Friday, February 13, 2015

Antipodean Week...Day Five

Antipodean week draws to a close today and there was always only going to be one band to finish off this mini series. Not just the best Australian band of all time, they are quite simply one of the best bands of all time. One of my best purchases over the years was that 50p I spent to buy the 12" of Lee Remick, still to this day one of may all time favourite songs. 

Between 1983 and 2006 The Go Betweens released nine albums of some of the finest music I own. Why tracks like Streets Of Your Town, Right Here and Spring Rain were not massive hits all over the world is still a complete mystery to me and many others. Melodic, lyrical literate pop music was their stock in trade and they done it better than anyone. You could argue all day about which one of their albums was their career high point but 16 Lovers Lane is certainly up there. The record is mostly acoustic with some beautiful string arrangements and melodies to die for. It is their most polished and accessible album, but is all the better for it. On the surface, it’s bright, shiny and deceptively sweet but lurking underneath are themes of pain, destruction and obsession. I've always been a fan of bands that have that ability to combine dark lyrics with sweet melodies. 

I was fortunate enough to see them play live a few times including their final Glasgow gig at The Renfrew Ferry in Glasgow back in 2005, a year before the sad passing of Grant McLennan. Although not the original line up it was fantastic to see McLennan and Robert Forster together on the stage again in front of a few hundred adoring fans. Highlights of that May evening were Streets Of Your Town, People Say, Spring Rain, Bye Bye Pride and a stunning version of Cattle and Cane. I also have a vague recollection of Dive For Your Memory being dedicated to their old friend Edwyn Collins, who had recently taken ill.

Each of the nine studio albums are worth having, from 1983's angular Send Me A Lullaby right up to the stripped-down, lush atmosphere of 2005's Oceans Apart, and there are not many bands out there who have produced albums of such a consistently high standard.




 

  

4 comments:

  1. An excellent series Scott with some new bands on me.I was late to the Go-Betweens party but what a superb band they were. I've some NZ music lined up for the near future

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  2. I wanted to second CC's kind words. What a great week. Also, a tip of the cap for the 50p you spent on the Able Label singles record. I paid a pretty penny for that one. I thought you might get a gentle challenge for your pick of 16 Lovers Lane as I know you have some readers that love Before Hollywood. As for me, it's too close to call. Like you say, every album is a keeper.

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  3. It's a yes from me for the Go-Betweens.

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  4. I really enjoyed doing this mini series so delighted that it has been so well received.
    CC - looking forward to your forthcoming New Zealand posts.
    Brian - the Able Label 12" was bought with Felt's Ballad Of The Band 12" for £1.00 for both of them which was some bargain. Before Hollywood would certainly be in my Top 3 along with Tallulah.
    Adam - they really were such a great band.

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