'Recurring Dream', made up of four songs from each of the Crowded House releases plus three additional tracks, is a best-of worthy of the name. The strength of the songwriting, the beauty of the harmonies, the intelligence of the lyrics - all Crowded House givens by this point - are evident on song after song. Old favorites 'Don't Dream It's Over,' 'Better Be Home Soon,' and 'I Feel Possessed' demonstrate that Neil Finn wrote great songs right from the band's inception. After working with producer Mitchell Froom for seven years, Crowded House changed direction and hired former Killing Joke member Youth, a move that brought about more of a world-music flavor. The swirling 'Pineapple Head,' haunting 'Private Universe,' and 'Distant Sun,' the group's last single, are three of the beneficiaries of this later partnership.