Together Alone
Encyclopedia
Together Alone is the fourth studio album by the band Crowded House
. It was released in October 1993 and was their first album to feature multi-instrumentalist Mark Hart
as a full band member. Unlike the band's first three albums, which were recorded in the US and Australia and produced by Mitchell Froom
, Together Alone was recorded in New Zealand with producer Youth
. Seven singles were released from Together Alone, including "Distant Sun
", which was a top 10 hit in New Zealand and Canada, and "Locked Out
" which reached number 12 on the UK singles chart and number 8 on the US Modern Rock chart, the latter on the strength of the song's inclusion on the soundtrack of the 1994 film Reality Bites
.
's friends Nigel and Jody Harrocks' house at Karekare Beach
in New Zealand
, with additional recording in Melbourne, Australia at both Periscope and Platinum Studios. The album's opening track was named "Kare Kare" after the beach near where the album was recorded.
The album topped the album chart in New Zealand, reached number 2 in Australia and number 4 in the UK. Due to its inclusion on the Reality Bites soundtrack, the song "Locked Out" was bundled with The Knack
's "My Sharona
", which also features in the film, as a promotional jukebox
single. The video single release of "Nails in My Feet
" featured a documentary of the making of Together Alone entitled Footage from the Together Alone recording session.
The song "Catherine Wheels" was written by Neil and Tim Finn
while with Split Enz
and was originally titled "The First To Say Gone". The final version included input from bass player Nick Seymour
which earned him a co-writing credit, one of only five he has with Crowded House. (The others are "Recurring Dream" and "Help Is Coming" from Afterglow
, "Newcastle Jam" from the Special Edition Live Album and "Isolation" from Intriguer
).
Allmusic noted that the album is, "More experimental and musically varied than any of their previous releases" and cited the addition of Mark Hart to the band's line-up and new producer Youth as reasons for this. The album features more complex, layered guitar and keyboard arrangements than on Crowded House's previous works. The title track features a New Zealand Māori choir and log drummers and was co-written by Ngapo 'Bub' Wehi of the Te Waka Huia Cultural Group Choir, who also provide backing vocals on "In My Command" and "Catherine Wheels".
" has a similar red car and the song's video features the car during its animated sequences. The album artwork was co-designed by Seymour and Margo Chase
. It incorporates photography, by Youri Lenquette and Merlyn Rosenberg, of the band and of landscapes including Karekare beach.
A limited edition of the album in some territories featured a bonus disc of live tracks from their previous 3 albums:
Crowded House
Crowded House are a rock band, formed in Melbourne, Australia and led by New Zealand singer-songwriter Neil Finn. Finn is the primary songwriter and creative director of the band, having led it through several incarnations, drawing members from New Zealand , Australia and the United States...
. It was released in October 1993 and was their first album to feature multi-instrumentalist Mark Hart
Mark Hart
Mark Hart , is a multi-instrumentalist best known for his participation as a member of Supertramp and Crowded House....
as a full band member. Unlike the band's first three albums, which were recorded in the US and Australia and produced by Mitchell Froom
Mitchell Froom
-Career:Froom began his career as a keyboard player in Sonoma County, California. The band Crossfire featured two keyboards players; Mitchell on one side of the stage and brother David on the other with Gary Pihl on guitar...
, Together Alone was recorded in New Zealand with producer Youth
Martin Glover
Martin Glover, also known as Youth, is a record producer and a founding member and bassist of the UK band Killing Joke. He is a member of The Fireman along with Paul McCartney. Glover was born in Africa.-Early career:...
. Seven singles were released from Together Alone, including "Distant Sun
Distant Sun
"Distant Sun" is a 1993 song by rock group Crowded House. It was the first single released from the group's fourth studio album Together Alone...
", which was a top 10 hit in New Zealand and Canada, and "Locked Out
Locked Out
"Locked Out" is a 1993 song by rock group Crowded House, from the group's fourth studio album Together Alone. It was released as a single in December 1993 and was part of the soundtrack to the American film Reality Bites. It was the most successful single from Together Alone, reaching #12 in the UK...
" which reached number 12 on the UK singles chart and number 8 on the US Modern Rock chart, the latter on the strength of the song's inclusion on the soundtrack of the 1994 film Reality Bites
Reality Bites
Reality Bites is a 1994 American romantic comedy-drama film written by Helen Childress and featuring the directorial debut of Ben Stiller. It stars Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke and Stiller, with major supporting roles played by Janeane Garofalo and Steve Zahn. The film was shot on location in Austin...
.
Background
The album was mainly recorded at Neil FinnNeil Finn
Neil Mullane Finn, OBE is a New Zealand Pop recording artist. Along with his brother Tim Finn, he was the co-frontman for Split Enz and is now frontman for Crowded House...
's friends Nigel and Jody Harrocks' house at Karekare Beach
Karekare, New Zealand
Karekare is a small coastal settlement in northern New Zealand, where the Waitakere Ranges descend into a large black sand surf beach.- Location :It is located 35 kilometres west of Auckland city centre, south of the larger beach of Piha....
in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, with additional recording in Melbourne, Australia at both Periscope and Platinum Studios. The album's opening track was named "Kare Kare" after the beach near where the album was recorded.
The album topped the album chart in New Zealand, reached number 2 in Australia and number 4 in the UK. Due to its inclusion on the Reality Bites soundtrack, the song "Locked Out" was bundled with The Knack
The Knack
The Knack was an American New Wave rock quartet based in Los Angeles that rose to fame with their first single, "My Sharona", an international number one hit in 1979.-Founding :...
's "My Sharona
My Sharona
"My Sharona" is the debut single by The Knack, released in 1979 from their album Get the Knack. It reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart where it remained for six weeks and was #1 on Billboards Top Pop Singles of 1979 year-end chart. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry...
", which also features in the film, as a promotional jukebox
Jukebox
A jukebox is a partially automated music-playing device, usually a coin-operated machine, that will play a patron's selection from self-contained media...
single. The video single release of "Nails in My Feet
Nails in My Feet
"Nails in My Feet" is a 1993 song by rock group Crowded House. It was the second single released from the group's fourth studio album Together Alone.-UK CD set:...
" featured a documentary of the making of Together Alone entitled Footage from the Together Alone recording session.
The song "Catherine Wheels" was written by Neil and Tim Finn
Tim Finn
Brian Timothy "Tim" Finn, OBE is a New Zealand singer and musician. Finn is most known for his music with New Zealand 1970s and 1980s rock group Split Enz, and later for his solo work, a temporary membership in his brother Neil's band Crowded House and his joint efforts with Neil Finn as the Finn...
while with Split Enz
Split Enz
Split Enz were a New Zealand band of the 1970s and early 1980s featuring Phil Judd and brothers Tim Finn and Neil Finn. They achieved chart success in New Zealand, Australia, and Canada during the early 1980s ‒ most notably with the single "I Got You", and built a cult following elsewhere...
and was originally titled "The First To Say Gone". The final version included input from bass player Nick Seymour
Nick Seymour
Nick Seymour is a musician, painter, and record producer. He is best known for being the bass guitarist in the Australasian rock group Crowded House and brother to Mark Seymour of another successful group; Hunters and Collectors.- Biography :Born in Benalla, Victoria, Australia, Seymour studied...
which earned him a co-writing credit, one of only five he has with Crowded House. (The others are "Recurring Dream" and "Help Is Coming" from Afterglow
Afterglow (Crowded House album)
Afterglow is a Crowded House compilation album, released in 1999. It includes a selection of rarities and outtakes. The tracks were recorded between 1985 and 1994. Seven of the songs were originally recorded for the Woodface album before Tim Finn became involved...
, "Newcastle Jam" from the Special Edition Live Album and "Isolation" from Intriguer
Intriguer
Intriguer is the sixth studio album by alternative pop group Crowded House, released on 13 June 2010. It is the band's followup to the group's 2007 reunion album Time on Earth, and the first to feature all four current band members, including multi-instrumentalist Mark Hart and drummer Matt...
).
Allmusic noted that the album is, "More experimental and musically varied than any of their previous releases" and cited the addition of Mark Hart to the band's line-up and new producer Youth as reasons for this. The album features more complex, layered guitar and keyboard arrangements than on Crowded House's previous works. The title track features a New Zealand Māori choir and log drummers and was co-written by Ngapo 'Bub' Wehi of the Te Waka Huia Cultural Group Choir, who also provide backing vocals on "In My Command" and "Catherine Wheels".
Cover art
Bassist Nick Seymour created the album cover, which features a red car, possibly a taxi. It contains Jesus, a golden figure and a third occupant in the back of the car of whom only an arm, clad in a striped shirt, is visible. The car is surrounded by a golden halo and has fluffy dice hanging from the rear view mirror. The cover of the 2007 single "Don't Stop NowDon't Stop Now
"Don't Stop Now" is the first single from Crowded House's fifth studio album Time on Earth. It was released in Australia on 16 June 2007; in the United Kingdom, it was released digitally on 18 June 2007 and physically on 25 June 2007.-Background:...
" has a similar red car and the song's video features the car during its animated sequences. The album artwork was co-designed by Seymour and Margo Chase
Margo Chase
Margo Chase is an American graphic designer. Originally a biology major with intentions of becoming a veterinarian, Chase fell in love with design when she took a course on a whim. Her first job in graphic arts was a tedious paste-up position, which gave her great appreciation for computers...
. It incorporates photography, by Youri Lenquette and Merlyn Rosenberg, of the band and of landscapes including Karekare beach.
Track listing
All songs written by Neil Finn unless otherwise indicated:- "Kare Kare" (Crowded House) – 3:35
- "In My Command" – 3:43
- "Nails in My FeetNails in My Feet"Nails in My Feet" is a 1993 song by rock group Crowded House. It was the second single released from the group's fourth studio album Together Alone.-UK CD set:...
" – 3:39 - "Black & White Boy" – 4:00
- "Fingers of LoveFingers of Love"Fingers of Love" is a 1994 song by rock group Crowded House from the group's fourth studio album Together Alone. It was released as a single in May 1994 and peaked at number 25 on the UK Singles Chart....
" – 4:26 - "Pineapple HeadPineapple Head"Pineapple Head" is a 1993 song by rock group Crowded House from the group's fourth studio album Together Alone. It was released as a single in October 1994.The song was later included on the group's greatest hits compilation Recurring Dream...
" – 3:27 - "Locked OutLocked Out"Locked Out" is a 1993 song by rock group Crowded House, from the group's fourth studio album Together Alone. It was released as a single in December 1993 and was part of the soundtrack to the American film Reality Bites. It was the most successful single from Together Alone, reaching #12 in the UK...
" – 3:17 - "Private UniversePrivate Universe"Private Universe" is a 1993 song by rock group Crowded House from the group's fourth studio album Together Alone. It was released as a single in October 1994...
" – 5:39 - "Walking on the Spot" – 2:54
- "Distant SunDistant Sun"Distant Sun" is a 1993 song by rock group Crowded House. It was the first single released from the group's fourth studio album Together Alone...
" – 3:49 - "Catherine Wheels" (Neil Finn, Tim Finn, Nick Seymour) – 5:12
- "Skin Feeling" (Paul HesterPaul HesterPaul Newell Hester was an Australian musician and television personality; he was the drummer for the related bands Split Enz and Crowded House.-The early years:...
) – 3:56 - "Together Alone" (Neil Finn, Mark Hart, Ngapo 'Bub' Wehi) – 3:55
A limited edition of the album in some territories featured a bonus disc of live tracks from their previous 3 albums:
- "World Where You LiveWorld Where You Live"World Where You Live" is a 1986 song by rock group Crowded House. It was the second single from the group's debut album Crowded House. Though it was the second single, "World Where You Live" was the first internationally released single, as the first single "Mean To Me" was only released in...
" – 5:30 - "Mean to MeMean to Me (Crowded House song)"Mean to Me" is a 1986 song by rock group Crowded House. It was the first single the band ever released. The single was only released as a 7" vinyl single. It was released two weeks prior to the group's debut album, Crowded House, and appears on the album...
" – 4:06 - "Sister MadlySister Madly"Sister Madly" is a 1988 song by rock group Crowded House. It was the fourth single from the group's second album Temple of Low Men.The song contains a solo by guitarist Richard Thompson....
" – 5:42 - "Better Be Home SoonBetter Be Home Soon"Better Be Home Soon" is a 1988 song written by Neil Finn and performed by New Zealand/Australian band Crowded House. The song was released as a single in July 1988 by Capitol Records. It performed modestly on both the American and British charts, but managed to peak at number two on the...
" – 3:23 - "It's Only Natural" – 3:52
- "Weather with YouWeather with You"Weather with You" is a 1991 song by rock group Crowded House. It was the third and most successful single released from the group's third studio album Woodface, reaching top fifty charts in six countries with a peak of #7 in the United Kingdom....
" – 5:19
Crowded House
- Neil Finn – vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, piano, keyboards
- Nick Seymour – bass, backing vocals
- Paul Hester – drums, percussion, vocals
- Mark Hart – keyboards, electric guitar, lap steel guitar, mandolin, backing vocals
Additional musicians
- Eddie RaynerEddie RaynerEddie Rayner , is a New Zealand musician who has played in bands such as Split Enz, Space Waltz, Crowded House, The Makers and 801....
– Keyboards on "Kare Kare" & "Pineapple Head" - Noel CrombieNoel CrombieNoel Crombie is a New Zealand singer and former member of the band Split Enz. He fulfilled multiple roles including costume and hair designer, percussionist, album cover designer, and music video director...
– Percussion on "Private Universe" - Geoffrey Hales – Percussion on "Fingers of Love" & "Locked Out"
- Tim Finn – Background vocals on "In My Command" & "Catherine Wheels"
- Sharon Finn – Background vocals on "Black and White Boy", "Fingers of Love" & "Private Universe"
- Dror Erez – Accordion on "Walking on the Spot"
- Te Waka Huia Cultural Group Choir – Vocals on "Together Alone", "In My Command" & "Catherine Wheels"
- Joe, Tereo, Martie, Jamee, Benjamin – Log Drummers on "Together Alone" & "Private Universe"
- Clyde Dixon, Stephen Bremner, Laura Astridge, David Bremner, Shaun Jarret – Brass Band on "In My Command" & "Together Alone"
Album credits
- Youth – Producer
- Bob ClearmountainBob ClearmountainBob Clearmountain is an award-winning American music engineer, mixer and producer. He has worked with many prominent names in music including Bruce Springsteen , The Rolling Stones , Bryan Adams , Robbie Williams Bob Clearmountain is an award-winning American music engineer, mixer and producer. He...
– Mixer - Greg HunterGreg HunterGreg Hunter is a British composer and sound engineer. He attended Goldsmiths, University of London. He is known for his work with The Orb and with producer Youth in their collaboration to form Dub Trees, and as a composer of electronic / world music...
– Engineer - Nick Morgan, Graeme Myre, Angus Davidson, Chris Corr, Kalju Tonuma – Additional engineering
- Dugald McAndrew – Equipment & additional engineering
- Matt Austin – Programming
Chart performance
Album
Sales of Together Alone highlighted Crowded House's continued popularity in Australasia and the UK. The album also had some success across Europe, but like its predecessor, Woodface, it failed to make much impact in the US. The album was certified platinum in the UK, New Zealand (x2) and Australia.| Chart | Position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
2 |
| Canadian Albums Chart Canadian Albums Chart The Canadian Albums Chart is the official album sales chart in Canada. It is compiled every Wednesday by U.S.-based music sales tracking company Nielsen Soundscan, and published every Thursday by Jam! Canoe and Billboard, along with its sister charts the Canadian Singles Chart and the Canadian BDS... |
19 |
| New Zealand Albums Chart Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... |
1 |
| German Albums Chart Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
55 |
| Dutch Albums Chart MegaCharts MegaCharts is responsible for the composition and exploitation of a broad collection of official charts in the Netherlands, of which the Mega Top 50 and the Mega Album Top 100 are the most known ones. Mega Charts also provides information to the Stichting Nederlandse Top 40, of which the Dutch Top... |
19 |
| Norwegian Albums Chart VG-lista VG-listen is a Norwegian record chart. It is weekly presented in the newspaper VG and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation program Topp 20. It is considered the primary Norwegian record chart, charting albums and singles from countries and continent around the world. The data is collected by... |
14 |
| Swedish Albums Chart Sverigetopplistan Sverigetopplistan, earlier known as Topplistan and Hitlistan and other names, is since October 2007 the Swedish national record chart, based on sales data from Swedish Recording Industry Association .... |
25 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
4 |
| US Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
73 |
Singles
Apart from the top 10 success of "Distant Sun" in Canada and New Zealand, the singles from Together Alone generally performed poorly outside the UK, where five singles reached the top 30. One exception was "Nails in My feet", which narrowly missed the New Zealand top 10.| Single | AUS ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
CAN Canadian Singles Chart The Canadian Singles Chart is currently compiled by the U.S.-based music sales tracking company, Nielsen SoundScan . The chart is compiled every Wednesday, and is published by Jam! Canoe on Thursdays.... |
GER Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
NZ Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... |
UK UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Distant Sun Distant Sun "Distant Sun" is a 1993 song by rock group Crowded House. It was the first single released from the group's fourth studio album Together Alone... " |
23 | 4 | 70 | 5 | 19 |
| "Nails In My Feet Nails in My Feet "Nails in My Feet" is a 1993 song by rock group Crowded House. It was the second single released from the group's fourth studio album Together Alone.-UK CD set:... " |
34 | — | — | 11 | 22 |
| "Locked Out Locked Out "Locked Out" is a 1993 song by rock group Crowded House, from the group's fourth studio album Together Alone. It was released as a single in December 1993 and was part of the soundtrack to the American film Reality Bites. It was the most successful single from Together Alone, reaching #12 in the UK... " |
— | 81 | — | — | 12 |
| "Fingers of Love Fingers of Love "Fingers of Love" is a 1994 song by rock group Crowded House from the group's fourth studio album Together Alone. It was released as a single in May 1994 and peaked at number 25 on the UK Singles Chart.... " |
— | — | — | — | 25 |
| "Pineapple Head Pineapple Head "Pineapple Head" is a 1993 song by rock group Crowded House from the group's fourth studio album Together Alone. It was released as a single in October 1994.The song was later included on the group's greatest hits compilation Recurring Dream... " |
— | — | — | — | 27 |
| "Private Universe Private Universe "Private Universe" is a 1993 song by rock group Crowded House from the group's fourth studio album Together Alone. It was released as a single in October 1994... " |
46 | — | — | 50 | — |
| "Together Alone" | — | — | — | 37 | — |