Neil Davies - 6/29/2010

Although Intriguer is Crowded House's second offering since their return in 2007, it should be said that it is truly the first, given that Time on Earth was originally intended to be a Neil Finn solo album.

Intriguer still carries the delicate, sometimes sombre lilt which has become a solo Finn trademark, but given the benefit of several listens, atmospheric hints of Together Alone are evident. While not as instantly catchy as Woodface or Temple Of Low Men, the song writing remains just as incisive and intimate.

The album kicks off with the first single release, Saturday Sun. Production quality is high, and features a vocoder on Finn's voice which delivers an ethereal finish. The album goes on to further tune-smithery highs with the One-Nil-esque Archer's Arrows, and then the sublime Amsterdam; the latter providing possibly the high point of the record with a breath-taking, instantly memorable chorus into which is woven the true Crowded House DNA. The flow of the album continues with the mesmerising beauty of Falling Dove, the pop hooks of Twice If You're Lucky and the punchy rock of Inside Out - very different songs which manage to retain the feel of a very cohesive record.

Neil Finn is unquestionably one of the very finest songwriter of his, or any other generation. Lyrics which can be as comfortably whistfull as they can be moving sit on masterfully crafted compositions. His endurance over a 30 year career is evident on this record - his standards are as high as they ever were.

With time, Intriguer could be regarded by long standing Crowded House fans as one of their finest recordings.