New Album

Interesting

Don't get me wrong - no one hopes this is true more than me,  but there is no confirmation that the "band" is indeed Crowded House... 

Maybe its totally wishful thinking, but to me, the person (bubble) on the left, closest to whomever took the picture, looks like Nick Seymour... the other person on the right (blue trunks) , could be Matt.

It's true that there is no confirmation, but there's no reason why it can't be Crowded House (and family) in the picture.

Neil's upcoming solo dates, in no way have to be related to whatever album he's recording these days. Realistically, and based on history, this album probably won't see the light of day until much later in the year (if we're lucky).

Hi, everyone! Great news, indeed. Fingers crossed for next CH album, not only CH is my "favorit Neils child", but it means that we from south/east Europe can hope to see some touring near Croatia. maybe in 2017./18.   hipiyeyyeyeye

And another mystical question is: who is producer? We all know how important is that, specially on Neils albums.

Greetings to all you, fans, stay well

I don't have time to dig for it now, but Neil said fairly recently (radio interview I believe) that he was primarily focused at the moment on both a solo project, and a project with Liam. (this was AFTER another interview where he claimed he was working on 'everything' and wasn't sure what would emerge next)

So it's one of those two things.

It's not Crowded House. Sorry, I wish it was too.

Yeah, I think I read it too. But, you never know with Neil. Still hoping it would be at least Finn Brothers record, for touring sake. Solo projects or with Liam, who has in Europe status "who???" means only few dates in UK, which is too far and too expensive journey for me. And, for new record speaking, I would mostly love to hear new CH, honestly. 

I'll take whatever he offers. Nothing he's released since 1995 matches the quality of those first four CH albums and, to be honest, I find there's little difference between the two newer CH albums and his solo stuff. If he wants to work with Mark and Nick, that's fabulous and I welcome it wholeheartedly. But equally, if he's got a new band on board, I look forward to whatever they produce immensely as well. I thought his last touring band was super.

BRANDO BRANDT posted:

Maybe its totally wishful thinking, but to me, the person (bubble) on the left, closest to whomever took the picture, looks like Nick Seymour... the other person on the right (blue trunks) , could be Matt.

I looked at it and I am affraid, Brando, you see what you want to see (like we all do)... I see Megan Fox and Charlize Theron in those bubbles

Just as an update, Neil has just posted this image on facebook... Coincidence?

Crowded House Guitar

https://www.facebook.com/neilmullanefinn/?fref=photo

It could also be a hint about the upcoming CH reissues.

this is happening... 

I've been saying "guys, the new album is NOT Crowded House." I guess it's possible I'm wrong about that, but I'm thinking brownie is right that the CH guitar thing is about the reissues.

I think we might just find that the person closest on the left in the bubble is a Mick as opposed to a Nick (and probably a foot taller than Nick, but also pretty handy in a rhythm section...). 

Well, if it is Crowded House I would say there would not be a lot of talk about it.

I can't see any reason why it would not be, its been a while since the last two now, and they were very laid back records, I definitely think that because that 5th album never got made the band are keen to make something to revive the groups musical direction, and the reissues would be a good reason for that too.

Neil and Liams solo albums were not being recorded till much recently so...

Yes I would say it is Crowded House, after all how could your instincts be wrong? 

Using their time wisely, so they can put it out without all the rush I would say.

Herbalife, you cant even imagine how I wish you are wright!

Not only that to me Neil is his best in whats hes done with CH - later listenings of Noncence of course and Loose Tounge from CH Deluxes  proved to me once more how much better even same songs sounds with CH than in solo projects , but also they (CH members) except Matt are or allmost in their 60s, so if we are looking at two solo albums (one of them with Liam) and one project with Tim after, when the next CH will be? In their near 80s? Will they have enough will and energy for that than, if they wont have now?

Plus, add to that I really dont have high expectations for that Liams colaboration thing, plus add to that any tour without CH wont be probably outside UK, which is too far and too expensive to me, you cant imagine any fan luckier than me if CH record is next.

But, I am affraid than it just wont be. As I recall media news from time of CH reunion for concerts in Sydney in 2016., they were practicaly each on his corner of this world before that concerts, and they were separated shortly after. I really hope I am wrong, but I cant see where and when they could record new album together.

I think the Liam and Neil album will be very good. 

But a new Crowded House album would be even better, their best in a long time, or Neil Finns best anyway.

And if they do a new album I would say it would be Mark and Neil and the other two perhaps not until they do some shows. They would have no problem using session musicians. It wouldn't matter that much.

They would not be leaving it to far into the future I don't think, I think because of the re-releases and reunion shows they probably would of knocked an album together early last year sometime to be put out sometime very soon. Perhaps later this year possibly.

And I don't know why your going on about them being in their 80s, if they aren't 60 yet...

Its just a shame they didn't reconvene 5 years later in 2002 or 2003 perhaps for a new record rather than leaving it so long. A missed opportunity.

I don't even know why they split up anyway, the should of just done two more records then called it quits, and they would probably be just reforming now. No one would mind I don't think.

Spirit of the stairs, Anthem, Taste of something divine, Instinct, not the girl you think you are, I'm so scare of losing, I don't know you like I thought and Everything is good for you are all easily I think their best collection of songs.

So I don't know if I would prefer if they recorded those ones for a new record or wrote all new songs. I'd like to hear them finished properly.

I never knew anything about a Tim Finn project, that is news to me.

All I knew is there was possibly another Neil Finn solo record and one done with his son.

I would say a Crowded House album would be first, after the first one I just mentioned.

To me (and with plenty of hindsight), Crowded House split up probably for a couple of reasons;

1. Neil had a young family back then, probably was tired of travelling and being away from them for long periods and his oldest friend had left. 

2. At that stage had been in bands for approaching 20 years and was worn down by the routine of write, record, promote and tour. 

3. Wanted to change almost for the sake of change. Try whistling this was/is a fabulous record. If you remember in those days the music press was tending towards Neil Finn as a modern day Beatle songwriter. 

I got so excited when I saw the New Album thread but I suspect with Liam having recently become a Dad, I'd be surprised if we get any record this year - perhaps a Neil solo record in the autumn.

I'm kind of in the place that so long as Neil continues to write and record, I don't really care what badge the disc comes with!! It does at least keep it interesting ��

Herbalife posted:

 

Spirit of the stairs, Anthem, Taste of something divine, Instinct, not the girl you think you are, I'm so scare of losing, I don't know you like I thought and Everything is good for you are all easily I think their best collection of songs.

 

 

I agree that they could have made an amazing album based on these. I've made it a playlist and listen to it often. Still don't think it is better than Together Alone, but a very solid base.

We've been promised two albums this year so much, that I will be very disappointed if things are delayed. It would seem that one needs to come soon, it would be odd to have them come out close together and then try to promote both.

I have high hopes for the Neil/Liam one, I enjoy much of Liam's work, though it has decreased a bit (to my taste, anyway) with each album. I'm hoping that working with Dad will get him back to the more melodic feel of I'll Be Lightening. I'm also hoping that it will be very much a family project, instead of a bunch of studio musicians backing them. I can't imagine Elroy not drumming for it, and Harper has been supporting Neil a lot on keys. I would love to see every family member involved in some way. I really can't think of a more talented musical family, period.

I really don't think the other will be CH. They WON'T go back to the above mentioned songs, and with the Nick Lunay work coming out on the deluxe reissues, I think that ship has sailed, too. So any new CH would start from scratch, and Neil just doesn't seem to me to be heading in that direction.  

Glad to see some discussion cranking up, the forum has been awfully quiet lately.

I think between the songs written for Finn, Try Whistling This and the songs that have appeared on Afterglow / Afterglow deluxe, c1994 to 1996 was a purple patch.

Id be curious to know what Neil thinks but sure I remember him saying that the Afterglow 2nd CD might be his Crowded House favourite (even if he doesn't do favourites)!

I wonder if the next record will be a scrap book / compilation of sorts that collect the best of the new songs written in the last 2 or 3 years - solo songs and collaborations with Liam, Tim and Mick Fleetwood???

Generally and sadly it feels as though the era of LPs / albums may be passing! 

Steve Shealy

I'm also hoping that it will be very much a family project, instead of a bunch of studio musicians backing them. I can't imagine Elroy not drumming for it, and Harper has been supporting Neil a lot on keys. I would love to see every family member involved in some way. I really can't think of a more talented musical family, period.

 

I feel the opposite. Neil's last few records, PJ Club and Dizzy Heights, have been dominated by his family. He's been playing with them in some capacity several years now, including his touring bands, so I'd say it's time for a change, time to get out of the family bubble and welcome outside collaborators again. In terms of musicians on his records he hasn't done major outside collaboration with non-family members since The Sun Came Out in 2009.

Obviously the album with Liam is a family affair, but I hope his solo record is not so much. At least we know Mick Fleetwood drums on some tracks.

The fact Neil said at the Sydney concerts "No - beginning of a new era" when someone yelled out "End of an era" and some odd messages about recording says a lot to me.

Who could predict the reissues coming out? Had someone not demanded it? In which it was given away early last year? And then the message was removed because of record label "concentration", as always.

I find it interesting someone thinks their is a Crowded House album already recorded, and if Neil does think that the second Afterglow cd on the re-release is his favorite its probably because he saw a lot of potential in that "to be or not to be" album.

So do I, that album would of saved music for the next 10 years at least let alone the band.

So if that is true, that is great to hear (in the hope those songs may get a proper studio pressing)

The Liam and Neil album is something that was always gonna happen because Neil looks for new ideas, and Liams been at it in bands and writing for a while now.

So his experience as a song writer is growing, which can only be a good thing. And positive for the future too, particularly one day in 20 to 30 years we will have to see the end of Crowded House and someone will have to take over.

Much closer to my age as well.

But I'd just like to say, having a beard doesn't make you a better musician, just a much hairier one.

Is there any news about the new Neil Finn album?

It's been 38 months since the last release of all new Neil Finn material. 41 months is the record (from One Nil to Everyone Is Here). Average wait time between Neil Finn albums is 30 months. So we must be getting really close to something!

Surely the Liam and Neil record will be first. That is what its shown has been worked on so far by video.

I am betting a Crowded House album comes before a Neil Finn solo album, since he did one not so long ago.

I'm no psychic, but I am telepathic.

Really, there is no new Crowded House album. Any time he's been asked about it in the last few years, even during their Encore shows, Neil said something like "the band's up on blocks in the garage," as in not broken up but in storage for now. On the other hand he HAS talked about an album with Liam, and vaguely about a solo-ish album. All available information says there is no Crowded House album recorded or in the works, can we put that to bed?

My theory is that the non-Liam album has something to do with the live project he recently did with Glenn Kotche and Andrew Bird and the chamber orchestra. That could explain all those bubbles.

Maybe...

But chances if their is a Crowded House album it would not be mentioned I don't think.

You believe everything you read? Surely not.

I read in the Christchurch Press Neil doesn't believe in an afterlife.

Well how come he sings about God and names of real demons??

Does he mean a new life? Or another different life after this one?

Or reincarnation?

The questions are simply endless...and on they will go.

And the earth could be flat too! I was only talking about it last night to some very boozed up mates of mine. Perhaps if they were not boozed up they might of found the answer. 

The only Crowded House album I think that will be released is the anniversary show from last year. 

I think Neil will be quite happy to play live with Crowded House much like he does with Split Enz but I don't really think there will be a new Crowded House album.

i hope there will be a new record in the autumn - perhaps the one with Liam (assuming it is convenient with Liam and family) but more likely the solo one which utilises songs recorded with Mick Fleetwood last year. It isn't impossible to think that we might see a 3rd Finn brothers record or a Pajama club record or some form of record which collects the best bits of all new work in the last couple of years?? That might even provide the chance to put forward any new Crowded House work completed since Intriguer??

You can never tell what will really happen. But my instinct (har har) is that a new Crowded House album is sooner. I don't see why Neil would want to do another solo album right away (his own one) - because he already has just done a fairly carefully crafted one.

I feel his interests is another Crowded House album after the Liam Finn album he is joining in on (which will be very interested).

And yes, it has been 7 years since the last album, so there must be some Crowded House music laying around or worked on somewhat.

We need to grasp reality a bit here. I don't see why they would re-release all their albums or do 4 separate shows that have been done on a much bigger scale if they didn't have something planned soon.

Why would they re-release their albums and do live shows? IT WAS THEIR 30TH ANNIVERSARY.

You're spouting a lot of hopeful speculation that is flatly contradicted by information we already have. Nothing else to say really. Your fantasy sounds nice, but that's all it is.

I am fairly certain that Neil has mentioned an album with Liam, a solo album, and some sort of project with Tim as things he has been working on/thinking about.  Absolutely no mention of Crowded House.  Sorry Herbalife, I agree with Slowpogo.

I think we can be pretty sure that there is no new Crowded House album in the pipeline (as much as I would love one).

The album Neil was referring to recording in his Twitter with the bubble football was definitely not Crowded House. The tweet coincided with when we know Mick Fleetwood was staying with him. Mick spoke a bit about staying with Neil and drumming on some songs at a Meet and Greet session before one of his gigs. He mentioned he was going back to do some more recording after his gigs. So we know there was at least a month spent in the studio in March/April last year that involved Mick Fleetwood. Liam was also heavily involved in those sessions, as Mick referred to how talented he is as well.

So last year we know for sure Neil was in the studio recording new songs, writing with Liam on new songs, talking at the very least with Tim about a new venture, doing a bit of promotion around the Crowdie deluxe issues and doing the SoH Encore shows - The only way there will be a Crowded House album coming out of all that activity is if he decided to get some of the guys to play on his solo album songs when they were over in Nov and decides to rebadge it as Crowded House (like he did with Time on Earth). Given the known involvement of Mick Fleetwood and Liam I doubt that will happen though.

I think the most likely scenario is we will see a solo album with some interesting collaborations get announced soon and then a bit later in the year the Neil and Liam album may come out. Or both albums may end up being merged into one (as Neil sometimes does).

I think that Neil views Crowded House in a similar vein to Split Enz now - its on the blocks but can be brought back to life when it feels right. I also get the feeling (as per the Enz) it will be for gigs and not for recording new material but would be happy to wrong! For that matter, I would love one last Enz album too!

Late last year was an absolutely fantastic time for Crowded House. The deluxe bonus discs were more than I had ever hoped for and the SoH gigs were brilliant.

Neil is never one to dwell too much on the past so I think in 2017 Neil will be focusing on getting out the new songs he recorded over a year ago now. Hopefully it won't be too far away - as Painoporo pointed out, it has now been 38 months since Dizzy Heights!

Yeah, I'm pretty certain that of all the things Neil has worked on, a CH album isn't one of them.

Now everyone is cornering me and I am the rat?

Well I am a rat of intelligence. 

Oh come on!  No one called you a rat and I don't think anyone thinks you're a rat!  

All we've done is point out that what Neil has said and what you believe don't coincide.  I for one am totally willing to eat my words if the next Neil Finn release is a new Crowded House album.  But it's not like Neil has a history of throwing surprises out of left field.  If he was working on new Crowded House material, I am fairly sure we would have at least a hint about it.

Like I said, rat of intelligence.

No, I am agreeing with what Neil said.

"Beginning of a new era" not end of an era.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zguFTB8RuGM

@too WHYSUS

Neil Finns solo album may of been out a while now but I have only listened too it once actually.

(While I was climbing a huge hill as it turned out...) Quite fitting given the album title name.

"In my blood" was my favorite, the two bonus songs I haven't listened too properly.

To me its still a new album I have barely listened to it, AND its a very different kind of record (too listen to)

Time on Earth and Intriguer were very carefully crafted albums, where as I think another Crowded House record will be much more "record it as it is", which is what the 5th record (possibly would of been titled afterglow as well?)...seemed to be more like.

I get the feeling to revive Crowded House a real straight forward sounding album will be what happens. Not to labored over.

However, we must not forget that Finn album (from late 95) so...ya know.

That one got ignored I think.

Hey Herbalife - I would love a straight forward guitar driven Crowded House album.

I really enjoyed Time on Earth but it was recorded as a solo album (and it sounded that way to me). But I got really excited after the ToE tour when Neil said that with the band now back together they were going to record a new album that would capture the essence of the Crowded House live sound that they had never quite managed in the studio and they were going to develop the songs playing live. I had high hopes for it - I think I was expecting what you are describing.

I went to Leigh Sawmill and loved The Only Way To Go Is Forward, Twice If You're Lucky and to a lesser extent Isolation. They sounded like Crowded House to me.  I was disappointed when the album came out. TOWTGIF was not there, TIYL was piano driven not guitar driven and seemed to have lost its edge and Isolation was barely recognizable. Over the years, I have learned that Neil can't help himself but labour over his albums (I grant you that the first Finn album looks to be the exception),

Like many here, since the Reissues, I have made my own new Crowdies albums (an early Mullanes one, the lost 5th album, a compilation and ... well pretty much the whole of the Intriguer bonus disc that has now become more like the Intriguer I was hoping for). I am still very much enjoying and digesting them. It was a bit like all my crowdie xmases had come at once! 

So talking in pure hypotheticals, it would be great if after getting the band together for the SoH gigs, Neil decided that some songs he had been working would be better as Crowded House so the guys recorded them quickly without over thinking things like they had done with Intriguer. Because Neil already was working on two albums at once, he was able to use the more straight forward songs for Crowded House and still have plenty of the more experimental songs for the album with Liam. Neil regretted (this is still hypothetical- I don't believe Neil has ever expressed any regret) the process they went about for Intriguer (especially exposing fans to songs then changing them) so wanted to take the opposite approach and purposely keep the fan base completely in the dark about and the album will be released as a complete surprise when we least expect it.

Personally I just can't imagine this being the case but I will admit it is an exciting hypothetical possibility. I do think that spending too much time hoping for this to be the case will only lead to disappointment in the long run though. Still, it is far more realistic than my dream of a new Split Enz studio album including Neil, Tim and Phil Judd. I know that ain't ever going to happen but every now and again I still like to entertain the possibility and imagine what it would sound like.

My take (and it's just my personal opinion) is I just think Neil has got too many other things he wants to achieve and experiment with musically before even thinking about recording another Crowded House album.

In the meantime, I'm still enjoying the 4 new albums I've created from the CH reissue bonus discs and looking forward to the music that awaits us this year from Neil in whatever form it might take.

... If I could work out how to do it, I would be tempted to create a poll on the Forum to guess what guise Neil's next release will be take: Neil solo; Neil and Liam; Neil and Tim; Crowded House; Some brand new entity.

To say the truth, no one really knows because who could of predicted Crowded House returning in 2007? Really?

Maybe because of Paul H and the 10 years since the Sydney shows was the reason so Neil thought, why not..."make this solo album into something" because he knew many didn't want the band to come to an end anyway.

At the time it was not rocknroll enough for me so I didn't bother with it, but when I did listen too it, I was surprised by how good it was, some of it was WAY too laid back and would of made a much better Neil Finn record but half of its really good.

"Say that again" is one of those songs by them that gets forgotten but its actually on the level of the first 4 records or the Together Alone one and its one of my top 3 I think easily.

I like that moody dark sound they put in their music like that.

What I have found with bands...or even Crowded House (Neil Finn) is they are unpredictable, and you have to make it exciting for yourself as a musician because you are at the end of the day MAKING a profit for the record labels, which is tiring....

The record label would of loved a new 5th Crowded House album to juice...but Neil maybe thought it would make the band too commercial and would give them what they wanted so he decided against it, not to mention the promotion that would of come with an expected record like that.

So my thoughts are Liam/Neil F record then perhaps some work done on Crowded House, possibly a new Neil Finn album if its done, and then Crowded House finish off the record they have and release it.

But I think a Crowded House album will come second. 

Say that again? (:

There's a chance we could be in a re-thinking phase. Much like happened with Everyone is Here or Time On Earth. Neil seems to get pretty far into a project and then step back and reconsider it. It may be annoying and cause delays but you can't argue with the results. Re-recording Everyone Is Here was the right call and so was making Time On Earth into a CH record. I wonder if he's having second thoughts about his solo work, recent work with Tim, his album with Liam and his desire to some sort of interactive album online. If I were Neil I would be wondering how these project might be combined or how they might build off of the recent popularity of the CH reunion concerts. He may just put out what he's been saying he was going to put out, but there's still a chance he may do something completely different or unexpected. Time will tell.