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I’ve got “Crowded House” on the brain due to recently hosting a group of my kids’ friends for a weekend sleepover. With kids running around the house into the wee hours of night, I’ve come to the realization that “sleepover” is a misnomer. And needless to say, our home definitely felt like a crowded house this past weekend. ugh. and it’s not likely I’ll be allowing that again anytime soon.

So, speaking of Crowded House, they’re currently on a world tour in support of their latest album, Intriguer, which is set for release here in the states on July 13th. and right in time for the release, the group will be touring the U.S. from mid-July until labor day weekend.

Crowded House U.S. tour dates 2010

Fri 07/16/10 Buffalo, NY Erie Canal Harbor
Sat 07/17/10 Boston, MA House Of Blues Boston Presented By Foxwoods Resort Casino
Mon 07/19/10 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
Tue 07/20/10 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
Wed 07/21/10 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
Fri 07/23/10 Montclair, NJ Wellmont Theatre
Sat 07/24/10 Atlantic City, NJ House Of Blues
Mon 07/26/10 Vienna, VA Filene Center At Wolf Trap
Wed 07/28/10 Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckerd Hall
Thu 07/29/10 Miami Beach, FL Fillmore Miami Beach At Jackie Gleason Theater
Fri 07/30/10 Orlando, FL Hard Rock Cafe / Hard Rock Live
Sun 08/01/10 Atlanta, GA The Tabernacle
Mon 08/02/10 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium
Wed 08/04/10 Austin, TX Stubb’s Bar-B-Q / Waller Creek Amph.
Thu 08/05/10 Dallas, TX House Of Blues
Thu 08/19/10 Los Angeles, CA Club Nokia
Fri 08/20/10 Los Angeles, CA Club Nokia
Sun 08/22/10 San Diego, CA Humphrey’s Concerts By The Bay
Mon 08/23/10 San Francisco, CA Warfield Theatre
Tue 08/24/10 Saratoga, CA The Mountain Winery
Thu 08/26/10 Troutdale, OR McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheater
Sat 08/28/10 Woodinville, WA Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
Sun 08/29/10 Vancouver, BC Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Mon 08/30/10 Victoria, BC Royal Theatre
Wed 09/01/10 Edmonton, AB Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
Thu 09/02/10 Calgary, AB Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
Sat 09/04/10 Apple Valley, MN Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater
Sun 09/05/10 Chicago, IL House Of Blues
Mon 09/06/10 Chicago, IL House Of Blues

(more…)

you know, I’ve found that I have to be in a certain mood to listen to Time on Earth by Crowded House. I’ve been listening to the new album off and on for the past month and as it so happens, Neil Finn’s songs come to life only when you’re in a certain frame of mind. at other times, the album just feels flat. overall i must say, the album doesn’t really fall under the “classic” Crowded House category. the songs just don’t grab and take hold of you like past gems (i.e. “Don’t Dream It’s Over” and “Weather With You”). But when you’re a bit melancholy, put the headphones on and turn on the CD and songs like “Silent House” and “A Sigh” seep deep into your soul and will break your heart. the ghost of Paul Hester’s death loom heavily throughout the material with lyrics like – I’ve been losing some faith, we used to cry, we used to say why for all I know I might not get home and Who do we become without knowing where we started from, it’s true I’m missing you and I stand alone inside your room.

there are some songs that do come close to what you’d call accessible like “Don’t Stop Now”, “She Called Up” and “Even a Child” but for the most part the album is dark and melodically restrained. essentially the album will need your full attention in order to get the most out of it. none of that passive, in the background-type listening will do. so even though there are some weaknesses here, it doesn’t mean that the new album isn’t worth a listen. just sit back, dim the lights, close your eyes and let Neil Finn’s hauntingly dark songs wash over you…

TRACK LIST:
1. Nobody Wants To
2. Don’t Stop Now
3. She Called Up
4. Say That Again
5. Pour Le Monde
6. Even A Child
7. Heaven That I’m Making
8. A Sigh
9. Silent House
10. English Trees
11. Walked Her Way Down
12. Transit Lounge
13. You Are The One To Make Me Cry
14. People Are Like Suns

Here’s the link to the Don’t Stop Now music video.