Time On Earth
by Crowded House
  • Record Label: ATO
  • Release Date: Jul 10, 2007
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Delusions of Adequacy
    90
    As reunion/comeback albums go, Time on Earth is outstanding.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    88
    Where Hester contributed rhythmic surprise and fleetness, Sherrod brings solidity and power that anchor the whole affair with a reassuring gravity.
  3. Filter
    86
    Crowded House guys can confidently say their time on Earth is currently well-spent.
  5. The A.V. Club
    83
    Thoughtful, warm, and endlessly hummable even in its moodiest moments, Time On Earth is a sweet epitaph.
  6. AllMusic
    80
    Time on Earth a haunting yet comforting affair that is quite unique in Neil Finn's body of work, yet functions as an oddly appropriate, utterly worthy, comeback as Crowded House.
  7. Dot Music
    80
    Expect to hear a smattering of gems from Time On Earth, more than holding their own with the band's much loved and more famous moments.
  8. Amazon.com
    80
    Finn's knack for a melodic ballad remains firmly in place as Time on Earth coasts on his dreamy voice and introspective, hook-laden pop choruses.
  9. Uncut
    80
    The fact that Time On Earth takes several listens to sink in practically ensures that it will be undervalued, if not ignored, which is a shame, because this taut album possesses the immersive qualities and cumulative impact of a good novel.
  10. The New York Times
    80
    With Matt Sherrod on drums, Crowded House sounds like its old self (and like Mr. Finn’s solo efforts).
  11. Observer Music Monthly
    80
    It's a collection of 14 songs that will be instantly recognisable to those who loved them back in the Nineties.
  12. Stylus Magazine
    75
    There's a sustained tone to Time on Earth that Finn's rarely mastered, and that alone comes closer than you might have thought possible to making the record an unqualified success.
  13. Pitchfork
    72
    The economy of Ethan Johns' and Steve Lillywhite's production helps, as do the straightforward arrangements and, most important of all, Finn's most commercial and least quirky set of songs since 1991's "Woodface," or even the group's self-titled 1986 debut.
  14. Paste Magazine
    70
    Time on Earth is another batch of Finn’s impeccably crafted pop gems.
  15. PopMatters
    70
    Time on Earth still has enough emotional resonance and melodic moments to make it something special.
  16. Spin
    70
    Time on Earth is an assured, soothing collection of sweet-tempered pop tunes ("Even a Child"), and ballads ("Pour Le Monde").
  17. Billboard
    70
    The project's 14 tracks are still filled with well-made guitar and piano pop that only missteps when Finn and company lapse into whispery quietude for too long.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 42 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 42
  3. Negative: 2 out of 42
  1. evokoder
    Sep 17, 2007
    10
    There's not much out there to top this at the moment. Finn is a songwriting god!
  2. DavidH.
    Sep 11, 2007
    8
    Initially I didn't care for this CD, as biased as I was because I really think that Neil Finn is a great singer-songwriter. But, as a Initially I didn't care for this CD, as biased as I was because I really think that Neil Finn is a great singer-songwriter. But, as a few other people pointed out, this CD really grows on you, including Don't Stop Now, and, my favorite, Say That Again. I've seen him & CH in concert many times & I highly recommend seeing them. They're obviously not a band that will rock the house, but the banter between themselves on stage, as well as with the crowd is truly enjoyable.… Full Review »
  3. PhilH.
    Sep 7, 2007
    10
    Thank you Neil and the rest of Crowded House for filling my head once again with such great melodies. I was a bit worried that as a comeback Thank you Neil and the rest of Crowded House for filling my head once again with such great melodies. I was a bit worried that as a comeback album it might not be as good as their earlier work, but there was no cause for concern. This album just gets better and better with each listen and I would now have a hard time going to a CH gig and NOT hearing them play some of these tracks. Not many re-formed bands you could say that about...They seem to be getting better and if they continue like this the next album should be a stunner.… Full Review »
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