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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If you asked the average person to name a Crowded House song, I think they'd probably choose something from Woodface, and in this respect Together Alone could be viewed as a poor relation.
Indeed, Woodface was in many ways a contemporary pop classic that offered some evocative, lyrically-clever songs, but for me Together Alone towers high above it. The crisp, pop-style production of previous albums is replaced by a compelling atmosphere and moodiness that permeates what was Crowded House's final studio album.
If you've never listened to Crowded House before, or were put off by their previous offerings, leave your mind open to this album because it is truly captivating. Spine-tingling moments abound, notably in the wonderful 'Nails In My Feet', opening track 'Kare Kare' and 'Walking On The Spot', with a slightly more familiar Crowded House sound in 'In My Command' and 'Locked Out'.
Despite the fact that this album is now eight years old, it still inhabits a time and a mood all of its own, somewhere in a dreamland at the edge of the world.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
While definitely not the album that spawned the most well known Crowded House (for that one should check out 'woodface'), this final album is without a doubt their best.
It was recorded when the band was nearing its end, and it makes for jarring, uneasy melodies interspersed with the usual brilliance of Neil Finn's writing. This makes for a much less commercial album than woodface, but give this album a bit of a chance and the payoff is very big indeed.
For example, the opener 'Kare Kare' evokes the New Zealand beach it was recorded on, but is tinged with melancholic strings and delay ridden guitars. That's not to say that the album is all downright experimental - as always the quality of the songwriting is at the forefront of Crowded House's music; anyone looking for more great pop songs should look no further to 'locked out' or the sharp acoustics of 'pineapple head'.
It is as the album draws to a close though that the album goes from merely good to a little masterpiece. After the glorious 'Distant Sun', 'Catherine Wheels' edges along easily, before 'Skin Feeling' brings us back into focus with a more upbeat track. The finale 'Together Alone' is amazingly powerful - the maori choir certainly something that would not have occurred to some of the bands at the time, but works wonderfully at the time. Interestingly it has since been utilised on the Lord of the Rings soundtrack - another New Zealand endeavour.
Ultimately, you have to wonder just why Crowded House are as underrated as they are. It makes little sense to me, as seems to be the case with the other reviewers here.
It was recorded when the band was nearing its end, and it makes for jarring, uneasy melodies interspersed with the usual brilliance of Neil Finn's writing. This makes for a much less commercial album than woodface, but give this album a bit of a chance and the payoff is very big indeed.
For example, the opener 'Kare Kare' evokes the New Zealand beach it was recorded on, but is tinged with melancholic strings and delay ridden guitars. That's not to say that the album is all downright experimental - as always the quality of the songwriting is at the forefront of Crowded House's music; anyone looking for more great pop songs should look no further to 'locked out' or the sharp acoustics of 'pineapple head'.
It is as the album draws to a close though that the album goes from merely good to a little masterpiece. After the glorious 'Distant Sun', 'Catherine Wheels' edges along easily, before 'Skin Feeling' brings us back into focus with a more upbeat track. The finale 'Together Alone' is amazingly powerful - the maori choir certainly something that would not have occurred to some of the bands at the time, but works wonderfully at the time. Interestingly it has since been utilised on the Lord of the Rings soundtrack - another New Zealand endeavour.
Ultimately, you have to wonder just why Crowded House are as underrated as they are. It makes little sense to me, as seems to be the case with the other reviewers here.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
At the time of the release of Together Alone, U2 and R.E.M. were enjoying huge commercial and critical success with their albums Achtung Baby and Automatic For The People respectively. Despite gaining deservedly similar critical success and being generally regarding as one of the main rock bands at the time, Together Alone became for some reason a commercial failure, especially in light of the album being the follow-up to the massively popular Woodface. Lousy choices of singles most have been a significant factor.
Together Alone is in many ways contradictory. The melodies are fantastic; very few albums have such abundance of catchy pop tunes. The lyrics, however, are reflective, sinister and even harrowing (Catherine Wheels). Neil Finn was obviously at the top of his game during that period. The production of the songs meanders from being soft and slick as in the opening track, Kare Kare, to becoming raw in instrumentation and singing as in the next track, In My Command. The production is still constantly experimental. The number of instruments used is not still that many, with most tracks driven by the routine guitar/bass/drums. Various sound effects and subtle use of other instruments are, however, created, adding texture to the sound. Case in point is Private Universe, a haunting song with many drum effects creating an atmospheric sonic experience.
Together Alone is in many ways not unlike the Beatles' White Album. All kinds of variances are taking place in all manners but the end result is yet as complete as pop albums are able to achieve.
From my standpoint, Together Alone is among the era's best albums and beats other Crowded House releases hands down. Neil Finn has not come close since going solo in producing anything of the same quality. Together Alone is Finn's career peak and a must have for all Crowded House fans
Together Alone is in many ways contradictory. The melodies are fantastic; very few albums have such abundance of catchy pop tunes. The lyrics, however, are reflective, sinister and even harrowing (Catherine Wheels). Neil Finn was obviously at the top of his game during that period. The production of the songs meanders from being soft and slick as in the opening track, Kare Kare, to becoming raw in instrumentation and singing as in the next track, In My Command. The production is still constantly experimental. The number of instruments used is not still that many, with most tracks driven by the routine guitar/bass/drums. Various sound effects and subtle use of other instruments are, however, created, adding texture to the sound. Case in point is Private Universe, a haunting song with many drum effects creating an atmospheric sonic experience.
Together Alone is in many ways not unlike the Beatles' White Album. All kinds of variances are taking place in all manners but the end result is yet as complete as pop albums are able to achieve.
From my standpoint, Together Alone is among the era's best albums and beats other Crowded House releases hands down. Neil Finn has not come close since going solo in producing anything of the same quality. Together Alone is Finn's career peak and a must have for all Crowded House fans
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
the best crowded house
I love everything these guys have recorded, but this is the album that is most dear to me. A hell of a lot darker than Woodface, but sooo beautiful. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Oostrijck
An itch too sensitive to scratch
I'm a little bit messianic about this album, well messianic may be a bit strong, but I honestly think it's a great, much under-valued album. Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2010 by A. Willard
CROWDED HOUSE - DEEP, MELODIC AND CAPTIVATING
Crowded House's follow up to their career defining Woodface album was an altogether darker and less immediate record. Read more
Published on 22 July 2008 by Mr. Christopher J. Welch
Neil Finn's finest hour.
Every great musician goes through a period of being great. A time when their melodies, that on other occassions, do not quite come off, hit home. Read more
Published on 6 Dec 2007 by R. Williams
Neil Finn's Masterpiece
This album is so very intoxicating, it should be available on prescription.
I recently re-listened to Together Alone for probably the 500th time and was reminded just... Read more
I recently re-listened to Together Alone for probably the 500th time and was reminded just... Read more
Published on 23 Sep 2007 by A. Sweeney
A Truly Great Album
Now, i would like to say that this album is one of the best albums you'll ever buy. i didnt really listen to this album when i got it. surprising! Read more
Published on 6 July 2004 by Master Rg Rogers
Quite simply the best album from the best band ever
Despite the sheer brilliance of the previous three albums, there is that extra something in Together Alone which makes it the most compelling of all. Read more
Published on 11 Jun 2003 by A big Crowdies fan
Compelling
I circled around this album for a number of years - it is an odd collection indeed. It came from a potent brew of a strange producer, a strange house, and a band that was... Read more
Published on 16 Nov 2000 by nick g black
A rare treat: an album without a poor track
One of the most talented songwriters around, Neil Finn has created one of the best albums ever to spin on my CD player. Read more
Published on 9 Sep 2000
Brilliant throughout!
Together Alone, my favourite Crowded House album, rarely leaves my CD player. Neil Finn's vocals are very clear and easy on the ear - without ever being bland. Read more
Published on 8 Aug 2000
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