Classic Masters is a compilation album of songs by rock group Crowded House

Crowded House

Crowded House are a rock band, formed in Melbourne, Australia and led by New Zealand singer-songwriter Neil Finn. Finn is the primary songwriter and creative director of the band, having led it through several incarnations, drawing members from New Zealand , Australia and the United States...

, released in 2003.

This album was only released to the American market and focuses more on songs that were popular in America than the songs on the international release Recurring Dream: The Very Best of Crowded House

Recurring Dream

Recurring Dream is a compilation album by rock group Crowded House, released in 1996. It includes most of their singles, as well as three new songs, "Not the Girl You Think You Are", "Instinct", and "Everything Is Good for You".-Background:...

.

Critical reception

Allmusic writer Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Stephen Thomas Erlewine is a senior editor for Allmusic. He is the author of many artist biographies and record reviews for Allmusic, as well as a freelance writer, occasionally contributing liner notes. He is also frontman and guitarist for the Ann Arbor-based band Who Dat?Erlewine is the nephew...

 criticized that the compilation album contained such a large percentage of obscure singles, album songs, and rare tracks.
Erlewine said the collection, "while listenable, is far from their classic work, and pales dramatically in comparison to Recurring Dream."
Gregg Shapiro of Windy City Times

Windy City Times

Windy City Times is Chicago's oldest LGBT newspaper, and the only Chicago gay publication with an independent circulation audit current as of 2008....

was more favorable, stating that the collection was worthwhile thanks to the album's two live recordings, "When You Come" and "Sister Madly".

Track listing

All songs were written by Neil Finn

Neil Finn

Neil Mullane Finn, OBE is a New Zealand Pop recording artist. Along with his brother Tim Finn, he was the co-frontman for Split Enz and is now frontman for Crowded House...

, except where noted.

1. "Something So Strong
   Something So Strong
   "Something So Strong" is a rock song written by Neil Finn and performed by the band Crowded House for their debut album Crowded House. It was released as the album's final single. The song lends its title to the book Something So Strong by Australian biographer Chris Bourke, which catalogues the...
   
   " (N. Finn, Mitchell Froom
   Mitchell Froom
   -Career:Froom began his career as a keyboard player in Sonoma County, California. The band Crossfire featured two keyboards players; Mitchell on one side of the stage and brother David on the other with Gary Pihl on guitar...
   
   ) – 2:52
2. "Weather with You
   Weather with You
   "Weather with You" is a 1991 song by rock group Crowded House. It was the third and most successful single released from the group's third studio album Woodface, reaching top fifty charts in six countries with a peak of #7 in the United Kingdom....
   
   " (N. Finn, Tim Finn
   Tim Finn
   Brian Timothy "Tim" Finn, OBE is a New Zealand singer and musician. Finn is most known for his music with New Zealand 1970s and 1980s rock group Split Enz, and later for his solo work, a temporary membership in his brother Neil's band Crowded House and his joint efforts with Neil Finn as the Finn...
   
   ) – 3:44
3. "When You Come
   When You Come
   "When You Come" is a song by rock group Crowded House and was released in August 1988 on Capitol Records as the second Australian single from their second album Temple of Low Men. The song peaked at #27 on the ARIA Singles Chart. Both B sides, "Something So Strong" and "Better Be Home Soon" were...
   
    Live" – 5:47 ♥
4. "Don't Dream It's Over
   Don't Dream It's Over
   -12": Capitol / 12CL 438 United Kingdom :* also available on CD and MC-Personnel:*Neil Finn: Vocals and guitar*Nick Seymour: Bass guitar*Paul Hester: Drums and backing vocals*Mitchell Froom: Keyboards-Release history:- Charts :...
   
   " – 3:55
5. "Fingers of Love
   Fingers of Love
   "Fingers of Love" is a 1994 song by rock group Crowded House from the group's fourth studio album Together Alone. It was released as a single in May 1994 and peaked at number 25 on the UK Singles Chart....
   
   " - 4:26
6. "Nails in My Feet
   Nails in My Feet
   "Nails in My Feet" is a 1993 song by rock group Crowded House. It was the second single released from the group's fourth studio album Together Alone.-UK CD set:...
   
   " - 3:39
7. "Never Be the Same" - 4:28
8. "Chocolate Cake
   Chocolate Cake (song)
   "Chocolate Cake" is a 1991 song by Australasian rock group Crowded House from their 1991 album Woodface. The song was not originally intended as the lead single, as it was intended for "It's Only Natural" to be the lead track. However, despite this, "Chocolate Cake" was released as the album's lead...
   
   " (N. Finn, T. Finn) - 4:02
9. "It's Only Natural" (N. Finn, T. Finn) – 3:32
10. "Distant Sun
    Distant Sun
    "Distant Sun" is a 1993 song by rock group Crowded House. It was the first single released from the group's fourth studio album Together Alone...
    
    " Remix – 3:50 ♥
11. "Sister Madly" Live - 2:57 ♥
12. "Hole in the River" (N. Finn, Eddie Rayner
    Eddie Rayner
    Eddie Rayner , is a New Zealand musician who has played in bands such as Split Enz, Space Waltz, Crowded House, The Makers and 801....
    
    ) - 3:56

♥ Not available on other albums