Crowded House

[SteveO]

I owned Temple of Low Men years ago on cassette !!!! Totally Brilliant album and Group !!!!!

CROWDED HOUSE "temple of low men" 1988.

the followup to the hugely commercial sounding self-titled set.
this one is the most un-commercial sounding album with Neil Finn in over a decade. and possibly his most darkest set of songs ever.
the subject matter deals with infidelity,jealousy,greed,control and all the bad things associated with relationships, even the albums title refers to men who will do anything for sex. i wouldnt say the subject matter is graphic but it is certainly confronting...so much so that when Neil's wife heard the album and more inparticular "into temptation" for the first time she was convinced he was having an affair!!!
this album does however contain quite possibly the best song Neil has ever written...the classic McCartney-esque "better be home soon", a simplistic acoustic track that reached #2 on the aussie charts.
Sister Madly is another strange one here, it just doesnt fit the album musically as its got a good upbeat jazz feel to it to liven up the album!
the music on the album is sweet layed back and mellow which is in total contrast to the lyrical content. and it is not one that is instantly likeable, but it does grow over repeated listenings to become one of the strongest collection of Neil Finn songs on one single album, very much like Neil Young's "tonights the night".
as a footnote, five tracks were lifted off this one as single releases(#'s 1,3,5,8,10).

I LOVE THIS ALBUM!


tracks:

1. i feel obsessed***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhhB4ztWFbQ video
2. kill eye**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBBwqXeMfyQ live
3. into temptation***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8U1gC2JilQ video
4. mansion in the slums**
5. when you come***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUP3XOa3yRs video
6. never be the same***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgKYh2Vh7VA audio
7. love this life**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1_Ody4BO...re=related audio
8. sister madly***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOMtIl7aM...re=related live
9. in the lowlands**
10.better be home soon***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQOlwMKpmvQ video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD8pMIH1puw live

3s=6
2s=4
1s=0

rating: 2.6