In 1987 Crowded House had a worldwide hit on their hands with the ballad, "Don't Dream It's Over ". It reached number-two on the charts, helped their album go platinum and another cut, "Something So Strong" hit the top-ten. In the years that followed, they never matched that same success here in the United States, but continued to cut album after album of surprisingly enduring material. Recently, at the House of Blues in Chicago "Don't Dream It's Over" was faithful to the original with an incandescent sing-a-long by 1,400-fans. Neil Finn's guitar chords shimmered sheen while his vocals proved nostalgic. Most acts on the road today ride a wave of wistfulness where their momentary flash of pop supremacy allows them to have careers. But what makes Crowded House such bliss to see in concert is that no matter what their record sales were, they delivered one sterling record after another and continue to do so. After a decade long hiatus, they returned with 2007's Time on Earth and their recently released Intriguer, both intricate yet pleasing albums that at the outset seem indistinct but after one full listen, they wrap themselves around you like a safety blanket. Since 1987, it hasn't been about a string of singles or hits, but an on-going career. Their following is full of fervent followers and their numbers have only grown stronger, led by Finn's profound knack for writing songs. "Don't Dream It's Over" wasn't the only sing-a-long moment, but merely one of several. As the primary songwriter, Finn not only had a knack for aural candy while never writing an embarrassing lyric; how bows to the craft first and foremost.

A peculiar choice for an opener, "I Feel Possessed" was lined with an aching tension as the band started their 140-minute set. It was almost as if they slowly wanted to build everything up only to tear it down again and start the process all over once again."Mean To Me" instantly sparked the crowd with Finn's twang Australian voice but when the band kicked in here, that voice was no longer in hibernation but was brought out for a full force work out. "Twice If You're Lucky", a new cut from Intriguer found Finn on piano with the other four members of the band floating around Finn's mystical and magical lyrics. This is the type of song that in a different realm could be a huge hit. Finn's lyrics tell whimsical tale of the wonders of life. It didn't matter that I wasn't wholly familiar with every song, by the end, I knew them, "Don't Stop Now", a cut from Time On Earth, with its hushed chorus perked up towards the end while "Either Side of the World" featured a great little bass line, compliments of Nick Seymour, with nary a guitar within shouting distance and yet it's typical Finn with some sincere lyrics. You look around and see mouths moving and whispering the verses to themselves only to start wailing them when it hits the chorus. Chicago's House of Blues was brimming with voices that serenaded the band as they performed their music on stage. They have a more devoted and fervent following that acts that play places ten times larger.

"Fall At Your Feet" is one of their more seminal songs. Finn writes songs with a weepy and dreamy state highlighted by the flying-on-a-cloud aesthetic. Their music requires a close listen but if you deem it good enough to hear it, you'll be rewarded. This wasn't about singing the song at the top of your lungs in a drunken manner but a mutual respect between band and fan. Ditto "It's Only Natural" which was performed with enough staunch and punch to make it believable. Most people think the most important aspect of a song is the chorus, but Crowded House is a marvelous example of how to build a song up with a devilish jolt to take it to the next level towards the finish. As the stage lights captured the band's shadows on the backdrop behind them, Finn dug deep on "Isolation" from Intriguer. The slow moody ballad with harmonious backing vocals (courtesy of Sharon Finn) led to some intense expression from Finn where his face was beet red. Sharon Finn remained on-stage to join the band on "Archer's Arrows", another cut from Intriguer featuring Finn on piano. Songs like these find Crowded House at their best. No one instrument overwhelms another but there is enough space for all of the instruments to breathe. The largely guitar less track had a wonderfully sumptuous build-up before Finn faded the tune out with his sprinkling organ fills. The Creedence Clearwater Revival cover "Born on the Bayou" with guitarist Mark Hart on vocals demonstrated a collective aesthetic to the band. Despite Finn being the primary vocalist and songwriter, you don't feel as if it's his band whereas the musicians that inhabit the stage give off a aura of it being their band. There may have been some loss of momentum during this midsection of the show, but none of that seemed to matter. The fans sat there and took it all in one lyric at a time hanging on every note and lyric performed. Finn's father even spoke to the crowd via Skype in an endearing moment where he commented how crummy the weather was in his part of the world. After a series of songs that found the band pacing themselves "Nails In My Feet" kicked open the door for the remainder of the show with the band in an relentless mood capturing rock n' roll's primal urges led by some feverish guitar work by Finn. The spellbinding "When You Come" found Finn wailing on the chorus unleashing a flurry of emotions from within while simultaneously providing a moment for the audience to grasp and release as well. The bouncing electric guitar chords from his Les Paul reverberate like a jingle on "Locked Out" which shook the crowd; one of those perfectly written and produced pop songs. From here on out, the band sprinted to the crossing line with "I Got You" (a Split Enz cover) and "Weather with You" fully charging the audience who put their vocal chords to great use. The finale of "Better Be Home Soon" was warm, comforting and downright endearing.

Instead of following trends or chasing hits, to put it simply, Crowded House creates great music. If this wasn't enough, their concerts are like family affairs, where the walls between the crowd and the band dissipate and they become one. Even if you're not wholly familiar with the band's catalog, have no fear, the crowd will pull you in and make you one of their own. With a series of albums so wildly consistent and invigorating, by the end you will feel as if you just caught up with a long lost friend and I can't think of any better way to spend a few hours of your life.

Anthony Kuzminski is a Chicago based writer and Special Features Editor for the antiMusic Network. His daily writings can be read at The Screen Door. He can be contacted at thescreendoor AT gmail DOT com and can be followed on Twitter

Set List:
1. I Feel Possessed
2. Mean To Me
3. Twice If You're Lucky
4. Either Side Of The World
5. Don't Stop Now
6. Fall At Your Feet
7. It's Only Natural
8. Whispers And Moans
9. Isolation (with Sharon Finn)
10. Archer's Arrows (with Sharon Finn)
11. Chocolate Cake
12. Elephants
13. Born On The Bayou (Mark Hart on vocals)
14. Nails In My Feet
15. Hole In The River
16. Don't Dream It's Over
17. When You Come
18. In My Command
19. Encore:
19. Four Seasons In One Day
20. Locked Out
21. I Got You (Split Enz cover)
22. Weather With You
23. Better Be Home Soon