1991, Music

Woodface (1991) by Crowded House

I can’t figure it out, but I know “Chocolate Cake,” “Fall At Your Feet” and “Weather With You.” I’m confused because I was 9 when this album came out and only “Chocolate Cake” reached the Canadian Top 10. Somebody must have had this album, or a greatest hits record or something, right? Anyway, it’s created a powerful connection for me to this album which I didn’t experience with Temple of Low Men. So, whether I like it or not, it makes the album hit home more than it otherwise would.

So, clearly, I’m biased but I think Finn is a pretty good songwriter. I didn’t like him as much before so clearly I’m coming around. I do think his songwriting is one of the band’s strengths. I may not love all of them, and I sometimes find the odd lyric a little weird, but I do think he’s good at what he does.

As to the lyrics, to wit:

“Well, there’s a small boat made of china
It’s going nowhere on the mantlepiece
Well, do I lie like a loungeroom lizard
Or do I sing like a bird released?”

That’s half great, right? And then it’s not so great.

And that’s important because this album is pretty polished and slick. Some people on Rate Your Music have upvoted this album as “alternative rock” and all I have to say about that is you people have curious ideas about what “alternative” and especially “rock” mean. I’d even argue that a lot of the time they forget the “power” in the “power pop.”

Finn sings with passion and commitment, which helps make up for the gloss, some of the time. I’m not sure there’s enough from everybody else.

It really isn’t my thing but I’m inclined to give it a more positive review than the previous album because of the strength of the songs. So much of which hinges on my memory of three of the best of them. I do wonder if I didn’t know the songs if I’d be meaner.

7/10

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