I was convinced that Crowded House was gone and Tim Finn’s wonderful “Imaginary Kingdom” last year was all that was coming out. An older, wiser Crowded House now releases “Time on Earth” and although I’ve been a fan for many years, this disk takes more time to grow on you. This sounds closer to a Neil Finn Solo record and unfortunately can’t hold a candle to Crowded House classics like “Woodface.” It’s a melancholy affair that laments over mortality and this was recorded with the death of Paul Hester (the band’s original drummer, occasional songwriter and friend of Neil’s since the end of Split Enz) looming in every track. It still has it’s share of hooks like the single “Don’t Stop Now” and the up-tempo “She Called Up” which is the best song on the album in my opinion. However the ballads here take over. “English Trees” and the beautiful “Nobody Wants to” are more the somber tone here. These are great songs but midway through the album it loses momentum and ends with a whimper in “People are like Suns.” The other bright spot is a collaboration with Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr on “Even A Child.” These bright spots lift the entire album up from being a mid-tempo mediocrity. This is a fitting tribute to Hester and I hope the next album is more upbeat.

My Space | Crowded House Website | Itunes | Amazon

Listen to “Don’t stop now”

Check out the big blue “Artist Interviews” button on the right. Subtle, yes? Anyway if you’d like some more insight into some of the bands I review here, check it out. New interviews posted: Phil Usher of Grand Atlantic and Brian McClelland of The Maxtone Four

Well it took long enough, but the great Jason Falkner has released his newest full length solo CD. It contains the first original material in almost eight years (If you don’t count the excellent Bliss Decending EP). Is it worth the wait? Well, yes and no. To those who are Falkner-fanatics who bought the Japan only release in April then it is essential, like a oasis after a long desert journey. For the rest of us, it is a very good album that fits nicely into your power pop collection. Like The Beach Boys “Smiley Smile”, this is a solid bunt and not a home run. My guess is Jason has been too busy producing other projects over the past seven years (Air, Beck, Aimee Mann, etc.) and this feels like a “project” for his cult fan base. That aside, it delivers what you expect: Awesome arrangements, glorious hooks and fantastic melodies. It opens with “This Time” a great song that sets the pace with a rising chorus and driving beat. It follows with the ELO meets Devo gems “NYC” and “The Knew.” Then the beautiful “Stephanie tells me” continues this hit streak. No one can sound like him, and Falkner can bend your ear better than anyone outside of Roger Manning. After that it wanders into Beck-like territory before recovering with the inspirational ballad “Runaway,” with it’s wonderful chord progressions. It then slips into an introspective funk until the last track “I don’t mind” provides an amazing vocal acrobatic chorus “I haven’t smiled since yesterday, It’s alright. I’m okay.” It may not be as perfect as his earlier albums, but it comes damn close. What do you expect here? A bad review? When this gets to US outlets, I’ll post the information because even $37 is a bit steep for this import.

Jason Falkner’s Site | My Space | Bad News Japanese CDs | Amazon

Listen to “Stephanie Tells Me”

Listen to “This Time”

Third of Never is a bit of a power pop supergroup. The Brainchild of Kurt Reil from the legendary Grip Weeds and CJ Grogan, with Vince Grogan and Jon Dawson, they rock out hard on the debut “Moodring” – This is a pretty awesome debut. Guest stars John Bundrick of The Who and Dennis Diken of the Smithereens help make it a classic. Recorded at the Gripweeds House of Vibes studio it starts off with the fantastic pop-psyche “Mystic Slide” that reminds me of Rainbow Quartz artists, Resonars and Strawberry Smell. It’s followed by the melodic, progressive sounding “Bag of Boxes,” a great tune that conjures up images of early Genesis and Yes. The tune “Wide Awake Sleeping” is an instant power pop classic that wouldn’t sound out of place of the Smithereens first album! The style takes a twist to “Redneck Riviera” a bit of Steely Dan meets Joe Walsh styled rock. Next comes a decent cover Pete Townsend’s “Let My Love Open the Door”.Then we get the gorgeous jangle and harmonies of the Nick Lowesque “Everyday is a Lonely Night.” If you like your power pop with extra power, than you owe it to yourself to check this out. Listen to the entire album streaming on a special Third of Never “Moodring” blog

Third of Never Site | My Space | Jam Recordings | CD Baby | Not Lame

Whoa! Super Amanda is the buxom babe is featured in this video for “Let My Love Open the Door”