Perhaps it was Neil Finn’s recent stint as a member of Fleetwood Mac that showed him what can happen when a new generation discovers a great old band. Thanks in part to a TikTok revival of their song Dreams, Fleetwood Mac’s greatest hits collection has been in the UK albums top 20 for the whole of this year so far. Finn, who toured the world as Lindsey Buckingham’s replacement between 2018 and 2019, now returns with the first Crowded House album in 11 years, and there’s a younger age bracket involved here too: his sons Liam (guitar) and Elroy (drums) have joined the band alongside the other remaining founding member, bassist Nick Seymour.
Like a venerable family business, fans from across the Melbourne-formed group’s 35-year career will find plenty that’s warmly familiar here. There’s a gentle jangle to the guitars and soothing harmonies on Start of Something. Too Good for This World drifts along smoothly, comfortable with the idea that its appealing melody is enough to retain interest.
Finn, 63, isn’t playing in his slippers just yet though. There’s an infectious energy to the rubbery Whatever You Want, as well as the triumphant horn fanfare on Playing With Fire and the thrusting guitar solo on Sweet Tooth. Some politics creep in on Whatever You Want too, with Finn complaining: “This is not right, this man is a fake/But they will follow him down to the edge of the cliff.” The greatest hits can wait. This band still has plenty more to offer.
