拥挤的房子乐队 来自新西兰的Neil Finn，1985年率领一班杰出的音乐人，于澳洲组成Crowded House，在80年代未期至90年代间，写下一页辉煌动人的音乐历史。Crowded House的团员背景，让澳洲与新西兰的乐迷，都将之视为国宝引以为傲，然而他们的音乐成就却不仅限於上述两地。Crowded House曾经以《Don’t Dream It’s Over》与《Something So Strong》两支单曲，分别夺下美国Billboard排行榜第2名及第7名佳绩。更在1987年的MTV音乐录影带大奖上，一举拿下该年度“最佳新进艺人”。之后更以其清新流畅的作品，风靡欧洲与世界各地，是全球歌迷共同拥有的美好记忆。1993年英国女皇，更公开授予Neil与其兄长Tim Finn勋章，肯定两人在音乐上的成就。1996年发行的精选辑，同时空降澳洲与英国两地排行榜冠军，然而Neil却认为乐队成就已达到极限，同年忍痛解散Crowded House。1995年Tim Finn组成Finn Brothers，成为乐坛最为人称道的兄弟档组合，而Neil也积极发展其个人音乐事业。2005年Crowded House前鼓手Paul Hester自杀身亡，这个消息让众多乐迷心碎，不过却也让乐队成员有机会再度聚首。在解散长达11年后，Neil带领Nick Seymour、Mark Hart与新任鼓手Matt Sherrod，於今年(2007)推出乐队第五张录音室专辑《TIME ON EARTH》。这张作品同时是他们1993年后首张全新大碟，许多优秀乐手特地慕名助阵，其中包括The Smiths前吉他手Johnny Marr，他目前也是Modest Mouse的成员之一，此次他除了客串演奏吉他，也共同参与〈Even a Child〉的创作。而与The Dixie Chicks共同谱写的〈Silent House〉，先前曾率先收录在她们2006年发行的葛莱美奖获奖专辑《Taking the Long Way》中。此张《TIME ON EARTH》陆续在澳洲专辑榜与纽西兰iTunes榜上摘冠，在英国金榜也冲出第3名的佳绩，今年7月Crowded House获邀，在Live Earth雪梨场演唱会中登台演出，再再证明他们宝刀未老人气不减。毫无疑问地，Neil具备单打独斗的创作天赋，然而Crowded House这个名字，除了独树一格的的流行质感，还有那虽然略显怀旧，却无法取代的幸福与满足感。by Chris WoodstraAn institution in their homeland, a two-hit wonder in the U.S., and, during the last half of their ten-year career, bona fide stars in the U.K. and most of Europe, Crowded House recorded some of the best pop music of the late 80s and early 90s. Leader Neil Finns carefully crafted songs, meticulous eye for lyrical detail, and gift for melody are matched by few other songwriters.Crowded House formed in 1985 when Finn dissolved Split Enz rather than carry on after his brother Tim, the groups founding member, left to pursue a solo career. Instead of carrying through with the new wave direction of latter-day Split Enz, Neil moved in favor of a stripped-down, back-to-basics combo featuring ex-Enz drummer Paul Hester, bassist Nick Seymour, and guitarist Craig Hooper. Initially, the group dubbed itself after Finns middle name, touring Australia and recording demos under the name the Mullanes; Hooper was dropped shortly after this formative period. In June of 1985, the group headed to Los Angeles to shop for a record label, eventually signing with Capitol Records. Capitol requested that the band change its name, and the group settled on Crowded House, a reflection of the bandmembers living conditions in L.A. They began work on their debut, enlisting the help of then-unknown producer Mitchell Froom. A partnership between the band and the producer formed, making Froom nearly a fourth member. The partnership benefited both the band and the producer — the band was helped by Frooms direct approach and more American sound as well as his input as a musician, and Froom was able to build a career as a high-profile producer.Crowded Houses self-titled debut didnt gain much attention upon its release in the summer of 1986, due to insufficient promotion from Capitol Records. In wake of the weak support from Capitol, the bandmembers took matters into their own hands. Rather than setting out on an expensive large-scale tour, the group took a more low-profile route, playing acoustic sets for industry insiders and for small crowds at ethnic restaurants and in record stores. This unorthodox approach began a buzz within the industry. On the talk-show circuit, they won over American and Canadian audiences with their charm and wit as well as their wacky antics. By February of 1987, the album broke into the American Top 40, eventually peaking at number 12. The album spawned the number two hit single Dont Dream Its Over and Something So Strong, which reached number seven. In Australia and New Zealand, multi-platinum success followed.Released in 1988, Temple of Low Men was anything but a sophomore slump — Finns new songs were among his finest, showcasing a notable progression in his songcraft. The albums slightly darker material, however, made for a more difficult listen and, although the material was stronger, the record lacked the immediate appeal of the debut. This, coupled with Capitols lack of promotional support, led to disappointing sales — the album barely broke the U.S. Top 40 and the single, Better Be Home Soon, stalled at number 42. Since hope had basically run out for the album, they abandoned plans for a major U.S. tour. A three-month break in touring revitalized the band for a well-received Australian and Canadian tour, but by mid-1989 the band had effectively broken up.Late in 1989, Neil reunited with his brother Tim and the duo began writing songs together for the first time, with the intention of releasing the material on a proposed Finn Brothers album. The collaboration was successful and the duo was prolific, writing 14 songs in a very short time. After the initial sessions with Tim, Neil began working on a new set of songs, designed for the next Crowded House album, but he soon found the new material unsatisfactory. Neil decided to combine the better moments of the Finn Brothers project and the scrapped third album, adding his brother as a fourth member of Crowded House.Crowded Houses third album, Woodface, released in the summer of 1991, proved the decision to combine the material from the two scrapped records was sound — the album certainly represents their finest recorded moments. Although the choice of Chocolate Cake as a leadoff single was both misleading and off-putting to American audiences, effectively sinking the albums chances of success in the U.S., England and Europe embraced the band for the first time. After about six months of dormancy, they began charting in the U.K. and Europe with several singles, including the smash Weather with You. The British success of Weather with You helped Woodface achieve platinum status in the U.K. and led the group to several headlining concerts at Wembley Arena. Tim, for all of his invaluable contributions in the writing and recording of Woodface, proved extraneous to the bands live show. He left the band in November 1991, as the band was in the middle of its tour and just prior to its breakthrough success in England. Following the success of Woodface, both Neil and Tim were awarded OBEs from the Queen of England in 1993; the honor was bestowed for their contributions to the arts.In early 1993, Crowded House regrouped to record their fourth album, adding American guitarist Mark Hart (who had briefly toured with the band around the time of Temple of Low Men) to the band and dropping Mitchell Froom as their producer, opting instead for ex-Killing Joke member Youth. Together Alone was released in October 1993 (January 1994 in North America) to unanimously positive reviews and solid sales in every country except the United States. Upon its release, Together Alone entered the English charts at number four; at the time, Woodface was still in the U.K. charts. After the album was released, Crowded House embarked on a successful European tour. They were beginning an American tour when Hester decided to leave the band to spend more time with his new family. Hiring a session drummer, the band rounded out the tour, eventually returning to Australia.By the end of 1994, Neil decided to cut back on the touring to work on side projects, which included some production work for Dave Dobbyn and a second try at a Finn Brothers album with Tim. The Finn Brothers finally released their long-awaited duet album in the fall of 1995. In June of 1996, Neil officially broke up Crowded House. That same month, Recurring Dream: The Very Best of Crowded House was released, entering the U.K. and Australian charts at number one. After a handful of final shows in various locations, on Sunday, November 24, 1996, Crowded House played their official farewell show at the Sydney Opera House to 100,000 fans as a benefit for the Sydney Childrens Hospital Fund. In 1997, Hester formed a new band, Largest Living Things, releasing two EPs and playing regular gigs in Australia as well as hosting his own television show. Neil made his debut as a solo artist in June 1998 with Try Whistling This. In December 1999, Afterglow, an albums worth of Crowded House leftovers and rarities, was issued in Australia and New Zealand; the album was released in the U.K. during January of the following year. Neil continued recording both as a solo artist and as part of the Finn Brothers with Tim. In 2005, Hester, after years of battling depression, took his own life near his home in Australia. A year later, the archival release Farewell to the World captured the Sydney farewell show on both CD and DVD. In 2007, Neil reactivated the band with Nick Seymour, Mark Hart, and a new drummer, Matt Sherrod. The album Time on Earth followed soon after.