Any Tim fans not so keen on Crowded House?

Just for the record I'm a big fan of both.

That's a tricky one though, I think it may depend upon how the individual got into Tim's music, those that were originally Split Enz fans tend to follow both and obviously those that got into Crowded House first are more likely to follow both rather than just Tim. Not too sure if there are many that discovered Tim without being aware of his SE and later CH connections.

I personally think that there will be people that prefer one to the other, but not that many that like one and not the other.

I think that Neil has a larger fanbase, but his biggest fans tend to really like Tim as well, also I wouldn't be surprised if Tim hadn't picked up some fans from the Finn Brothers tours also, as it may have been the first proper chance for some of Neil's fanbase to really appreciate Tim (obviously I'm not counting the Woodface album as to the casual listener Crowded House has always been more Neil's than Tim's).

I would have to say I'm much more of a Tim fan than CH or Neil when it comes down to it, and have endless arguments in our house over who's the best. Whilst I don't mind CH and Neil, and really enjoyed the webcast the other week, I often get fed up with it. I was into Tim's stuff before I heard Enz, Neil or CH. Now I would say my faves would be Tim, Phil and the Enz. The new CH stuff I'm not sure about - love Silent House but there were a couple of new songs I can't even remember from the webcast that didn't do a damn thing for me.

I liked Crowded House and enjoyed Neils first CD,but didn`t much care for One Nil.
Since I purchased my first Tim Finn solo CD which was Before and After and then the rest including his latest;I rarely listen to any Crowdy stuff as it doesn`t inspire me,infact when Tim sang a few songs off Woodface at The Lowry I thought they where the worst songs of the night but I still sang along to them!
I`d still probably go to a gig if the crowdies play the MEN or Apollo in Manchester.

Started with Tim & Split Enz. Thought Split Enz went off after Neil joined (but they were trying to find that commercial vein). Loved early Crowded House much more than later stuff (even Woodface). Loved Finn. Loved Everyone is Here even more. Loved Tim's early solo stuff; thought he went off big time after Before and After; utterly delighted that Imaginary Kingdom is such a fabulous return to form. I can't stop playing it so, at the moment it's Tim. In fact it always has to be Tim. He started it all - if we didn't have Tim we wouldn't have Neil.

I think that last comment is a bit harsh. if Neil did'nt have talent and potential, Tim would not have asked him to join The Enz in the first place, it sounds like what you are saying is that if Neil had'nt been in Split Enz he would be an unknown in music which I disagree with 1000%.

Yes, he was given a great head start and helped hugely at a young age but.

Anyway this is not the place for that.

Finngirl I think that Scrapman was trying to say that he preferred pre-Neil Enz. I don't think that the comment was a dig at Neil's career.

Anyway back on topic.
As everyone here probably knows by now, the first Finn thing I ever got was Escapade and Tim has remained my favourite Finn guise. That's not to say I don't like Neil's stuff...Crowded House is probably still my favourite band and One Nil is a brilliant album.

quote:

Originally posted by AGM155:
Finngirl I think that Scrapman was trying to say that he preferred pre-Neil Enz. I don't think that the comment was a dig at Neil's career.

There are other ways to get the exact same message across, without saying something that may offend. Scapman's comments even made me see red upon first glance.

*looks around... spots a Mod*
Okay that's enough off topic stuff.

quote:

Originally posted by N.F.ADDICT:
There are other ways to get the exact same message across, without saying something that may offend.

Yes, it is very easy to offend sometimes, isn't it, especially when it involves one versus the other.

I enjoy all of the music - equally I suppose but I don't really measure it. Tim came first with Split Enz, he was the first real idol to me whom I adored as a young girl so his music is always special. Neil joined and I loved him too (how could you not!) and then continued on with Crowded House after so I followed. I'll always love their music solo or together or with other bands - I guess I'm more a Finn fan.
I'm sure there are people who've only known one or the others stuff or prefers one to the other and hey, that's cool. All I say is do yourself a favour and have a listen to all of the Finn's music. You may like it or not. A lot of it is intricately linked so it turns up at all sorts of shows!!

I do believe though that even if big brother's band had never got off the ground, Neil Finn would still be force in music today - no question.

quote:

I do believe though that even if big brother's band had never got off the ground, Neil Finn would still be force in music today - no question.

Me too. I have wondered on various occasions where Neil might have ended up with After Hours or if it weren't for the Enz would we have even seen Crowded House or even the Finn Brothers albums? I think the inclusion of Neil in Split Enz was a much bigger thing than everyone must have thought at the time. (And bringing it back on topic-ish now) Tim's career has been influenced by Neil and vice versa, so as Kazzie said, all the guises of Finn are definately worth a listen, because even if they are all different to varying degrees, there are also some commonalities to be found throughout.

Not much to add to what's already said, because people have already added what I was going to say about Neil joining Enz having influenced him initially, but I believe Tim once said that he was sure Neil would have ended up doing something on his own anyway.

I don't like Crowded House and Neil's solo material as much as Split Enz and Tim Finn, but they still rate very highly for me.

What I tend to find is that far more people who prefer Tim still have a lot of respect and interest in Neil and his music, whereas I know of many people who prefer Neil who have little or no interest in Tim or Split Enz (especially pre-Neil Enz, or songs not written by Neil). I'm not making an absolute generalisation here, because it's far from always being the case, but most Tim fans I know also own all of Neil's and Crowded House's material, whereas I cannot say the same about many Neil fans regarding Tim's solo work and Split Enz. I also know of a number of Neil fans who only saw Split Enz tour in Australia last year because he was in there - there were varying degrees of this taking place but it certainly happened. Would I do the same if it were Tim playing with Crowded House? Probably, but I'd just as likely go to a show or two regardless, just not go to the lengths I have to see Tim and the Enz.

Lot's of valid points and I agree with most. I certainly agree with you there Mummakook about Tim fans generally being more receptive to Neil's music than possibly the other way round. It kinda agrees with what I said earlier and that was that the bigger Neil fans tend to be more receptive to Tim's music than those that are more casual listeners to Neil's material.

I can only talk about how I've noticed things here in Britain, and that is that Crowded House were really big, the Enz never really took off over here, although I Got You was a hit and History Never Repeats (both Neil led though) also charted.

However, the Finn Brothers did do really well and from what I've noticed Tim's latest album and tour have also done well over here, so I think that Tim's possibly gained a few more fans in the UK because of the Finn Brothers, which is great.

I got into Crowded House first, then the Finn Brothers (1st album) and Neil's solo albums, then I turned to Split Enz and Tim's solo albums along with various other offshoots and have never been disappointed, it's been like a journey of discovery, starting with the most familiar and safe path (CH), then moving warily into lesser known territory (FB & NF), then discovering some real gems (SE, TF & Phil Judd, etc.). All great stuff.

Hmmm, just thought that last little bit sounded like I'd become an explorer - Dr. Livingstone I presume (OK, I know it's a Crowdies song, but seemed apt).

For me, it depends on the song, but in general I find myself playing Tim and Neil solo albums more often than Crowded House, and Finn Brothers also more than Crowded House, but not as much as Tim and Neil solo.

Over the piece, I prefer Neil as a songwriter, but Tim as a live act.

Having said that, I think Tim's 'classics' are more numerous than Neil's 'classics', but that notion switches quite often. I also prefer Tim's 'epic' compositions; his big songs, but think that Neil writes more subtle ballads.

File under 'rambling fan'

From what I can see most people seem to like both Tim and Neil, perhaps one more than the other.

It sort of makes sense - both of them write melodic, lyrically clever music, and both had the same musical influences growing up. They also both have (or had, in the case of Tim) outstanding singing voices It's definitely very subjective as to who is the better songwriter, unless you base your conclusion on records sold.

Like most others here, I have a favourite Finn brother, but what's clear to me is that it's almost impossible not to enjoy the music of both brothers because there are so many common points of interest and similarities.

quote:

Originally posted by Azzza:
I certainly agree with you there Mummakook about Tim fans generally being more receptive to Neil's music than possibly the other way round. It kinda agrees with what I said earlier and that was that the bigger Neil fans tend to be more receptive to Tim's music than those that are more casual listeners to Neil's material.

Thanks for the support, Azzza, but I have mixed feelings about your conclusion. I know some big Neil fans who do still love Tim's work, but his albums, sometimes even go out of their way to attend his concerts. However, I also know several big Neil fans whom I've considered to be good friends and been utterly taken aback when they won't even give Tim a second look (or rather listen). I've offered them an opportunity to listen to his stuff to get to know it better (just as I like to hear the rarer Neil stuff that I am not in such a hurry to own) but they decline, saying that they just can't get into his stuff (based, I assume, on the few solo songs they know of his and perhaps his Enz songs. Sad but true.

After seeing Tim perform in Dublin weekend before last, I could honestly say I wouldn't be as excited about seeing Crowded House perform live. When it comes to live performance, few can come close to Tim when he's on form, and he's really on form at the moment.

That said, there's not a Crowded House, Split Enz, Finn Brothers, solo Tim or solo Neil album that doesn't have some exceptional material on it, and I'll be continuing to listen to it all.

Those Finns weren't behind the door when the musical genes were being handed out.

Hi all! What can I say.It's always been Tim for me. I enjoy Neils work post Enz, and am always prepared to add it to my cd collection...but I do so out of a "loyalty" thing I think. You know, anything Finn is good enough for me.
This is my very first posting after being an observer for so many years. So please be gentle ;-)

Welcome carvedinmarble

Thankfully I don't fall into this category. I'm a Tim girl first and foremost and always will be. But I have all Crowded House's CD's and all Neil's solo work. I buy it because I genuinely love Neil's music (whether its in SE, CH or solo).

Bottom line is I'm a Finn Fann (I think Kazzie made that comment to). I would probably be interested in anything that either of them did in any context, its just that Tim is my favourite.

For me, any Finn is good Finn, whether it's Tim, Neil, Liam or Elroy

I started as a Tim fan at 12/13 when True Colours was released. Since then I've always been more of a Tim girl.

When it comes to SE I love the early stuff, after Neil joined I seem to prefer the Tim songs to Neils. However, I do like the Finn Bros, Neils solo stuff (esp. One Nil) and Crowded House
(strangely enough I am not a great fan of woodface now though).

This is a really good thread and the majority of answers are showing that most people like both brothers, with a possible personal favourite of one over the other, which is only natural.

I'm really glad that this seems to be the case. If I was made to choose and I mean really made to I'd probably say Neil (mainly due to Crowded House), but that said I do prefer some of Tim's songs to some of Neil's and I'm equally excited when either has something new out. Also I would happily go to see either of them live (be it Split Enz, Crowded House, Finn Brothers or solo).

I think that we're all really fortunate in that here we have a group of musicians (not just the Finn's, but Phil Judd, et al) that make consistently good music.

I second that Azzza, most of us have our favourites but we all respect each others music - and they are all so good, even if something isn't your cup of tea, you can still appreciate it.

From the very first notes of DDIO I fell in love! It started for me as just a CH house thing and then as I learned more about the group I started expanding my collection to include the ENZ and later on Neils solo Stuff and also Tims
Now I also listen to Betchadupa. It's a growing and evolving thing,but I do have to say Finn or not I wouldn't listen if I didn't like it.
My fave tho has got to be Neil. My favorite song has got to be LOOSE TONGUE.

We need to be careful to keep this thread on topic.

For me it started with Tim's Fraction Too Much Friction. I was only 12 then, but I instantly loved the song and I really wanted to hear more from the guy with the big radio on his shoulders. So I did, and from there it was Crowded House, Split Enz, Finn Brothers, Neil solo etc.

I love them all, but if someone really made me choose I would always prefer Tim. Maybe because I got to know his music first and he was the start for all things Finn for me? Maybe I would like Crowded House or Finn Brothers or Neil most if they were the first I heard? Does that make any sense?

quote:

Originally posted by lamb:
I love them all, but if someone really made me choose I would always prefer Tim. Maybe because I got to know his music first and he was the start for all things Finn for me? Maybe I would like Crowded House or Finn Brothers or Neil most if they were the first I heard? Does that make any sense?

Yeah. It does make sense because I also tend to follow the one whom I heard first and the one responsible for the music I fell in love with a long time ago compared with the other whom at first I didn't even know existed.

It's not that I'm not so keen on Crowded House, it's just that I actually see them as quite different. To Tim, I mean. So I don't see it as an either, or, neither, nor situation.

I know the Finns have a great deal of music in common, but they also have long stretches of solo work; I find it odd when friends of mine think I'm a crowdie (not that there's anything wrong with that ) and into all things Neil, when I actually like Tim's music. Different musicians.

quote:

Originally posted by hk:
I know the Finns have a great deal of music in common, but they also have long stretches of solo work; I find it odd when friends of mine think I'm a crowdie (not that there's anything wrong with that ) and into all things Neil, when I actually like Tim's music. Different musicians.

Yes that is intersting that people assume that, isn't it.
I remember a couple Enz fans I'd known who really loved the old stuff. When Crowded House were starting up, I assumed they'd join us but they didn't - it wasn't that they didn't like them - they just didn't get "into" them that much.
Like I said, you can go one way or the other or spread yourself around. Music is like that. All kinds for all tastes.

"For me, any Finn is good Finn, whether it's Tim, Neil, Liam or Elroy"

Poor Sharon, evidently just a vessel

Love her chandeliers and artwork!

In response to my comment, I am myself more of a Tim fan then a Neil, Liam or Elroy fan, I'm totally addicted to the Tim Finn and Before & After albums. Escapade was my introduction to Tim, but it's a bit 80s and poppy. So I gave the Tim Finn album a go and it grew on me. I just have to get Before and After! said by brain after that.

P.S. My introduction to the Finns was Mental Notes.