A unique unifying various elements, when New Zealand’s Split Enz split in 1984, no one could have imagined the enormous success of its offshoots. However, a year after the breakup, Vocalist/Guitarist Neil Finn and Drummer Paul Hester would form the internationally renowned act Crowded House.
An interesting new adventure for seasoned musicians, Crowded House (featuring Nick Seymour on bass) debuted with the successful self-titled album in 1986. This album featured chart-topping singles like “Don’t Dream It’s Over” and “Something So Strong. ” These beginnings have led Crowded House to sell over fifteen million albums.
A career nearly forty years old at this stage, Crowded House has won a total of thirteen ARIA Awards and remains extremely active on today’s music scene. They relaunched full-time in 2019, released Dreamers Are Waiting in 2021, and continued to tour. Featuring a new lineup of Neil Finn, Nick Seymour, and Keyboardist Mitchell Froom. More interestingly, Neil’s two sons, Liam Finn, play guitar, and Elroy Finn plays drums. A formidable grouping, while Dreamers Are Waiting marked Crowded House’s first studio album in over a decade back in 2021, three years later, they return more promptly with Gravity Stairs.
Released on May 31, 2024 through BMG Rights Management, Gravity Stairs marks their eighth overall studio, their second with this new lineup, and recently was nominated at the 2024 ARIA Music Awards for ARIA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album. All proof is that Crowded House continues to write exceptional songs; what is even more intriguing about Gravity Stairs is how different it is from Dreamers Are Waiting.
Looking at the two side by side, Dreamers Are Waiting was a fantastic album with wonderful songs and great guitar tones, but Gravity Stairs seems to take another direction. The guitars are still ever present, but there is something in the production of Gravity Stairs that makes it stand alone. Featuring combined production efforts from the band themselves with the accomplished Steven Schram, this new album has a richness that rings through on each song.
Eleven songs in all, the mood is highly introspective throughout, the melodies resonate loudly, and the vocal harmonies are irresistible. Very calm and relaxed, you cannot help but be taken in by songs like the singles “Oh Hi” and “Teenage Summer,” but also “The Howl” and “Blurry Grass.” Just an example of what Gravity Stairs is all about, it is an exceptional blend of ethereal Pop Rock that fits perfectly within a realm where Art Rock, Britpop, and Alternative Rock intermingle together.
Overall, Crowded House has combined years of experience with a fresh approach that makes Gravity Stairs a mesmerizing listen. The songs flow smoothly together but are also full of introspective thoughts about life while expressing youthful exuberance. That is why Cryptic Rock gives Gravity Stairs 4 out of 5 stars.
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