Crowded House: Something So Strong [Paperback]

Chris Bourke (Author), Chris Bourke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1997

376 pages. 37 B&W photos, 15 colour plates. Extensive UK, US and Australian discography. 376 pages. ISBN 0 7329 0886 8

Editorial Reviews

Review

A strong and satisfyingly detailed portrait. --Peter Wilmoth, Sunday Age, Melbourne

An engaging book ... by which writing about popular music in Australasia will be measured for years to come. --Stuart Coupe, Australian Book Review

Something So Strong is definitive, amusing, brutally honest, and a stark reminder of just how special Crowded House were. --Peter Holder, Daily Telegraph, Sydney

About the Author

The author is one of New Zealand's leading music writers, and had complete access to the band for research and interviews.

Product Details

• Paperback: 376 pages
• Publisher: Macmillan Australia (May 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0732908868
• ISBN-13: 978-0732908867
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,248,575 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Reading For Any Music Fan, December 10, 2000

By 

Daryl Mann (London, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crowded House: Something So Strong (Paperback)

`SOMETHING SO STRONG' by Chris Bourke is arguably the greatest book ever written about a rock band. It is detailed, entertaining and informative. As well, the book is almost impossible to put down. Although the author is clearly a fan, he doesn't dodge around any contentious issues. He seems to have had unfettered access to the individuals involved with Crowded House and that, of course, is always a plus. Any music buff, regardless of whether you're a Crowded house fan or not, will enjoy reading `SOMETHING SO STRONG'. I've read dozens of books about musical groups and this tome is far and away the best. If I have a beef, it's that the Canadian market (where the band was huge) is pretty much ignored. For that you must read `PRIVATE UNIVERSE' by Doole and Twomey.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inside the world where they lived, May 27, 2006

By 

Moyneen (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crowded House: Something So Strong (Paperback)

A great read about a great band that never quite fulfilled its potential. Something So Strong shows that writing and performing wonderful songs is only part of a band's journey. There's also dealing with the music business, and fashion. 'Something So Strong' gets inside the band, tells detailed stories about how the music was created, and also tells the other story: how the music business operates. The band made some mistakes - releasing 'Chocolate Cake' was one of them - but so too did Capitol. It's the best book on how a record is made and marketed since 'Star Making Machinery'.
PS, contrary to what it says here, the book is readily - and cheaply - available through Amazon's UK site amazon.co.uk .

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top Read!, January 16, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crowded House: Something So Strong (Paperback)

The ballad of Crowded House, told by Chris Bourke, is entertaining, thanks to the way it was written. What makes this biography so enjoyable is that the author doesn't tiptoe around issues that arose during the band's lifetime. Although Crowded House kept aiming at the US market, the impact that they had in Europe, as well as Australia, is equally important, perhaps even more so, than this. Unlike other reviewers, I don't think it is necessary to label the band as US '2 hit wonders' when clearly they've made an impact elsewhere. Bourke chronicles this struggle well, and top marks go to his research. Great book - must for any Crowdies fan.