Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Crowded House at the Birmingham NEC, 3rd December 2007.
Any band that decides to reform, record and tour after a long layoff (11 years in the case of Crowded House), inevitably will face problems in the live arena. Not problems in being unable to play (certainly not the case here), but in what to play. If, for instance, the Floyd (Hi there Mark!) decided to reform and tour a new record, do you think that the shouts for "Comfortably Numb" would drown out the new songs? I think that it would. Or maybe Floyd fans are more patient than most?
Crowded House released a new album "Time On Earth" in July. It's very good and, quite rightly, went top 3 in the UK. Obviously the guys wanted to play some of those songs live, and they did.
I don't think the (typically) apathetic crowd at the Birmingham NEC were particularly bothered about the new songs. Maybe that's to be expected, but they remained impatiently glued to their seats until the band kicked into "It's Only Natural". Then they were on their feet and dancing and all was right with the world. Really right with the world. Maybe the band should have started with something like "Chocolate Cake" or "Locked Out" ? I think so. Get 'em going straight away.
I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll write the guys a letter. My advice is always sought by discerning individuals.
Anyway, minor gripes aside, Crowded House were just spectacular. Just wonderful. The third time I've seen them in 15 years (the first two times only 6 months apart) and still brilliant. Still purveyors of superior, emotional and evocative pop music, and a fine line in audience participation.
How's this for some of the songs? Not in any order and I have missed a stack out.
"Distant Sun", "Weather With You", "Better Be Home Soon", "Into Temptation", "Don't Dream It's Over", "Locked Out", "It's Only Natural", "Pour Le Monde", "Fall At Your Feet", "There Goes God", "Italian Plastic" (which they dedicated to Paul Hester), "Four Seasons In One Day", "Pineapple Head".
You know those songs, and if you don't, what the hell is wrong with you?
Apparently Crowded House are going into the studio next year to record a new album, so no doubt another tour will happen when that is released. I hope so. I will be there even if my Brother may not. He vanished during the encore, saying that he had to go to the toilet. 8 lagers will do that to you.
Any band that decides to reform, record and tour after a long layoff (11 years in the case of Crowded House), inevitably will face problems in the live arena. Not problems in being unable to play (certainly not the case here), but in what to play. If, for instance, the Floyd (Hi there Mark!) decided to reform and tour a new record, do you think that the shouts for "Comfortably Numb" would drown out the new songs? I think that it would. Or maybe Floyd fans are more patient than most?
Crowded House released a new album "Time On Earth" in July. It's very good and, quite rightly, went top 3 in the UK. Obviously the guys wanted to play some of those songs live, and they did.
I don't think the (typically) apathetic crowd at the Birmingham NEC were particularly bothered about the new songs. Maybe that's to be expected, but they remained impatiently glued to their seats until the band kicked into "It's Only Natural". Then they were on their feet and dancing and all was right with the world. Really right with the world. Maybe the band should have started with something like "Chocolate Cake" or "Locked Out" ? I think so. Get 'em going straight away.
I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll write the guys a letter. My advice is always sought by discerning individuals.
Anyway, minor gripes aside, Crowded House were just spectacular. Just wonderful. The third time I've seen them in 15 years (the first two times only 6 months apart) and still brilliant. Still purveyors of superior, emotional and evocative pop music, and a fine line in audience participation.
How's this for some of the songs? Not in any order and I have missed a stack out.
"Distant Sun", "Weather With You", "Better Be Home Soon", "Into Temptation", "Don't Dream It's Over", "Locked Out", "It's Only Natural", "Pour Le Monde", "Fall At Your Feet", "There Goes God", "Italian Plastic" (which they dedicated to Paul Hester), "Four Seasons In One Day", "Pineapple Head".
You know those songs, and if you don't, what the hell is wrong with you?
Apparently Crowded House are going into the studio next year to record a new album, so no doubt another tour will happen when that is released. I hope so. I will be there even if my Brother may not. He vanished during the encore, saying that he had to go to the toilet. 8 lagers will do that to you.
Labels: Gigs
# posted by Pynchon @ 4:40 pm 
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It's interesting to see how popular Crowded House is in the UK. Here we just know them for "Don't Dream It's Over." Glad the show was fun!
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