Rating: Summary: Distant Sun. Review: "Dreaming: The Videos" encapsulates the entire career of Crowded House. Their videos were decent, but not great. I've seen much worse from the time period these videos spanned. There's a generous selection from all four of their albums plus two videos from their "Best Of" album. All the videos appear to be here. The "Catch 22" interview is really just a re-hash of their videos from their first album mixed with intermittent footage of an interview with the band. It could have been left off and no one would have missed it. Overall, this disc, minus the interview is 1 hour and 22 minutes. It's slightly over-priced for what it offers. Capitol should have made it a two disc set with the second disc offering a live concert of the band's choosing. If you are a Crowded House fan, this compilation should be suitable.
Rating: Summary: Distant Sun. Review: "Dreaming: The Videos" encapsulates the entire career of Crowded House. Their videos were decent, but not great. I've seen much worse from the time period these videos spanned. There's a generous selection from all four of their albums plus two videos from their "Best Of" album. All the videos appear to be here. The "Catch 22" interview is really just a re-hash of their videos from their first album mixed with intermittent footage of an interview with the band. It could have been left off and no one would have missed it. Overall, this disc, minus the interview is 1 hour and 22 minutes. It's slightly over-priced for what it offers. Capitol should have made it a two disc set with the second disc offering a live concert of the band's choosing. If you are a Crowded House fan, this compilation should be suitable.
Rating: Summary: Pleasant for fans, but videos can't match music's quality Review: As a long-time Crowded House fan living in the US, I had only seen one of these videos ("Don't Dream It's Over") before I bought this DVD. Because I'm such a fan of the band's music, I've found this DVD to be entertaining enough--but many of the videos simply aren't anything special. Some of them ("It's Only Natural," "When You Come") lack focus and can only be described in the end as a string of miscellaneous shots of the band being goofy (and as charismatic as Crowded House were onstage, sometimes their antics come across as forced in their videos). "Into Temptation," an otherwise fine video, is spoiled with a few inexplicable shots of silliness from Nick and Paul. Why couldn't they just let it be a dark, beautiful video for a dark and beautiful song? Other videos feature some cool surrealistic images ("Four Seasons," "Private Universe") but don't amount to much more than the sum of their parts. "Don't Dream It's Over" remains one of the band's best videos--its smashed plates and cups are a perfect illustration of Neil Finn's lyrical fascination with domestic breakdown. Other standouts are the appropriately ethereal "Distant Sun," the tastefully modernistic "Not the Girl You Think You Are," and "Chocolate Cake," whose bizarre humor fits well with the song. It's unsurprising that the videos don't always match the quality of Crowded House's music--they were a great band with no shortage of wonderful songs. The included live performance of "Sister Madly" is good and the included interview is interesting enough, even if most of it is redundant as it is constantly cutting to clips of their videos. Fans will definitely want to purchase this DVD, if only to decide for themselves what they think of the videos, but based on the videos' merit alone, it's occasionally great and at its worst merely OK.
Rating: Summary: Dream Come True Review: As a longtime Crowded House fan living in the United States, this compilation of videos (with bonus interview) enabled me to view a plethora of videos i had only dreamed of being able to see since the band broke up in 1996. The videos themselves range from silly to mysterious in tone, but it is the music that is the true star. If the only Crowded House song you can recognize is "Don't Dream It's Over," this DVD is a marvelous sampling of the band's repertoire. If you're a big CH fan like me, you've probably already bought it. Enjoy!
Rating: Summary: A must have for fans of Crowded House & Neil Finn! Review: As a longtime fan of CH & Neil Finn, I've hoped they would release something like this for years. It's an unfortunate thing that American radio & MTV didn't appreciate their genius like the rest of the world. Hardly a video was seen in the US beyond their S/T record. "Dreaming the Videos" has every video they ever made in chronological order, plus a bonus interview with them from 1986 when they were promoting their 1st record. I was particularly amazed by the videos from the record "Together Alone." The video for "Four Seasons In One Day" was total eye candy. The only video from that album that got play from that record here in the states was "Locked Out" because it was a song featured on the soundtrack to the movie Reality Bites. I must admit my fave reason I love this DVD is being able to watch "World Where You Live", the video/song which made me fall in love with CH back in 1986. "Don't Dream It's Over" is still one my favorites, as well. I love the kitschy/vintage 50's theme in both of those videos...Something you really get to see by watching this DVD is their wonderful sense of humor (they're goofballs!). If you were lucky enough to see them live, you probably already know what I'm talking about. I disagree with some of the other reviewers that felt that Nick and Paul's antics could be a bit distracting or take away from their brilliant music. Videos are an accompaniment to the song, they were never made to take place of the song in record form. If you wanna listen to the music, put on the record. It's as simple as that. Whether you are a longtime fan of CH, or you have discovered them recently, you should own this. It'll make you gain a whole new appreciation for them as people, not just a band.
Rating: Summary: Hap-hap-happy to have my hands on some CH Videos Review: As difficult as Crowded House videos have been to find in the U.S., this DVD is a must for any fan. There aren't any frills, but the material is priceless. Anticipate cackling with glee just to hold this thing in your hand, either because it's going to make your collection that much more fabulous or because you already know how deliciously cheesy the "Something So Strong" video is.
Rating: Summary: Great Stuff From My 2nd Favorite Band! Review: Crowded House is my favorite band of all time after The Beatles. I have seen only a few of their clips over the years, so getting this DVD was a must for me. And I got it right here from Amazon! 21 clips, in chronological order of their release including the LIVE "Sister Madly" from the "Temple Of Low Men' album. You see the progression from the raw "Mean To Me" and "Now We're Getting Somewhere" (which reminded me immediatley of The Beatles 'Ticket To Ride' sequence in the movie 'HELP!') onto the "Don't Dream It's Over" clip which is still one of the greatest ones I have ever seen. Before this DVD I had only seen the clips for "Don't Dream It's Over" (which was the first CH song I ever heard and THE one song that got me into this band,) "Something So Strong", "World Where You Live", "Into Temptation" and "Better Be Home Soon". I watched with joy last night for the first time clips for songs that I have been singing along to for years. 'Chocolate Cake' was just as zany as I expected it to be and both 'Fall At Your Feet' and 'Locked Out' fit the songs perfectly. I have a couple of gripes. Nothing that would not makes this DVD 5 stars...but...there is a great interview with the band from Catch-22 Video channel which is intercut with long pieces of the video clips you just watched! I would have loved to see just the interview, man! Also, I would have liked to see what directors credits for the clips. AND...a interior booklet with the bands' musing and comments on the various clips. A second audio track with commentary would have been the best...BUT...I'm not complaining. I'm very happy to have this DVD and I highly recommend IT and Neil Finn's '7 WORLDS COLLIDE: Neil Finn & Friends LIVE at the St. James Theatre'! Track listing (which are not listed yet here on Amazon ?!?!) 1. Mean To Me, 2. Now We're Getting Somewhere, 3. Don't Dream It's Over, 4. Something So Strong, 5. World Where You Live, 6. Better Be Home Soon, 7. Sister Madly (Live), 8. When You Come, 9. Into Temptation, 10. I Feel Possessed, 11. It's Only Natural, 12. Chocolate Cake, 13. Fall At Your Feet, 14. Weather With You, 15. Four Seasons In One Day, 16. Distant Sun, 17. Nails In My Feet, 18. Locked Out, 19. Private Universe, 20. Not The Girl You Think You Are, 21. Everything Is Good For You, 22. Catch 22 Interview.
Rating: Summary: The Crowdies are the best... Review: For a budget DVD this is worth it's weight in gold. So nice to be able to see all those Crowded House clipz. From 'Dont dream it's over" to "Chocolate Cake" I was taken on a fantastic journey. Crowded House are still at super cult stardom and after watching all these amazing video clips I love them even more. A bargain buy and a must for any collection. Frenz of the Enz Member 0714
Rating: Summary: Great Videos Review: For the first time, all Crowded House Videos on 1 DVD. All videos, except INSTINCT, which is really a shame. The rest is what we know: excellent videos, great songs. BUY!
Rating: Summary: Neil Finn is a god. Review: Frankly, it doesn't get any better than Neil Finn and Crowded House. I was a bit disappointed to see that "Fingers of Love" isn't on there (my FAVORITE song of all) and was filmed in Austin when i was in college there. I knew it was only a european release, but I hoped beyond hope it would be included. Otherwise, interesting set of videos and a bonus interview of the Crowdies from their early days. Well done interface, two thumbs up.
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