and most excellent work. With that in mind, I decided to buy Recurring Dream and dip a toe into a wide melodic ocean I'd only caught glimpses of before. I was dumbfounded to find that the other 17 tracks on this CD that I'd never heard before ranged from beautiful spires of melody and harmony to emotional, evocative songwriting with the knack of stamping their brilliance on my brain forever, leaving me humming choruses and verses for days on end. Neil Finn, thy name is genius. Believe me, I try not to throw this word around too much; I've only christened Brian Wilson and John Lennon so. No doubt they've earned it, and for me, one listen to songs like 'Fall At Your Feet' or 'Private Universe' seals the deal for Neil (poetry!).
Still, 'Something So Strong' remains my favorite of all these gems. It shines the brightest, and makes me break out in a wide grin whenever I hear it. The aforementioned 'Fall At Your Feet' and 'Private Universe' plus 'Distant Sun', 'Instinct' and 'Better Be Home Soon' also rate high for me. I'm so in love with 'Instinct' that it's managed to overtake 'Don't Dream It's Over' in brilliance to sit at 2nd favorite, right there behind 'Something So Strong'. Who'd have guessed it?
I don't have tons of space left (I'm really hogging this page), so let me just say that there isn't a weak track or false moment on the entire album. It all ranges between very good ('Mean To Me', 'Everything Is Good For You') to astoundingly wonderful ('I Feel Possessed', 'World Where You Live').

If you love good, intelligent, melodic pop songs and well-written to boot, then I heartily recommend this collection. Unlike those mysteries of gods or presidents, they won't disappoint you.

"And it's a pleasure that I have known/and it's a treasure that I have gained" --Crowded House, 'Private Universe'.