I don't think that Ive heard much more than "Throwing Copper". Ill have to listen to some of they're later stuff.

I'm not particularly a big fan of U2 myself. They're way overplayed for one thing. But I remember David Howell Evans, "The Edge" (or just Edge) as one of the first guitarist to introduce his/that particular style of rhythm guitar to the mainstream. Not necessarily very technical. Regardless, U2 is a bad ass 3 piece band as far as talent is concerned.

There's very many talented musicians out there, but it's what's done with that talent that really matters.

For Live the one I liked was The Distance to Here. For both the 90s and 2000s I tend to go away from what seem to the traditional critics choices, might even be the case partly for the 80s. Critics only even seem to jump on board the Throwing Copper bandwagon, but I can't say it has ever made much of an impression on me.

I don't actually think that it is just music critics that like Throwing Copper starrynight. It could be its the listeners choice as well. I get the impression that you are biased when it comes to mainstream music and artist. Don't take my suggestion the wrong way, that's your preference. I just thought that always being open minded and honest is the best policy when listening to music. Not always being so critical. That's tends to take out all the fun and enjoyment of music for me personally anyway. :( Even if I don't like a particular artist, band, or album. I try to focus on the positive points musically. I leave all that (negativity) to music elitist.

I am positive about them though, I said I liked that later album. Why should I have to lie and say I like Throwing Copper? You said you had only heard that album by them, how many other people are the same? Very many I suspect.

I never suggested that you should force yourself to like anything in particular. I personally only like about 3 or 4 different singles on Throwing Copper myself.

I think that Australia and New Zealand have a great knack for producing bands that appeal commercially to a Pop aesthetic but make music that is usually guitar led and has much more of a timeless feel to it.

Maybe the fact that their influences are partly based upon their own ideas and not always what is popular at the time means that they have their own sound and whilst it's not particularly original it certainly has it's own unique quality; utilising classic pop structures with a much more mature sound.

I think Crowded House's 'Together Alone' is one of the best 'pop' albums put down and still sounds fresh after 17 odd years. The same goes for bands like Midnight Oil, The Church, Celibate Rifles and the mighty Radio Birdman.

Neil Finn is a superb and underrated songwriter.


I think Finn and our very own Paddy Mcaloon should be celebrated a lot more as artists.

Crowded house greatest hits is one of the best out there. They became huge with the album WOODFACE in the early 90's which is a stunning album mixing Beatle and Byrds melodies and became huge in Britain. The follow up Together Alone is even better. Neil Finn is a great songwriter.