Ocelopotamus

Crowded House’s new single “Don’t Stop Now,” written with Johnny Marr, was released last week and is available from iTunes. (Click the record cover at right for a handy iTunes link.)

Meanwhile, I’m thrilled to report that I have a ticket for the Sunday, Aug. 19 show at House of Blues here in Chicago. (I got shut out of the first show on Aug. 18, which sold out in less than 24 hours.)

There was a nice profile/interview piece in the New Zealand Herald last Thursday, in which Neil talks about the new album and also mentions something I hadn’t known — that the reunion was in the works even before Paul Hester committed suicide.

There were whispers between the former bandmates about a reunion before Crowded House drummer Paul Hester died in 2005.

At the end of 2004, Hester joined Neil and Tim Finn on stage at the Palais Theatre in Melbourne. Also that year the Finns played with Seymour in Belfast.

“In both cases we really had a good time hanging out,” says Finn.

“There was a growing feeling that maybe there was more to be had and he [Hester] was in a good state of mind then,” says Finn of the gig in Melbourne.

Sadly, a few months later, Hester committed suicide.

Neil also talks about how Paul’s death is reflected in the songs on the new album.

“There’s quite a lot of stuff that’s come as a result of all of that,” says Finn. “But I think in most cases I’ve made songs follow a couple of different threads, I guess to not reveal too much but also to try to describe the mixture of feelings that it brings up.

“I think there’s a lot of him in the record but it informs a lot of different songs, sometimes in a subtle way and sometimes more directly. English Trees relates to the day I heard; A Sigh is a note of resignation and deep sadness; and People Are Like Suns is a contemplation on the very flash of our lives.”

You sense Finn has Hester in mind when he reflects on how music is more precious to him now than ever. “It marks your life out. Apart from the love of two people, which is beyond all, I love it.”

Here’s the very pretty video for “Don’t Stop Now.” That Neil is still just as cute as a bug’s ear. God knows where the satellite’s taking us …

And he can still deliver a bridge section like the world is about to end.

 
I love how the animation interacts with the lyrics on lines like I hang on every word and get fooled by the lightning every time … very fun.

And, give me something I can write about, indeed.

“Don’t Stop Now” on iTunes:

Previously on Ocelopotamus:

• New Crowded House Album Due in July; Johnny Marr on Two Songs
• Tim Finn and His Imaginary Kingdom