Temple Of Low Men  by Crowded House

The Temple Of Low Men from 1988 was not Crowded House's second album. At the same time, though, it was the dark, introspective response to the huge success of their debut. After the global shine of Don't Dream It's Over, Neil Finn felt the pressure of expectation, even joking that the album should be called "Mediocre Follow-Up". Instead, he delivered a lyrical masterpiece that delved into themes of guilt, temptation, and existential anxiety.

The album was recorded between 1987-1988 at the Platinum Studios in Melbourne and the Sunset Sound Factory in Los Angeles. All the songs were written by the charismatic Neil Finn, while the album was produced by Mitchell Froom, who enriched the sound with melancholic keyboards and an atmosphere that many described as "Beatles-esque". The cover was designed by the group's bassist, Nick Seymour, reflecting the band's artistic identity. From the Temple Of Low Men emerged classic singles such as: Better Be Home Soon, which was also the album's biggest hit, Into Temptation, and Sister Madly with Richard Thompson's characteristic solo.

Although it did not reach the top in the U.S. (it reached No. 40 on the Billboard 200), it conquered No. 1 in Australia and No. 2 in New Zealand, winning four ARIA awards. For Crowded House, the Temple Of Low Men was pivotal. It proved that they were not a "one-hit wonder" but a band with depth, capable of transforming melancholy into timeless pop.