Intriguer is Crowded House’s second album since reforming after their farewell concerts in 1996. After the tragic passing of original drummer/jester Paul Hester in 2005, the remaining band members got back in touch. This led to a full-on reunion with Matt Sherrod taking Hester’s place. The resulting album, 2007’s Life On Earth, morphed from a Neil Finn solo project and Crowded House made its return.
Now Intriguer comes along and it is not quite as direct as Life On Earth, but it is more adventurous. The reason can possibly be explained in that, while the first reunion album saw a band gaining their footing again, Intriguer finds them secure and ready to take chances. This is probably similar to the change from Crowded House’s self-titled debut to the more adventurous follow-up, Temple of Low Men; not as catchy, but definitely expanding their boundaries.
"Saturday Sun" opens the album with electronic buzzes and blips and hooks you as any of their classic songs. Second track "Archer’s Arrows" has a delicate beauty to it and also features Finn’s wife Sharon on background vocals. Some of the songs tread along in a slow meandering way with more of a focus on artistry as opposed to stadium choruses. They start to unfold and show more of themselves with repeated listens. "Either Side of the World" and "Falling Dove" are two examples of this. "Isolation" feels like it’s heading the same route before breaking into an ending section that is reminiscent to the ending of "Hey Jude".
"Twice If You’re Lucky" is a standout track and could be a possible single, as it does lend itself to some immediacy. The final song "Elephants" sums up the mood of the album nicely with the final lyric, "Sweet dreams, make waves, find bliss". Overall, Intriguer is a subtle, blissful set of songs.
MP3 Stream: "Saturday Sun"
