Ahead of their induction to the Australia Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame this fall--and 30 years after the release of their first of many stellar albums--Crowded House have unveiled a spectacular and thorough reissue campaign that sees the reissue of all of their albums as expanded CDs and heavyweight vinyl titles.
The project, which covers every one of their studio albums release between 1986 and 2010 (plus 2000's rarities album Afterglow), sees each album digitally remastered at Abbey Road Studios from the highest-possible resolution transfers of the original tapes. Each album will be housed in a "fan-deluxe" package featuring four panel flexitrays and 36-page books of liner notes in individual slipcases. And each title comes with a bonus disc featuring rare and previously unreleased bonus tracks personally selected by frontman Neil Finn from his deep archives. Altogether, more than 100 bonus tracks are available between the seven titles!
Formed by Neil Finn (vocals/guitar), Nick Seymour (bass) and Paul Hester (drums) from the ashes of Split Enz--the New Zealand-based New Wave group Neil's brother Tim co-founded--Crowded House had a gift for beautiful, sincere, dreamlike pop/rock tunes. Named for the trio's cramped living space in Los Angeles, Crowded House's self-titled debut earned a level of American success that Split Enz chased at the beginning of the decade. Worldwide hit "Don't Dream It's Over" topped the charts in New Zealand and Canada and reached No. 2 in America and No. 8 in Australia. Follow-up "Something So Strong" was also a U.S. Top 10 smash, and the group won their first three of 12 ARIA Awards (Best New Talent, and "Don't Dream It's Over" as Song of the Year and Best Video, the first such award).
Bizarrely, while they maintained international success at home and in England, Crowded House never matched their successful streak in America. But it wasn't for lack of quality output. 1988's Temple of Low Men featured moving tracks like the rousing "When You Come" and the beautiful ballad "Better Be Home Soon." Three years later, the homespun Woodface found the band expanding to a quartet with Tim Finn, and 1993's Together Alone (featuring a new quartet of Finn, Seymour, Hester and touring guitarist/keyboardist Mark Hart) may be their most ethereal work, recorded on Karekare Beach in New Zealand with producer Youth (replacing longtime producer Mitchell Froom).
Crowded House ultimately disbanded in 1996 with a compilation (Recurring Dream) and subsequent farewell concert on the steps of the Sydney Opera House. Finn pursued his own career, both solo and with brother Tim. Tragedy struck the original lineup when Hester hung himself in 2005; this loss caused Finn to invite Seymour and Hart to contribute to what would have been his third studio album, ultimately released as Time on Earth, a new Crowded House record, in 2007. A sixth album, Intriguer, followed in 2010.
In addition to the CDs, to be released November 4, brand-new vinyl editions of each album will be released. It's the debut on the format for Together Alone and Afterglow, and each album will adhere to its original Australian track lists (meaning Crowded House is a 10-track album without the recording of Split Enz's "I Walk Away" and Time on Earth is a double album with bonus tracks "Stare Me Out" and "Lost Island" added to the track list).
The band have also announced two "encore" shows at the Sydney Opera House for November 24 and 25--the former, amazingly, occurring 20 years to the day of the Farewell to the World gig.
Below, you'll find a comprehensive list of the bonus tracks and package notes. Currently, each album is up for sale at the band's brand-new web store, while Amazon U.S. links exist for the Capitol-owned vinyl titles (Crowded House through Afterglow). Don't dream--make these a part of your collection by pre-ordering below!
Crowded House: Deluxe Edition (Capitol/Universal Music, 2016)
LP: Amazon U.S.
Disc 1: Original album (released as Capitol ST-240555, 1986 - track 9 replaces Track 8 on Capitol ST-12485 (U.S.), 1986)
Features liner notes by longtime Crowded House fan club president Peter Green and new interviews with Neil Finn and Nick Seymour
- Mean to Me
- World Where You Live
- Now We're Getting Somewhere
- Don't Dream It's Over
- Love You 'Til the Day I Die
- Something So Strong
- Hole in the River
- Can't Carry On
- I Walk Away
- Tombstone
- That's What I Call Love
Disc 2: Bonus material
- Something So Strong (Home Demo)
- Hole in the River (Studio Demo)
- Love You 'Til the Day I Die (Home Demo)
- That's What I Call Love (Studio Demo)
- Can't Carry On (Studio Demo)
- Walking on the Pier (Studio Demo)
- Does Anyone Here Understand My Girlfriend (Studio Demo)
- Oblivion (Studio Demo)
- Walking on the Spot (Studio Demo)
- Something So Strong (Studio Demo)
- Now We're Getting Somewhere (Studio Demo)
- Stranger Underneath Your Skin (Home Demo)
- Don't Dream It's Over (Home Demo)
- Left Hand (Live)
- Grabbing by the Handful (Live)
- World Where You Live (Writing Demo)
- Recurring Dream (Original Version)
Temple of Low Men: Deluxe Edition (Capitol/Universal Music, 2016)
LP: Amazon U.S.
Features liner notes by album engineer Tchad Blake and new interviews with Neil Finn and Nick Seymour
Disc 1: Original album (released as Capitol ST-748763, 1988)
- I Feel Possessed
- Kill Eye
- Into Temptation
- Mansion in the Slums
- When You Come
- Never Be the Same
- Love This Life
- Sister Madly
- In the Lowlands
- Better Be Home Soon
Disc 2: Bonus material
- Whispers and Moans (Home Demo)
- Never Be the Same (Home Demo)
- Dream On (Home Demo)
- Never Been Gone (Rehearsal Excerpt)
- Think I'm Gonna Change (Home Demo)
- Into Temptation (Home Demo)
- Fire Will Keep Me Warm (In the Lowlands) (Home Demo)
- Love This Life (Home Demo)
- Sister Madly (Studio Outtakes)
- Mansion in the Slums (Live @ The State Theatre, Sydney - 8/25-26/1988)
- This is Massive (Live @ The State Theatre, Sydney - 8/25-26/1988)
- Love This Life (Live)
- In the Lowlands (Live)
- I Feel Possessed (Live)
- Burnt Out Tree (Live)
- Tambourine Man (feat. Roger McGuinn - Live @ The Pantages Theatre, Los Angeles - 4/7/1989)
- Eight Miles High (feat. Roger McGuinn - Live @ The Pantages Theatre, Los Angeles - 4/7/1989)
- So You Want to Be a Rock 'N' Roll Star (feat. Roger McGuinn - Live @ The Pantages Theatre, Los Angeles - 4/7/1989)
- When You Come (Live)
- Sister Madly (Live)
- Better Be Home Soon (Live)
Disc 2, Tracks 10-11 originally released as the B-side to "Into Temptation" - Capitol CP-2128, 1988
Disc 2, Tracks 16-18 originally released as the B-side to "I Feel Possessed" CD single - Capitol CDP 7 15490-2 (U.S.), 1989
Woodface: Deluxe Edition (Capitol/Universal Music, 2016)
LP: Amazon U.S.
Features liner notes by journalist Dino Scatena and new interviews with Neil Finn and Nick Seymour
Disc 1: Original album (released as Capitol 793559, 1991)
- Chocolate Cake
- It's Only Natural
- Fall At Your Feet
- Tall Trees
- Weather with You
- Whispers and Moans
- Four Seasons in One Day
- There Goes Go
- Fame Is
- All I Ask
- As Sure As I Am
- Italian Plastic
- She Goes On
- How Will You Go
Disc 2: Bonus material
- Burnt Out Tree (Home Demo)
- I May Be Late (Home Demo)
- She Goes On (Home Demo)
- As Sure As I Am (Home Demo)
- My Legs Are Gone
- You Got Me Going (Home Demo)
- Italian Plastic (Home Demo)
- Be My Guest (Home Demo)
- Weather with You (Home Demo)
- Chocolate Cake (Home Demo)
- How Will You Go (Home Demo)
- It's Only Natural (Home Demo)
- Four Seasons in One Day (Home Demo)
- There Goes God (Home Demo)
- Catherine Wheel (Home Demo)
- All I Ask (Home Demo)
- Fields Are Full of Your Kind
- Creek Song/Left Hand
- Fall At Your Feel (Early Version Rehearsal)
- The Burglar's Song - Around the U.K. in 7 Minutes (Live)
- I'm Still Here (Full Version)
Disc 2, Track 5 originally released on I Like It Rare Frenz of the Enz fan club disc, 2001
Disc 2, Tracks 9-13 from bonus disc included with "EMI Centennary" Edition of album - Capitol 72438 23098 2 6, 1997
Disc 2, Track 20 originally released as the B-side to "It's Only Natural" CD single - Capitol CDCLS-661 (U.K.), 1992
Disc 2, Track 21 released in edited form as hidden track on Woodface
Together Alone: Deluxe Edition (Capitol/Universal Music, 2016)
LP: Amazon U.S.
Features liner notes by journalist David Hepworth and new interviews with Neil Finn and Nick Seymour
Disc 1: Original album (released as Capitol 72438 27048 2 9, 1993)
- Kare Kare
- In My Command
- Nails in My Feet
- Black & White Boy
- Fingers of Love
- Pineapple Head
- Locked Out
- Private Universe
- Walking on the Spot
- Distant Sun
- Catherine Wheels
- Skin Feeling
- Together Alone
Disc 2: Bonus material
- Blue Smoke (Home Demo)
- Fingers of Love (Writing Demo)
- Private Universe (Home Demo)
- The Same Language As Me (Live)
- Tail of a Comet (Live)
- Distant Sun (Writing Demo)
- I Am in Love (Band Demo)
- Fingers of Love (Band Demo)
- Fingers of Love (Alternative Studio Take)
- Black and White Boy (Early Rough Mix)
- Locked Out (Zen Mix)
- Newcastle Jam (Studio Version)
- Convent Girls
- Zen Roxy
Disc 2, Tracks 10-11 originally released on The Kitchen Sink II digital album - NeilFinn.com, 2015
Disc 2, Track 14 originally released as the B-side to "Nails in My Feet" CD single - Capitol 8811772, 1994
Afterglow: Deluxe Edition (Capitol/Universal Music, 2016)
LP: Amazon U.S.
Features liner notes by journalist Pete Paphides and new interviews with Neil Finn and Nick Seymour
Disc 1: Original album (released as Capitol 72435 23722 2 5, 2000)
- I Am in Love
- Sacred Cow
- You Can Touch
- Help is Coming
- I Love You Dawn
- Livingstone
- My Telly's Gone Bung
- Private Universe (Acoustic)
- Lester
- Anyone Can Tell
- Recurring Dream
- Left Hand
- Time Immemorial
Disc 2: Bonus material
- I Am in Love (Home Demo)
- Instinct (Home Demo)
- Spirit of the Stairs (Home Demo)
- I'm So Scared of Losing I Can't Compete (Home Demo)
- Everything is Good for You (Home Demo)
- Not the Girl You Think You Are (Home Demo)
- Anthem
- I Don't Know You (Studio Demo)
- Taste of Something Divine (Studio Demo)
- Spirit of the Stairs (Studio Demo)
- Loose Tongue (Rough Mix)
- Instinct
- Everything is Good for You
- Not the Girl You Think You Are
Disc 1, Tracks 1 and 3 originally released as B-sides to "Nails in My Feet" CD single - Capitol 72438 81077 2 3 (U.K.), 1993
Disc 1, Track 10 originally released as the B-side to "Chocolate Cake" - Capitol 2590-2, 1991
Disc 1, Track 11 originally released as the B-side to "Now We're Getting Somewhere" - Capitol CP-1822, 1986
Disc 2, Track 2 originally released on The Kitchen Sink II digital album - NeilFinn.com, 2015
Disc 2, Track 7 originally released as the B-side to "Help is Coming" - The Vinyl Factory VF-155, 2015
Disc 2, Tracks 12-14 originally released on Recurring Dream: The Very Best of Crowded House - Capitol 72438 38396 2 9, 1996
Time on Earth: Deluxe Edition (Universal Music, 2016)
Features liner notes by journalist/record label veteran John O'Donnell and new interviews with Neil Finn and Nick Seymour
Disc 1: Original album (released as EMI 50999 503861 2 3/ATO Records 0037 (U.S.), 2007 - vinyl also features Disc 2, Tracks 8-9 after Tracks 7 and 10)
- Nobody Wants To
- Don't Stop Now
- She Called Up
- Say That Again
- Pour Le Monde
- Even a Child
- Heaven That I'm Making
- A Sigh
- Silent House
- English Trees
- Walked Her Way Down
- Transit Lounge
- You Are the One to Make Me Cry
- People Are Like Suns
Disc 2: Bonus material
- She Called Up (Home Demo)
- A Sigh (Home Demo)
- Here's a Note (Studio Demo)
- Purple Light (Studio Demo)
- So Dramatic
- Stare Me Out (Alternative Version)
- Distance Across (Studio Demo)
- Lost Island
- Stare Me Out
- Bound to Rescue (Home Demo)
- Don't Stop Now (Home Demo)
- Won't Be Silent (Home Demo)
- People Are Like Suns (Piano Version)
Disc 2, Tracks 5 and 13 originally released as the B-side to "She Called Up" CD single - Parlophone CDRS-6749 (U.K.), 2007
Disc 2, Tracks 8-9 originally released as the B-side to "Don't Stop Now" CD single - Parlophone 09643 97759 2 7, 2007
Intriguer: Deluxe Edition (Universal Music, 2016)
Features liner notes by producer Jim Scott and new interviews with Neil Finn and Nick Seymour
Disc 1: Original album (released as Universal Music 2740380/Fantasy FAN-32257-02 (U.S.), 2010)
- Saturday Sun
- Archer's Arrows
- Amsterdam
- Either Side of the World
- Falling Dove
- Isolation
- Twice If You're Lucky
- Inside Out
- Even If
- Elephants
Disc 2: Bonus material
- Only Way to Go is Forward (Live)
- Beautiful Life (Live)
- Either Side of the World (Live)
- Twice If You're Lucky (Live)
- Bound to Rescue (Live)
- God Lives Over the Road (Studio Demo)
- Isolation (Studio Demo)
- Better Things (Studio Demo)
- Even If (Take 1)
- Archer's Arrows (Alternative Version)
- Saturday Sun (Alternative Version)
- The Intriguer (Studio Version)
- Turn It Around
- Eyes Grow Heavy
- Two Minutes of Silence
- Nonsense of Course
Disc 2, Tracks 1-2 and 4-5 released on The Kitchen Sink II digital album - NeilFinn.com, 2015
Disc 2, Tracks 12-14 released on The Kitchen Sink: Rarities digital album - NeilFinn.com, 2015
Brian says
Looks like Universal Music U.S. may not be releasing "Time On Earth" or "Intriguer" domestically. They currently have an offer on their U-Music webstore for the remaining deluxe editions bundled with a Crowded House tote bag. I went ahead and preordered the full bundle of deluxe edition CDs via the band's webstore (which is Universal Music Australia) and even with the shipping from down under it was cheaper than the U.S. deal. In other words, be sure to shop around.
Murray says
You might check importcds.com as well. A lot of times, they have ridiculously low prices.
Brian says
No listings for the CDs at importcds as of yet. (However there are listings for most of the vinyl versions.)
Jim B says
I wish the bonus disc on the original album was a complete live gig from those first club dates. Dang, those shows were FUN!
Brian from Canada says
U-Music Canada doesn't have any of the titles, and it's cheaper to order all of the titles from Amazon — except Time On Earth, which is strangely not listed yet. I am hoping it's just a delay in getting the titles all listed because this is one set I don't want to have to pay high import costs to get.
Bill says
Thank you for the thorough rundown. Can't wait to get these; they're long overdue!
pete says
Universal Music U.S. is now selling all the albums - according to a sales email I got yesterday.