Crowded House
Farewell to the World

(Capitol)

First Appeared in The Music Box, September 2007, Volume 14, #9

Written by Kirk deCordova

Sat September 1, 2007, 06:00 AM CDT

It’s difficult to consider seriously the pop-rock scene of the late 1980s and the early 1990s without paying a measure of attention to Crowded House, one of the creative forces of the era. Although it is known as a "two-hit wonder" in the United States — a title that it earned after scoring huge successes with Don’t Dream It’s Over and Something So Strong — the Aussie-based band — led by New Zealander Neil Finn — dominated the European and Australian pop charts for a full decade. Farewell to the World is the recording of what was to be Crowded House’s final live performance. Staged on the steps of the Sydney Opera House on November 24, 1996, all of the group’s energy, presence, humor, and attitude came through its music to create a memorable event not just for the 120,000 fans that attended the show but also for "Crowdies" worldwide.

Not surprisingly, the concert spanned the career of Crowded House. The group not only delivered the aforementioned hits from its self-titled debut, but it also culled material from its sophomore outing Temple of Low Men (Better Be Home Soon), its spectacular third effort Woodface (Weather with You, Fall at Your Feet, Italian Plastic, and Four Seasons in One Day), and what was then the band’s last album of new material Together Alone (Private Universe and straight-ahead rocker Distant Sun).

Farewell to the World — be it the CD or DVD edition — presents the concert as it occurred, and it’s easy to sense the interplay between Crowded House and its fans. The audience is responsive, often singing along with the group, and Crowded House gives a nearly flawless performance that doesn’t fail to satisfy the faithful throng that had assembled in Sydney. During the evening, much to the delight of the assembled crowd, ex-band mates are called onto the stage to join in the performance, alongside Neil Finn, Nick Seymour, Mark Hart, and Paul Hester.

Farewell to the World is a must-have set for Crowded House fans the world over, but even casual observers of the outfit will be pleased with this historic concert. Though the show originally was intended to be the final hurrah for the band, it now serves as a prelude to the future. Crowded House recently reunited for a new album Time on Earth and an accompanying tour, thus providing proof that goodbye doesn’t always have to mean forever.

Of Further Interest...

The Church - Sometime Anywhere

Shawn Colvin - These Four Walls

Tears for Fears - Everybody Loves a Happy Ending

Farewell to the World is available
from Barnes & Noble. To order, Click Here!

Ratings

1 Star: Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!

Copyright © 2007 The Music Box