Crowded House Drops “Gravity Stairs”: Stream Now

When a New Zealander rises to the top and does so in style, the Aussies tend to claim them with glee. It's a sign of warmth, affection and respect, or a goddamn annoyance, depending on which side of the ditch you live on.

Neil Finn and Crowded House is a towering example.

Finn, a proud Kiwi, formed Crowded House from the ashes of Spilled Enz, the early 80s Kiwi greats signed to the late Michael Gudinski's Mushroom Records who might have been global superstars but for Tyranny of the distance.

Today, Crowded House goes down Gravity Stairstheir eighth studio album and first through a new deal with BMG.

Gravity Stairs Produced with Steven Schram (Paul Kelly, San Cisco) and the band, featuring Finn and his sons Elroy and Liam. founder, Australian-born bassist Nick Seymour. and American-born keyboardist Mitchell Froom, and is inspired by a heavy stone staircase near where the band leader vacations.

“Gravity ladders symbolize the struggle to climb,” says Auckland-based Finn, “recognizing the opposing forces of gravity in the mechanics of life. It's an act of will every day.”

Since emerging fully in 1986 as a trio of Finn (singer, songwriter, guitar), Seymour and the late Australian drummer Paul Hester, the band has sold over 15 million records worldwide and been inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. 13 ARIA Awards, an MTV VMA, a BRIT Award and a UK No.1 album (with 1996 Recurring dream – The very best).

This first self-titled album featured the hits “'Something So Strong” and “Don't Dream It's Over,” which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Don't Dream It's Over” made a strong comeback. year. Thanks to a tie-in to an episode of the rebooted detective classic Magnum PI, the song reached No. 1 on Billboard's Top TV Songs chart.

It includes the previously released tracks “Teenage Summer” (which was changed from “Life's Imitation”) and “The Howl”, Gravity Stairs is its sequel Dreamers Awaitwhich reached No.2 in Australia, No.6 in the Official UK Chart and won Best Adult Contemporary album at the 2021 ARIA Awards.

Crowded House will support the new LP with a trans-Tasman tour, which kicks off on November 9 at the TSB Arena in New Zealand's capital Wellington, with Australian dates starting on November 29 at Perth's Kings Park & ​​Botanical Gardens. Live Nation produces swing Down Under.

Drift Gravity Stairs detailed below.