Gravity Stairs: The New Album From Crowded House Shows Rock's Ageless Spirit


June 09, 2024 - 714 views

What do young and old rock musician share in common? 

They both rebel against a system, fighting to prove that regardless of age, their voice is relevant. Rock music has long been associated with youth, often portraying images of disenfranchised young rebels challenging the establishment, or the exuberance of young love and partying. However, as the genre matures, so too do its artists, and we are witnessing a new generation of rockers who bring a perspective shaped by age and experience. This evolution suggests that rock music is far from immutable, constantly redefining itself through the lenses of those who create it. 

The recent works of artists like Ian Hunter, Patty Smyth, Huey Lewis and The News, and Tears For Fears exemplify this shift. Their lyrics offer insights from lives well-lived, rich with lessons learned. Consider Neil Young’s “Old Man,” initially written from a young man’s perspective comparing himself to an older individual. If written today, it might express the sentiments of an elder statesman of rock telling a younger person, “You may see me as old and irrelevant, but I still feel a lot like you.”

Into this landscape arrives Crowded House’s eighth studio album, "Gravity Stairs," released on May 31, 2024. On my initial listen, and even more so on subsequent ones, I found the album’s lyrics resonating deeply with themes of reflection and retrospection. Whether this is a projection of my own introspections or an intentional direction by Neil Finn and the band, the result is a compelling collection of songs that speak to the passage of time and the lessons it imparts.

Take, for example, the track “Teenage Summer.” With lyrics like, “not enough, to be a witness of your life, all along, I was hoping we would come of age,” one can easily imagine Neil Finn reminiscing about his youth, contemplating a future that didn’t unfold as envisioned. This evocative imagery is not just a trip down memory lane but a profound meditation on the intersection of past dreams and present realities.

Historically, I’ve often been drawn to the musical hooks in songs. However, "Gravity Stairs" has shifted my focus towards its mature, introspective lyrics. This album encourages listeners to consider how rock music, a genre long defined by youthful exuberance, can evolve. In many ways, the generation that brough rock music into the mainstream now have the opportunity to present a new model—one that embraces maturity and reflection. If successful, this approach will offer future generations a richer, more nuanced blueprint for the genre.

In "Gravity Stairs," Crowded House has one a great job balancing their musical legacy with the wisdom of experience, proving that rock music can grow and evolve without losing its essence. Look for tracks from “Gravity Stairs” to be played on FM2.0 digital radio.

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