Calenture

This album sounds cringe for some reason. It’s boring and nothing special. Not the worst I have listened to but cannot give it higher than 2/5

Very generic 80s.

Mediocre version of other bands of that era

I couldn't pay attention to this and what I could hear was not very enjoyable.

reminds me of miracle legion!

OK.

I surprisingly liked this album. Noting Earth shattering, but a lovely 80s pop/rock album that I enjoyed listening to.

Generously speaking, there are probably 300 albums you must hear before you die. Whether you like them or not, they are vital, and you probably should learn to appreciate them if you don't. (That's category one.) Next, I'd venture that there are about 450 albums that you don't HAVE to hear, but you might like some of them based on your taste. They're fine. Some are better than fine. (That's category two.) Then there are about 250 albums that you absolutely don't have to hear before you die, and it's offensive that they've been added to this list. Almost all the electronica goes here BTW. (That's category three.) That leaves one album. And while I can't remember the name of the band, it's the noisy one where Nazis are screaming at you. (That's category four.) I'm pleased to report that this is category TWO, not three, and fortunately not four. It is not offensive or harmful. It follows the principle “first, do no harm.” You may not be inspired but you’ll be ok.

80s rock also occurred in New Zealand, and this album proves it. I am wondering if it occurred in Iceland as well. Time will tell.

It's alright but it can be a little repetitive at times.

Gloriously, painfully 80s pop. Probably best left where it came from.

This was nice, but also sounded very dated, very much "of its time". I enjoyed the listen, but need a few extra soins

Calenture is an okay album that doesn't go all the way but is still an alright listen. This is basically as typical 80s alt rock album as typical 80s alt rock albums get. You have all the ingredients for them, Theatric sounding vocals, check. Slow, sometimes melodic guitars, check. Drumming that's only really there to help progress the melodies, check. Some other instrument like a piano or violin, well, they are both here so check. This album never really does anything unique or different to help itself stand out from it's contemporaries but i still can't call this album bad. The songs here could have some pretty good moments so it is an album that i can say is decent but there is better out there. Best Song: Kelly's Blues Worst Song: Bury Me Deep in Love

Not my jam.

Not totally sure what to make of this. A great voice and a lot of depth to it. In parts melancholy and joyful, from a great Aussie band I’d never heard of.

=The Beatles

Standard 80s drivel

No No No. And not in the Destiny's Child way.

Absolutely victims of their contemporaries - every song reminds me of something else that fits in "right around that time" which makes me think that how the Triffids were cut from the same cloth. So how do they differentiate? They don't. The lyrics are fine, the delivery is fine, the production is overwrought. There's a bit of variety here, but they probably shoulda fine-tuned their Thing a bit more, if you want my entirely unsolicited and uneducated opinion. Truly in the realm of Just Fine, but probably better left in the 80s.

At least it's not another Leonard Cohen album.

Hated the first song, and strapped in for a very miserable and long ride. Luckily they turned it around and had some enjoyable moments later on. Nothing too special to say though, but in the end at least I wasn't counting down until the end

long album, felt repetitive but sounded half decent

The most meh ive ever felt on this list. Its like the creators of the list want you to know how average music can be

solid 80s indie music

A lot to say and dig into here! I think the way this album addresses tragedy and loss is really beautiful. On the other side of the coin, I think the way this album addresses love and romance is often shallow and dull. Even with that in mind, the opener “Bury Me Deep In Love” is still memorable, and establishes the singers super powerful vocal presence. That vocal presence impressed me throughout, he has a very full, grand voice. “Hometown Farewell Kiss” is completely an Aussie take on something Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band we’re doing a while before, but it’s still super fun and punchy. Also, it’s so sad! I wonder if this pulls from the same inspiration/tragic events “Beds Are Burning” pulls from. “Jerdacuttup Man” was so cool that it led me down the rabbit hole of this songs inspiration coming from a museum visit. Also that chorus! So good. Sooooo so so good. This is probably my highlight on the record. The way it transitions into the gothic piano interlude on the next song is fantastic. This album isn’t perfect though. “Baby Can I Walk You Home” is a good example of the cheesy, more boring parts of this record. So happy I get to listen to albums like these because of this list. Would never have known about them otherwise. Hidden gems, almost a 4, strong 3 / 5 stars!

Not much stood out, but it was catchy enough that I found myself really enjoying it.

Meh

I tried. I really did. I gave this two full listens. This just isn’t good to me. Everything on here was done better elsewhere leaving this feeling hollow.

Pretty good.

Very late 80s. Can’t think who it reminds me of: Wire Train? Starts strong with the single, fizzles out.

This is my first listen of a band I actually didn't know. Currently "bury me deep in love." The production is really good on this first track. Almost a Roxy Music vibe. Love the keys in this. Not really a fan of this song. Kinda repetitive. Does give me that post punk sound but I don't think I would search this out. Kelly's Blues has a great intro. Love the guitar and beat with the bass. Don't think I have ever heard a bass with this sound. Kelly's Blues is better imo. Trick of the Light, it's okay. I don't know. This album has yet to really catch me yet. The singer is great, production is great. But it's just too sappy for me. Hometown Farewell Kiss really solidified my dislike for this haha. That guttural Heugh he does in the song cracks me up. Yeah, this album is not good...for me at least. I can see the appeal. Especially in the past and it's influence on post punk. But the lyrics aren't that great. The music is sappy and takes itself too seriously.

After reading all the negative reviens, I wanted to be a contrarian and actively looked for positives om the album. Well, tracks 9 and 10 are listenable. The rest of the album is dull new wave-ish pop with both production, vocals and especially song writing being below par. Nothing much going on here, on to the next!

This voice reminded me of Nick Cave. I liked the blurry production on this one. Trick of the Light was my favorite. A bit too long but glad I heard it. Light 4.

Never heard of this band. Perfectly fine alternative pop album but no real reason to have it on this list.

Never heard of this band before. This felt more like new-wave than post punk to me as it sounds poppier than most post punk I've heard. It's not anything groundbreaking, but it's not bad either. Some good and retro sounding melodies.

Generally good pop-rock songs, love the melody and the jangling guitar. the cover looks a bit like robert smith the music reminds me of the cure a little bit too, that "Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me" vibe, makes sense they came out the same year.

This was okay? It has a 90s sound, even though it's from 1987. At times I kind of liked it, but overall, I found it mostly meh. I did like "Open For You" so I'm going to keep that for my playlist.

I've had quite a few bland albums to listen to lately. Usually, I can understand why they're on the list. Sometimes it's because they sold incredibly well - Taylor Swift, Adele or David Gray. Sometimes it's because of their associations with other, important, artists - The Band, or they're historically interesting - A lot of the 50s jazz. This album and band are none of those things. I really don't get why it's on the list. I wouldn't make an effort to turn it off if I was in the middle of something else, which is my definition of a 2, but its non-descript, middle of the road, AOR only just about scrapes a 3 from me.

Why on earth did I need to listen to this before I die!? This is some of the most sterile, lifeless music I’ve ever heard. Most tracks sound like 80’s Contemporary Christian music. 1 star.

Even though this is shite, there are far worse that have found their way on to this list. So relatively speaking, I think a 2 is fair. That said, I will never willingly listen to it again.

Saw the reviews and thought that other people were being too harsh on 'em. Heard the album, and nope, you're all correct! The Triffids kinda suck.

Couldn’t get into this at all. Not sure what to make of it, none of it grabbed me, nothing stood out so I’m at a loss.

I listened to the original 12 track set from 1987, and came to the conclusion that The Triffids (a triffid, I learned, is the plant from John Wyndham's The Day of the Triffids) achieved what U2 never did: make inspired pop music that, perhaps to their own chagrin, is deep down a melange of Christianity. Much of this is religious saccharinity, w/ lyrics negotiating 'one less soul on your fiery list,' 'holy water,' and 'your secret delight in vice.' And yet, David McComb's voice is strong and convincing, I genuinely enjoyed tracks like 'A Trick of the Light' and 'Jerdacuttup Man,' and memorable lyrics like these have something true to offer: 'How can I put it in between words?'; 'I was beating on her like an anvil / Beating her out of original shape'; 'Steal it all.'

Quite forgettable tracks for the most part but quite liked Kelly's Blues. Won't revisit the whole album anytime soon though.

Poor. Not memorable in the slightest.

chill, alright

I bought the Trick Of The Light single back in the day on the back of a journos rave review, I imagine. I was non-plussed then and remain mostly non-plussed. The first track is quite beautiful to be fair. Others sound like bad INXS.

No comment

There are a lot of bang average tracks in this album and I’m struggling to understand quite why it was included on this list as my life doesn’t feel particularly richer having listened to it. In the main, the vocals are very non-descript, the tunes mediocre, and generally the album lacks a sense of depth. It also has too many 80’s pop influences like drum machines for me to take it seriously. However, I quite liked the tracks with the Hammond organs, whilst for me the standout tracks were Blinder by t!he hour and Jerdacuttup man. Still not better than OK ish overall

6/10

Boring :/

Fine. 80s folks rocky.

Quite bad, don't see why it's on the list

In a nutshell: nauseatingly melodramatic. I'm not a Triffids fan but I can safely say on behalf of many Australian music lovers that "Born Sandy Devotional" should be here instead. Fans adore it. Critics rated it highly. It inspired many indie rock/indie folk artists of the 80s through to early 90s. On Calenture, the lyrics are deep and the delivery hymnal (just like Nick Cave). David McCombs' crooning is irritating though. The production feels too clean. Too polished. Overall: 1/10

This guy has a similar vocal delivery to Matt Johnson, and I find it similarly dissatisfying. Songs were pretty unmemorable.

aight

Started off hating this - felt so poor and basic, then began to hear some of the postpunk sound and feel to it, then gave it another listen and really began to get into it. Totally get why it would be an acquired taste, but there's real music and feeling in here. One more listen amd I'd have been at 4 stars, rather than 3.5...

Good pop album which has a lot of potential but doesn't quite reach it's destination. Though marked by some poor production, I really like the overall themes of isolation and desperation.

Fears for tears Simpler minds Depeish mode Uncultured club Old order Frankie doesn’t go to Hollywood Oh, they’re Australian? Nick cave and the worse seeds Men slacking off INXEEDINGLYSMALLQUANTITY Empty house Bleh. This sucks

Wow! I had never heard of this band before, and I love this album! This, THIS, is the reason we've taken on this challenge! I love finding something new that I love - especially when it's been out for such a long time - a whole new discography to explore!

Many times I question how 1001 selects their albums. I think to myself how did they find this, and what on earth would possess them to think we all need to hear this? Well, even a blind squirrel find a nut once in a while. Today 1001 found an obscure Australian 80s pop band, and damn did this hit. This is a very well thought out album. An album for those who love art, not just music.

Not too much to get that excited by. Felt like they were trying to by U2 at their blandest.

Generally uninspiring, but it did get better as the album went along. I get the underdog vibe from this band and I do like to root for the underdog.

Yay, middle of the road slightly gothy indie rock. Sounds like it should be on the soundtrack for The Lost Boys, but probably a B side version as none of these songs would make the cut. Uninspired.

Some songs are near to Cult, some boring ballads

Un grupo con una discografía esencial como pocas. Este o Born sandy devotional son sus mejores álbumes. La apertura con Bury me deep in love, Kelly´s blues y A trick of the light es simplemente imbatible. Por el medio joyas como Blinded by the hour o Jerdacuttup Man. El final con Save what you can es fabuloso. Sin ellos no habría Tindersticks, ni Suede ni tantos otros. ¿El The Joshua Tree australiano? Eso y mucho más. 5/5

OK-e Rockmusik. 2S.

Just normal music

This shit ass, bro. Whilst I did think some people were blowing it way out of proportion with their hatred of it, that’s still not enough to save it. It’s bland, it’s boring, there is absolutely no substance to this album at all… All whilst the vocalist tries to convey some “deep and meaningful” lyrics, making the whole album sound like it’s trying too hard, like a sixth form student smoking weed for the same time, starting to cry and saying we are all the same in God’s eyes. There’s a massive stink of Chris de Burgh on this album, it’s very Christian Rock kind of vibes. Writing a song about a caveman on display in the museum must be one of the most lukewarm takes I’ve ever heard, the most cheesy fucking thing I’ve ever heard. Which just about sums this album up.

A bit same-y sounding. But a fun upbeat listen. Favorites: A Trick of the Light, Region Unknown, Unmade Love (for its heavier rock sound)

Meh

Fuck you man

Sucks

I forgot I was listening to this. Perfectly fine but perfectly bland.

Why pick this instead of Born Sandy Devotional? It's like going through the faeces instead of eating the meal.

3 out of 5. Better than I thought it would be.

I don’t think it deserves some of the hate that it gets but it still wasn’t for me. I’d probably go with 2.5 stars if I could but I’ll just stick with 2

2.5 stars

This might be the most mediocre album on the list.

The moon mocks me

This album definitely has some good ideas, and I do love the vocals. However the sloppy production and uninteresting instrumentation drag it down a lot.

Wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, but it’s too long and boring

Far too long

Aussie rock

Who are The Triffids? Are they a new wave band? A sophisti-pop band? A goth band? A college rock/alt rock band? Despite listening to Calenture twice through, I still don’t think I can really answer that question. Honestly, I don’t think The Triffids themselves could answer it, either! Throughout Calenture, The Triffids act as chameleons of the 1980s, flipping through a JC Penny’s catalog of musical styles, taking sips and making comments as if they’re on a wine tour, moving on to the next shiny idea like a little kid at Christmas. There’s a little bit of everything here, as if the band is making an attempt to throw every idea at the wall to see which one sticks on pop radio. You have sophisti-pop on “Bury Me Deep in Love” and “Hometown Farewell Kiss.” You also get a little post-punk with “Kelly’s Blues” and “Unmade Love,” and more traditional college rock quirk sprinkled here and there. You have some Smiths pastiche with “A Trick of the Light” and some U2 knocks with “Holy Water.” There’s songs that are just pure ‘80s-ness™️ put into a blender, like “Blinder by the Hour” or “Jerdacuttup Man”– two tracks that sound nothing alike, yet they both sound like no one in particular and everyone in particular. You also get pure ‘80s sap in “Calenture” and “Save What You Can.” The Triffids can succeed in any of these styles, and while my ears prefer the sophisti-pop because I’m a dork, I like something from each of these ideas, and sometimes, I even like a whole song. But The Triffids never excel at any of these styles they’re trying on. Even when they write a song I like, I can think of 20 other similar-sounding ‘80s tunes that I’d rather be listening to instead of The Triffids. And I think a large reason why they don’t excel at anything is because they lack commitment to one singular style. None of these songs ever make me feel like I could say, “That’s what The Triffids sound like.” I’m not saying that a band needs to be painted into a corner, even within the confines of a single record, but Calenture is not a cohesive, focused listen. I felt constantly juked around, pulled by the arm into a room with a band that seems to the same group of folks playing the same type of songs, but they also sound completely different each time I see them. And even when they do play a song that sounds stylistically similar to something they played earlier, that doesn’t mean I’ll love their second attempt. As Calenture went on, my mind was worn down by the madness of change. That madness also started to make Calenture feel a lot longer than it is, and since it ends on two solemn, piano-driven tracks, by the end, I basically lost any investment I gained along the way. On the surface, The Triffids feel like a band I would like. I’m a sucker for ‘80s-ness™️ in all its forms, and Calenture has all those forms on display in one place. But the more I sat with it, the more it irritated me. I could’ve just done with one sound, one vision, and enjoyed that by diving all-in; instead, I’m left with mediocrity across the board, and no real thread to tie it all together. There are worse records on this list, and worse records overflowing with 80s-ness™️ on here, too, but mediocrity doesn’t win over new fans. I think there’s a reason time forgot this album, and it feels like a real waste of space on this list. While it does nothing wrong to get that critique, it also does very little well enough to avoid that critique. Maybe if I had a better sense of who The Triffids are as a band by the end of Calenture, I’d be less harsh. Unfortunately, I still have no idea who The Triffids are, and I don’t think they know, either.

Masterful. Reminiscent of Peter Paul and Mary.

Sehr klassisch Alternative; eh okay

Not sure of the direction of this. Liked the early Triffids stuff but by the one seems to meander all over still better than Nico.

Alors, voilà. On y est. Le moment que je redoutais un peu, celui où le grand livre sacré des "1001 Albums" me sert sur un plateau un disque que je suis censé vénérer, un disque que toute la critique bien-pensante a érigé en monument, et où je me retrouve, après une énième écoute, avec la même sensation qu'un gamin devant une assiette d'endives au jambon : je vois bien que c'est un plat cuisiné, qu'il y a des ingrédients de qualité, mais bordel, qu'est-ce que je me fais chier. The Triffids "Calenture". Rien que le nom du groupe et le titre de l'album, ça pue l'intello. Ça sent le groupe que tu découvrais dans les pages import des magazines "branchés", le genre de came que les critiques s'échangeaient sous le manteau en se gargarisant de leur bon goût. Et je ne dis pas ça pour dénigrer, j'ai fait partie de cette secte. À l'époque, en 87, j'avais 17 balais, et un groupe australien, pour moi, c'était AC/DC ou INXS. The Triffids, c'était une autre planète. Une planète pour les gens qui lisaient des livres compliqués. Des années plus tard, dans mon magasin de disques, j'en ai vendu, du "Calenture". Je le conseillais même, porté par sa réputation de chef-d'oeuvre maudit, de perle noire du rock des antipodes. "Tu aimes Nick Cave ? Les Go-Betweens ? Tu vas adorer The Triffids." Et les gens revenaient, un peu comme moi aujourd'hui, avec un air poli mais distant, l'air de celui qui n'ose pas avouer qu'il n'a pas compris où était le génie. Car il faut être honnête, ce disque est nimbé d'une aura. "Calenture", ce mot étrange qui désigne une sorte de délire tropical qui pousserait les marins à se jeter à la mer en la confondant avec des prairies verdoyantes. Poétique, non ? Les thèmes abordés sont profonds, c'est une certitude : la mort, l'amour déçu, l'isolement, la perte... David McComb, le leader et parolier, n'était pas un rigolo. C'était un poète, un vrai, avec une vision sombre et romantique du monde. Sur le papier, tout est là pour me plaire. Alors, pourquoi ce putain de 2 sur 5 ? Parce que la forme, ne suit pas toujours le fond. "Calenture" est un disque de son époque, et pas forcément pour le meilleur. La production, bien que luxueuse pour un groupe "indé", est engluée dans cette reverb typique des années 80, ce son propre, presque clinique, qui a tendance à gommer les aspérités et à lisser les émotions. Ça sonne ample, c'est vrai. Les arrangements sont riches, avec des cordes, des cuivres, tout le saint-frusquin. Mais cette opulence étouffe la noirceur. Au lieu d'un diamant brut, on se retrouve avec un bijou un peu trop poli, qui brille mais ne coupe plus. Je cherche la fièvre promise par le titre, le délire, la folie qui devrait me pousser à me jeter par la fenêtre. Et je ne trouve qu'une mélancolie élégante, presque bourgeoise. C'est du rock de salon, impeccablement exécuté. La voix de McComb, souvent portée aux nues, participe à ce sentiment. Elle est belle, grave, habitée, mais elle manque de cette fêlure, de cette rage rentrée qui fait la grandeur d'un Nick Cave ou d'un Mark E. Smith. C'est trop contrôlé, trop appliqué. Bien sûr, il y a des moments de grâce. "Bury Me Deep in Love" est une ballade magnifique, un classique qui justifierait presque à lui seul l'écoute. "A Trick of the Light" possède une tension cinématographique indéniable. On sent l'ambition démesurée, la volonté de créer une oeuvre totale, un grand disque sur la condition humaine. Mais l'ensemble est inégal. On passe d'un morceau poignant à une tentative pop-rock un peu datée qui sonne comme du Lloyd Cole en moins inspiré. Et c'est ça, le problème de "Calenture". C'est un disque qui se voudrait intemporel mais qui est profondément ancré dans son esthétique. Il a l'ambition d'un classique mais le son d'une époque. Pour moi qui ai passé des années à disséquer des disques, à chercher la petite bête, l'étincelle qui fait la différence entre un bon album et un disque qui te change la vie, "Calenture" reste dans la première catégorie. C'est un disque respectable. Un disque "important", comme disent les critiques qui veulent se la péter. Mais est-ce un disque que je dois absolument entendre avant de mourir ? Franchement, si la faucheuse se pointe demain, je ne pense pas que mon dernier regret sera de ne pas avoir réécouté "Jerdacuttup Man". Je comprends qu'on puisse l'aimer, l'aduler même. C'est une question de sensibilité, de moment. Peut-être qu'il faut être d'humeur à apprécier cette tristesse feutrée, cette poésie un peu amidonnée. Pour ma part, je reste sur ma faim. C'est un rendez-vous manqué. Un flirt qui n'a jamais abouti à une grande histoire d'amour. Je le remets sur l'étagère, avec un respect poli, mais sans la moindre envie d'y revenir de sitôt. C'est un 2/5. Un "bien, mais..." qui en dit long.

this is meant to stay on the shelf at the thrift store forever

Não me pegou muito esse álbum. A única que eu achei interessante foi Holy Water. Talvez depois eu pudesse ouvir novamente.

Meh.

going by their name and album title i thought this was going to be a lo-fi indie rock type of thing, not Massive Cheese Fest 1980s. quite liked it mind

A great start to any album and then maintains your interest with an eclectic mix of tunes

Enjoyable lyricism.

Believe it or not, but there are so many actually good albums from the 80's. I don't understand inclusions like this on this list. I've never heard of this band before and I never would have if not for this album generator. They're really nothing special imo. The lyrics are very cringe at times and David McComb's vocals are kind of annoying. It's not terrible, but its certainly not worthy of being on this list. Favorite track: Unmade love

No idea why this is here.

What genre is this? As it's not one I enjoy...

Ugh, I think this is maybe the worst album so far, and I'm approaching 600. And I've already had Scum. This sounds like a desperately untalented person trying to imitate Simple Minds, but it's like they've only ever had Simple Minds described to them and never hear them first hand.

i’m surprised. i read the reviews and laughed and shook my head in dismay. i did not want to spend over an hour listening to unoriginal 80s drivel. however, although i didn’t love it and it won’t leave a lasting impression on me, i really quite liked it. if it was more consistent it could have gotten a 4 from me…

I understand why people are calling this boring, but i really liked it. Indulges in the 80s in a way i can get behind.

3.75

Not something I would ever listen to ir seek out. It’s not bad by any means. It’s like a PG Nick Cave. Like a cross between Rod Stewart and Nick Cave.

This band reminds me a little of Hoodoo Gurus; I enjoyed this album, but it started strong and got weaker as it went on, IMO. I would, however, seek out more of their music.

Enjoyed. Never heard of this band. Fan of indie music

good lost 80s,record

aside from Bury Me Deep in Love it's not a good album, middle of the road monotony that's undeserving of a place on this list. if this album was a colour it would be beige

Did nothing for me. One and done.

Soft/pop rock. A few good songs but mostly just ok.

Calenture is an album that sure sounds like it's from the eighties and that album cover isn't helping matters. It's pretty peppy in tone, though the album's themes aren't quite as peppy. The lyrics are nice, albeit unusual. The strings were a pleasant addition. Calenture wasn't challenging, but hey, not all music needs to be. The album flows and isn't discordant, and I'm happy with that.

I have always considered myself an 80s fan who can dig nearly anything from that decade, but this project has definitely taught me that even some 80s is too much for me. And this album is one example of that. This is just so generic. No matter how many kitschy 80s sounds they put in this album in their quest to make 80s bops, it just never seemed to quite take off. And believe me when I said they tried a lot here; this album lacks cohesion due to the sheer amount of disparate 80s weirdness it has going on in an effort to draw the listener in. Adding to the randomness, the title song is a random 1-minute piano instrumental interlude in the middle of the album. And we won't even get into the corny lyrics. I don't even know what to do with this album.

Solid. Felt pretty straightforward, but didn't hook me. 'Save What You Can' was my fave

Dark waved rock album, not my style.

nah

I liked this more as the album went on. Takes a few songs to get used to the vocals but musically this is solid and really improved from the mid point of disc one. Lyrically, seemed like they were trying a bit too hard to be profound or edgy but still better than Anthiny Keidis.

Never heard this before nor, as far as I recall, have I heard of the Triffids. It’s not a bad album, jangly pop-rock, a little earnest. The production is of its time, big snare reverb, and reminds me of something, Lloyd Cole and the Commotions possibly. I can’t imagine rushing back.

I had low expectations for this. Some was great. Some was meh. 3 balances it out.

Before I listened to this album, I saw several one star reviews (which, I don't understand); I mean it's all opinion, and that's fine. However, personally I don't feel like this album is so terrible that it warrants a one star, at least I would give it three stars. I do like the blend of folk with the alternative 80s synth, it's rather unique. What keeps me from giving it any more than three stars is that each song sounds similar to one another; in a sense, you could say it lacks variety.

dog shit.

Well now, this sounded so familiar it was ridiculous. They are apparently an Australian rock band from the 80's and although I am not a fan the one thing that went through my mind was INXS. Still it was OK so I'll give it a 3.

Not offensive but not overly impressive. Feel like I’ve heard it before, but by others and done so much better.

I'd forgotten all about The Triffids until I played the first song which jogged my memory. It's rare to find a halfway decent Aussie band. My only issue with it is that I had forgot about them, so they were never a band I would actively listen to. That said, I might stick a couple of tracks on a playlist. Or I might not as I'll probably forget about them again.

Not bad, but instantly forgotten

• 2/5 • Ugh - don't like it; the lyrics and delivery of same are so unimaginative that some of the songs sound like they come from SNL skits • There are reflections of other Aussie acts of the period (INXS, Midnight Oil, Hoodo Gurus) but this album can't keep pace

Well done album. I wish I had heard them before but unfortunately US radio is to Americentric.

Very mid and forgettable

Honestly this was boringly inoffensive. I could sit through half of the album before I decided I had better things to do with my time.

Gear: Abyss DIANA MR Artwork: 😑🟠🔵 Production: 🔊🌌🔄🎶🌊🔊🌌🔄🎶 Music: 🎹🎻🎤🤡🧼🤢 Rating: 🤢/5

It’s giving Nick Cage and the bad seeds but more 80s even though Nick Cage started in the 80s. Weird that they are both Australian, coincidence? I think not! Nick Cage got the lead singer of The Triffids addicted to alcohol and heroine so that he could inevitably take over his sound. Long but enjoyable album. 8/10

Born Sandy Devotional & In the Pines are lightyears better. They started rapping on the next one and then completely out of ideas haha.

This one didn't grab me.

I was not particularly interested in sad-boy, early 80s synthy ballads, but these fuckers won me over. The music is good throughout. The lyrics can be a bit self-indultent at times, but it works overall. Just light, fun, dark, depressing music for the family 4/5

not very memorable

This is what I imagine people who hate The Go-Betweens are hearing

The lengths this list will go to find the dumbest and most useless albums to listen to is crazy.

The songs were bad, the tones were awful, but at least, it wasn't UK acid tech house from the 90s.

3.6

Great Aussie record that's been stuck with me since the first time I visited the list. A tad too long perhaps, but I can't really find a candidate track to omit.

Terrific record - it’s not perfect, but I can’t find anything I actively dislike. Just great songwriting and musicianship. Genuinely shocked at how low this is rated. Why?!

Nice storytelling with a consistent sound throughout. Yet, the sons are different enough that I would be able to tell them apart.

I get that there are albums on this list that I don't care for, but I generally understand why they're included. This one, though, is a head scratcher. I genuinely don't see anything particularly outstanding at all in this album, and wonder at how it was included.

Holy hideous hell. Sucks the life out of my soul. Only 2* as it's not as though as it's a crime against humanity. It's just a bit shit.

Even though this was released in the late 80s, I've never heard of the band. Because of its length, I've been putting it off my 'catch-up' list. I ended up skipping Disc 2 when I realized it was demos /rehearsals. Some of the repetitive lyrics were off-putting, and Jerdacuttup Man was bizarre (I had to look up the lyrics to that one). I don't see myself revisiting this album, but I may check out more from the group.

I love the write-up discussing the prestige of this title. No. 24 on the Swedish Albums Chart! No. 25 on the New Zealand Albums Chart! Appearing on the Belgium Albums Chart Top 60! This must be essential! The reality is it's not great, but it's also not bad. It's a perfectly nice, inoffensive meander through gentle 80's pop-rock. It is, obviously, far from essential.

Aside from all of the freakish animals, I used to believe everything that came from Australia was golden. When it comes to music, I still believe this to a degree. Some of my favorite bands ever originate from there. Plus, a little AC/DC every once in a while isn’t so bad. But this record doesn’t exactly give credence to that statement. This is another really strange addition, where I can only wonder what circle the author would have had to be in to find a record like this. But at the same time, this cookie cutter, copy-paste albums were, and still are, all over the place. Especially during the 80s. I don’t have much to say about this album. Because I feel there is very little to really talk about. If you could imagine the music that plays in the background of a cheaply made indie coming of age film, you might think of something close to this. Like the soundtrack to the school dance scene. It’s entirely unmemorable, and completely devoid of things I look for in enjoyable music. I guess there is an interesting melody on occasion, but not often enough where I can pick out which songs they happen in. Past all of the sickly indie pop, there is a slightly stranger edge to the music that slips through the cracks every once in a while. But that alone is not capable of saving this from being very mediocre at best. Rating: 4/10

It’s not bad but not good either. I wouldn’t mind hearing it in the background but I wouldn’t seek it out.

For an album about insanity and depression, it’s remarkably easygoing and mild. A bit more grit would have been nice.

Props to this list for containing some more obscure names outside the cast of usual suspects, but this one was just a bit of a nothing burger for me. The atmosphere just stays pretty neutral and non-descript the whole time, the melodies aren't particularly catchy or interesting and the vocals are pretty lacking in personality. Overall it's just so safe and unremarkable, that I'm sure I'll have entirely forgotten about this album's existence in a few months time.

Not sure why I find this album kinda boring ... it has the style I like and the tracks seem varied enough ... perhaps its just the singer! So a nice enough album but nothing special to recommend it.

To produce a long album like this you've really got to be firing on all cylinders for anyone to actually want to listen to it from start to finish. This is inconsistent. Parts of this English crooner sounding album are excellent even if a little dated. The lyrics stick out like a sore thumb on some tracks and are really unlikable. Probably would have been unlikable in their day as well. Jerdacuttup Man is in a class by itself for crap lyrics.

Aren't the Triffids the outer space rival gang to Captain Krik and Spock's Enterprise? Sources say the Triffids crash landed their space ship in New Zealand and are trying to get enough money to repair it and get back home. I imagine that if aliens had been listening to UK music in the 80s, crash landed on Earth, decided to start a band, this is the music they'd create. I only wish they would've taken a clue and at least made the album shorter.

Early on the album veers between forgettable and cringeworthy 80s pop rock. It got a bit better later on, but was never really my cuppa tea. Not many other people’s either, even in 1987? It couldn’t even break the top 20 in their home country (Australia). Somebody liked it enough to write up a Wikipedia entry longer than most of its caliber, but it's amusing that the sole line in the ‘legacy’ section is its inclusion on the 1001. I feel like albums on this list ought to have a bit more to establish their legacy to earn their way on.

I’m not sure if it’s the 80s or Australia at the root of the problem here, but it’s not a good combination. My distaste for the 80s is well established, so I’ll focus on the Aussies. I wondered to myself, listening to The Triffids stumble through this album, what Australian bands would I rather listen to. And somewhat surprisingly, the answer is not many. Basing my research off Rolling Stones’ top 50 Australian artists of all time, the field is pretty bleak. Sure, #1 AC/DC is great. And #2 Sia is respectable. But Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are top 5. Midnight Oil, forget about it. And the biggest indicator of all, The Wiggles are #21. Let that sink in. I did discover Flume at #9, who sounds like a promising experimental, electronic savant (more listening needed). So it’s not all terrible. Just mostly lackluster. Australia, we have a problem.

Something about the group and the music really impressed me.

Never heard of this band before. Apparently they were big in Australia. Good for them. I don't give a shit. Fuck man this was just so annoying and just feels like a lesser version of those eighties bands that rode the line between new wave and mainstream rock like The Cars. I really tried to get it because I do genuinely like all that "adult alternative" eighties stuff but I realized after a few tries I don't truly like any of the songs on this album and that I couldn't wait for it to finally end. It's like, not literary enough to be a "sophisticated" pop band like Prefab Sprout or The Blue Nile, not punk-leaning enough to be alternative rock or new wave, not catchy enough to be a good pop/rock band, I just don't understand who this is for or why it's seen as good. And then it started to sound like The Pogues after a while and it's like come ooooooonnnnnnnnnnnn... shut the fuck up........... I gave it a fair shot and listened to all of it more than once but yeah fuck off.

So it immediately starts off with the 80's ist of 80's songs. Almost 5 years out of vogue even for the 80s. But as the album goes on the vocals become familiar to me. The themes become familiar. Loneliness and all that. It starts to sound better. It starts to have more variety. It's Scott Walker. If you're European you probably know. If You're in your 70s you probably remember. Or if you were a hipster in the 2000s you got it. This was all very Paul Walker lite. The themes, the music the whole shebang. It's OK. Another one in the ba k.

VERY 80s, not terrible, but it came off as a wannabe Tears For Fears. Some of the repetitive lyrics (Open For You and Holy Water specifically) got obnoxious. I don't know what the song Jerdacuttup Man was on about is that some sort of British boogie man or something? It sounds like a Tom Waits character but not cool. I take back what I said above, I kind of hate it now after hearing the corniest shit I think I've ever heard that is called Baby Can I Walk You Home. This sounds like a Christian rock band trying to dip their musical toe into Sting levels of reggae. Please stop with the Gaelic music if you're not actually in Ireland or Scotland or Wales or whatever it's not cute. This album did not need to be an hour long and I gotta dock it for doing so with such lousy music. Everything I touch turns to time, but I would rather just have my time back. I was wondering if their inclusion on the list was just because they're British but it turns out they're not. They're Australian, which is just hick British I guess, so still sort of counts since this list just adores mediocre British rock music. This album isn't technically British, but it is fairly bad, not worth your time, and shouldn't be on the list

Half a minute into this album I set Spotify on private session because the thought of this showing up in my Spotify wrapped mortified me. Throughout the whole album I vacillated between repulsion and laughter - this sounded so much like an absurd overdrawn satire.

I liked some of these songs, but far more of them I didn't. This did not need to be a double disc album. Lots of cheesy ass lyrics.

For coming out in the late 80s, this sure comes off as a derivative copy of several 70s and 80s artists. The difference is this sounds like a copy of those artists at their worst. A mediocre vocalist, forgettable songs that drag on and on. Really there is very little to like about this album, so it's a shame it is on a list like this. I'm glad that I realized "Save What You Can" is the true ending of the album as I was starting to be miserable. 1.2/5 -> 1/5

Трябва да го слушам пак

This album was probably OK in its day, but I don't see the timeless value.

5.5/10

HL: "Bury Me Deep in Love", "Trick of the Light", “Blinder By the Hour”, “Jerdacuttup Man” Things I know about the Triffids: -they’re Australian* -people seem to HATE them on this website Idk, I liked it quite a bit 🤷‍♂️ Warm, slightly woozy sound (befitting the title)- some tracks resemble shanties, one has uileann pipes which is like a cheat code to get me enjoying a song. 1987 pop trends threatened to drown it, but Calenture remains seaworthy *3rd band in a row not from UK or USA, a rarity

Imagine every 80’s movie you’ve ever watched + simple minds album = this

This was mid even in the eighties

By all that's Eno, Spector, and Mutt Lange, I believe that this is where good songwriting has been completely undermined by excessive production. The album is filled with studio gloss and lush layers, featuring an overwhelming amount of gadgets, orchestration, synthesizers, violins, trumpets and backing vocals that overwhelm the music. I notice that those who appreciate this album describe it as "theatrical" and "majestic." However, I find that, while the production can be "grandiose" and "powerful," it often detracts from the songs themselves. The backing vocals suffer from the same issue; they frequently come off as overdone and out of place. I genuinely feel embarrassed for whoever has to repeatedly sing “bury me deep in love” as the opening track fades away. It seems misguided and forced, as if the band believed that all these bells and whistles would finally elevate their music to mainstream success. As a result, I find it nearly unlistenable. Listening to the demo versions of the songs on the Deluxe version on Spotify further supports this point.

Ehh, didn't keep my attention

Never heard this before. Good example of the value of this list. I really like this album and this band has never been on my radar. I feel like this album has "classic" status hidden somewhere in it. Unfortunately, the arrangements often overwhelm the songs, and the lead vocals, while strong, don't always work in the various styles of the album. But at its best (Trick of the Light) it's great 80s pop music with good lyrics.

I liked this, but didn't love it. There was something missing. I have a vague memory of The Triffids from my 80's college radio days.

I skimmed through this album to get to the end. The singer had a compelling voice, the music was... sigh.....it sounds harsh, but the word I want to use is lame.

Very 80's. Agreeable, but nothing stands out.

Actually not a bad album, and not even that long, which was great. Half of the album was Disc 1, which was the proper album, but then there was Disc 2, which was just the same thing but the Rehearsal Demo version of each song. Would I have been happier without the Rehearsal Demos in there - yes, but I listened to it anyway, just so I can complain about it without feeling guilty that I haven't even listened to it but I was hating on it. Well, I listened to everything and I am hating on how long the whole thing became.

I’m surprised to see The Triffids made the list - and I’m surprised it was Calenture and not Born Sandy Devotional, which contains their flagmark piece, Wide Open Road. A Western Australian rock band with some minor hits in the 80’s, they gained a cult following but never found much commercial success before the untimely death of frontman David McComb. I have a high interest in songs that mention Australian locations, so I was pleased to hear Jerdacuttup Man. I’m always happy when Aussie music is featured here in general, but overall this comes in for me at a pretty bog-standard 3 stars.

I liked this one more than I thought I would.

This is the type of music they'd play in a DreamWorks movie as an animated horse looks longingly at the moon.

Steve Irwin would be turning in his grave that despite all the groundbreaking music that has come out of Australia it is only this and 75 Nick Cave albums that have made this list.

This is a pleasant surprise. Don't listen to the haters. We have a fine piece of new romantic music here. The musicians hip and vocals are all of good quality and the writing and production make it soar.

2.1 1x catchup 11/6/24

Great find. Bury Me Deep In Love is a hell of a song. This is a great album. Very good album.

nice pop rock

This was ok, didn't really catch my attention but fun enough to listen to. The singer has quite a unique voice which I liked

Half of these songs were weird, half were okay. So 3/5 I guess. Vagabond Holes? TF was that??

I really really don't want to listen to this album so I'll give it a three for the benefit of the doubt 😭😭 Sorry

It was good, but in a nothing particularly stands out kind of way.

Thoughtful, jangly rock and roll. I'd never heard of these guys, and I've seen some loooow ratings, which are inexplicable.

One star for each song that didn't mention lips.

An Australian Band? An Australian Rock Band? I don't believe it!

Horrible

Fine. Very 80s. Like classic 80s vibes

Oof. Couldn't finish it all.

10/23/24. An interesting deeper cut from the 80s, almost that jangle pop sound with a touch of baroque. I liked it.

80s production style...singer sounds like a mix of Elton John, Michael Hutchence, and 80s Bono. It's pleasant enough mainstream 80s pop rock (if you don't pay attention to the odd lyrics on some of the songs), but nothing wows me. Highlights: "Bury Me Deep in Love" (good propulsive opener), "A Trick of the Light" (chiming guitars), "Holy Water" (a little different with the shuffling electronic drums) Notable: "Jerdacuttup Man" (what a strange topic to write a song about)

Alternative Irish band. Strange music.

They have an interesting sound that sounds retro and current at the same time.

A nice album from an early 2000s Aussie band. A trick of light being my favourite song.

pas aussi nul que ce qui se dit sur ce site

reingehört ja, und weggehört .. beliebige hintergrundmusik?

Etwas gewöhnlich, schnell vergessen.

Nothing special for ‘80s rock, engineering pretty good

Musically, instrumentally it was fine. Didn’t enjoy the vocals though. 80s are my least favourite decade for music. Didn’t hate it but didnt like it.

Kinda dull no?

6/10

Not sure what to make of this one. Fuck it, five stars.

Not as bad as people say, but definitely shouldn’t be on here. A catchy bog standard new wave album

Pretty generic

Komisch

Eh, don't care for this. The production is goofy, the drums sound annoying...the snare drum specifically has the craziest echo on every single hit. The song writing is fine, not actively bad but just not my thing.

These Aussies are trying their best.

I was a few albums behind so just caught up with a few of the greatest albums ever made. This was like a slap in the face with a wet fish. It's awful.

Wow. This was a totally unexpected, but welcome, surprise. Has a little bit of a 80’s country twang that feels very nostalgic for me, but with that 80’s pop/alternative quality. There’s a few misses (Open For You, Holy Water) which detract a little, but overall a great album. 4/5 Highlights: Bury Me Deep in Love A Trick of the Light Hometown Farewell Kiss Unmade Love Vagabond Holes

I didn't really dig it.

Dime a dozen 80s radio rock

5 years in the dungeon for this one. Will I listen to again: 0%

The umpteenth synthpop album on here. This one had a bit more aggressive synth drums than others, but still not wholly memorable or worthy of being on the list.

The hate for this is undeserved. Not amazing, but very decent. Nice easy listening funky rock. 65/100

Yeah, Calenture is very 80s but not in a lot of the annoying trope ways, it manages to create a decent sound, vocals doing a lot of the work to make it sound interesting. It's not great, it doesn't belong on the list, but it's fine and worth a listen anyway. High 2.

This is fine - we've had a lot worse, and an awful lot that's pretty similar to this. It's pretty standard 80s electro pop/rock, nothing remarkable, could give it a 3 but don't think it quite earns it. 2/5

Not horrible, but nothing to make me want to go back and hear it again

It was unremarkable to me

The most questionable aspect on this thing is the production. Even if you put the album back to its eighties context, some of those horrible gated drums have aged like milk, especially when they're supposed to support folk-rock, country-rock, jangle pop and traditional-inspired, bagpipes-enhanced shenanigans. Producer Gil Norton -- later to be known for producing classic indie-rock jewels for Pixies -- is probably to be blamed for that choice: what would work for the Bostonians later on sounds a little clunky for the Australian band. Probably because Black Francis's music was so idiosyncratic that not even the eighties trend of gated drums could ruin his songs, actually adding to their endearing, catchy weirdness. In comparison, The Triffids sound like a less original, more "derivative" animal. And as such, they can't fully redeem Norton's sonic aesthetics. As far as music compositions and other arrangements go, there are quite a few salvageable parts to be found in *Calenture*. Synth-laden, subtly understated "A Trick Of The Light" has aged surprisingly well, for instance. "Unmade Love" is an effective abrasive cut, hearkening back to the band's post-punk beginnings. David McComb quite often sounds like fellow Aussie singer Nick Cave treading a more commercially viable path many years before the latter would do so. Emotional highlight "Lay Me Down" and its *perfect* string arrangements, could have found their way in *Let Love In*, and I don't think anyone would have batted an eye. We have seriously good songwriting going on in some parts of this LP, and it's kind of a shame many users of this app only saw the warts in it. Guess the quaint, borderline-cheesy nature of album opener "Bury Me Deep In Love" misguided a lot of folks here. I suspect too many app users rarely go further than one track or two in their daily listening of the albums suggested. Their loss... That said, going back to this record after one user liked this review two years after I wrote it, I can only recognize we're not dealing with 1001 Albums material here. That surely doesn't justify some of the very hateful takes on this generator. But I won't die on a hill defending this LP at all costs... 3/5 for the purposes of this list of essential albums. 8 for more general purposes (5 + 3) Number of albums left to review: less than 70, I've temporarily lost count here. Number of albums I'll keep in my own list: half, approximately. Number of albums I *might* keep: a small quarter, approximately.(including this one) Number of albums I won't keep: a large quarter.

bad depeche mode

Listened Before? N Seems these guys were doing something pretty similar to some American artists at the time: i.e. Tears for Fears style new wave pop. I really enjoyed this one. It's like an undiscovered album for me. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Bury Me Deep in Love

Too long, too boring, two stars.

I feel like I heard a lot of versions of this album from a lot of bands. This version doesn't stand out particularly. Didn't really grab me then, and still doesn't now. Well done, I imagine, if you like this kind of thing.

A fantastic find once again. I had completely forgotten about this. Bury Me Deep in Love is the acceptable face of late 80's AOR radio. Grand orchestral sweeps, genuine songs and superb production. There's a hint at Deacon Blue, which tbh, is never a bad thing.

I had heard of this group before but hadn't heard their stuff before, I really ought to check out more. It reminds me of both The Waterboys and Leonard Cohen. It sounds awful, but whenever I find out a musician has died young, it sort of makes me look at the music a different way, and that definitely happened with this. RIP David McComb.

Enjoyed this very much. This group and music was unknown to me. This is why I am appreciating this web site. Thank you.

There’s good schmaltz and there’s bad schmaltz. This is bad schmaltz.

Very enjoyable and unique mix of instruments

I've started this album at least four times over the span of the last 3.5 weeks, kept making it halfway, and then would get distracted by something and would forget to finish it. Finally, I've listened to it in its entirety, which feels like an accomplishment - not because I think the album is difficult to get through (I thought it was the opposite, really) but more because I actually listened to it in one go. The lead singer sounds like Phil Collins' disembodied voice singing on the Tarzan soundtrack (the animated Disney one), which I unironically love. (This is also a reference to one of my favourite video essays by Sideways on YouTube.) I love the emotion, passion, and sincerity of the songs, which I'm sure others would find hokey and cheesey, but Coldplay is my favourite band and I listened to late 90s/early 2000s American country music growing up, so of course I don't mind that. 4.5 rounded up Favourite tracks: Bury Me Deep in Love, A Trick of the Light, Hometown Farewell Kiss

Fine for what it was. It sounded very much like something else that I could not quite remember

This was whiny in a creepy way, right? There was some interesting imagery in the lyrics, but a lot of it felt actually creepy.

Uppskrúfað og dramatískt. Góður söngvari. Aðra umferð. 3,5

Meh, it's ok. Not mad I had to listen to it, but certainly not going to listen again. It kinda felt like listening to a shiny song about angst 17 times.

As requested by the final song, I will and be brief. It was good.

I almost like Trick of the Light, Hometown Farewell Kiss, Unmade Love, Open For You

Brand new band for me - pulling at least one song from it into my mix: "Save What You Can"

Baffled that I have never heard of The Triffids, Calenture, or any of these tracks from 1987 when I was listening to a LOT of music. This is a 3.5, was leaning towards 4 but I didn't enjoy it as much the second time round so another 3 it is.

How did this crap get on this list?

It was quite long and honestly don’t quite get why this one is on here. Still I didn’t hate it. The singer especially sounds so much like Tom Verlaine at times who I love. So I enjoyed that part but the rest didn’t do much for me. Rating: 2.5

The first couple songs were good/fine. Got slowly worse as it went. Low 6.

Idc 1.5

This is #day23 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, which is also the last day of summer 2024, and... what a nice surprise this album was when I turned it on. I've never heard of the band, but (so far) this is a rare case when an entry on the list is some wonderful music. I love the sound. Grandiose, begs the description. An enjoyable combination of new wave, power pop, and alternative rock, underpinned by majestic vocals. And, compared to most albums on the list I've had to listen to recently (but not only... this one's genuinely a great record), I'm giving it a strong 4 out of 5. It deserves more love and attention. So... be it. Looking forward to #day24.

Nice pop-rock the whole album long but nothing to stand out. (Rated the 12 tracks original release disc) favourite: "Unmade Love", "Vagabond Holes"

Rockband??? Just another Singer-Songwriter Pop style. Not so bad, but also not special. 2/5

I don't even know what this did to me the day I listened but I loved it more than it's actually good.

I'm not sure if I was just in a bad mood, but something about this was not working for me. The instrumentation seemed fine. The vocals weren't working for me. Overall there was an overly sanitized white kitchen tile vibe to this.

I tried. But it's a no for me.

😴

I knew the name The Triffids, had heard them as an influence on some bands I like. I’m not sure why though, this was mostly just fine, a couple songs I liked and most were fine and then some that I really didn’t like. I mean, pretty bleh. Just like real life Triffids.

There were one or two songs on this I liked, but the rest I really did not.

A slow burner of an album that borders on CCM at times.

Dnf. No thank you.

Sort of like Terars for Fears / Duran Duran but not nearly as good

The author of the list loves this sound. Moody 80s. I really didn’t like it. Bad voice, bad songs, bad production. I feel like every day I’m delving deeper and deeper into this guys bad taste. It’s like I’m walking around his messy house, with rotting food everywhere and shit on the walls. I don’t want to hear another shit 80s/90s British alt pop landfill album

how many times will i have to listen to this album

kind of tears for fears-y with hints of elvis in there. overall a very nice listen

Even with some of the albums I have given low ratings to so far, I can at least understand the significance of the work. 'Hybrid Theory'? Sure. T. Rex's 'Electric Warrior'? Totally. Elvis? Not a fan, but I can at least see his impact in the time of his peak. The Triffids 'Calenture', though? This is the first time I have audibly asked the question: "why is this on the 1001 albums list?". It's not that this LP is even that bad. There isn't anything particularly worth criticizing or praising as everything it has to offer is pretty inoffensive. It's just that there is nothing interesting happening here, and it is one of the most borderline cliche albums I have ever heard. It sounds like they listened U2's 'The Joshua Tree' a few months earlier and thought: "Yeah, let's make something like that". I could almost sense the road each melody would take in every song, I was unbelievably bored by nearly every composition, and the band isn't exactly pushing any production envelopes. I gave it a fair chance, as I did everything else so far, and I literally couldn't wait for it to be over. As mentioned above, "inoffensive" is a word I used to describe 'Calenture', and that matches up with the lyrics and vocals of lead singer David McComb. He's a pretty good singer, just not a particularly standout one; and he's a good lyricist, he just has nothing very interesting to say (at least in this album). Personally, for me - as a baseline, if the music itself is rather simple or nothing special - the lyrics need to really stand out. And if lyrics aren't exactly an artist/band's speciality - then the music and production needs to impress. 'Calenture' does neither of these things for me.

Warm & wonderful & enveloping...for half the album, then it loses all distinctiveness

Becoming increasingly irritated with the repetitive 80s bs albums on this list. There is nothing unique about this album, really just more of the same.

Pretty good sound

I only knew this band from a reference in a Courtney Barnett song ("and in the taxi home, I'll sing you a Triffids song"). Having heard them now, I think I'll wait and take the next cab instead.

I don’t know if it’s an Australian thing, but this band reminds me of a mix between The Go-Betweens and Nick Cave. It’s got the pop sensibilities of the former mixed with some of the brooding of the latter. I was also reminded of the sweeping and soulful country rock of Gram Parsons. It’s certainly compelling, but it’s not exactly essential. Definitely some great songs though. Bury Me Deep in Love and A Trick of the Light are great singles, and could rank up there with some of the best alternative rock of the 80s.

Pretty good! Eighties power pop

Not sure why this must be heard before I die. It’s pretty straightforward, and somewhat bland, rock with some folky leanings and some dramatic flair. Nothing stands out to me here as innovative, notable, or even interesting. It’s just there and essentially had no impact on me. At first I thought it was just boring, but eventually it got frustratingly boring.

How drunk was the person that decided you had to listen to this album? I mean, there's nothing about it that should have landed it on this list. I think what makes it even worse is it's a whole double album with the second disk full of demos of the same unremarkable songs that make up the first disk. There's this weird mix of very typical 80s alternative/pop male lead vocals and country pedal steel guitar on a number of tracks that just doesn't make sense in my mind. The lyrics I've been able to pickup on are barely surface level deep and there's just really nothing that has me wanting to hear this record (or any of their other albums) again. Maybe use this album to kick off a new list of 1001 albums that would have made no difference to the world had it just not been made. 1/5 (because that's as low as it goes around these parts)

i’m a bit baffled by this record if truth be told. it doesn’t seem to know what it wants to be, whether that’s rock, pop or post-punk. the songs felt over-produced, and were too repetitive. the lyricism was frankly boring. i did quite enjoy his vocals, but i’m not sure they fit whatever style this record is. honestly, i can’t say i feel strongly either way about this album - purely mediocre

This music sucks..

Solid, but not the best album by the Triffids

I'm genuinely baffled by the hatred for this entry. I've never heard of these guys, and I'm from Australia, but honestly it's a pretty great 80s pop-rock album. Production sounds very typical of the period, and I can hear some INXS, The Church, and Nick Cave similarities but mostly I think the singer sounds like Tim Booth from UK Band James. Musically and lyrically I think its very solid with some nice flourishes and variety. Would much rather listen to this than yet another fucking Morrissey/Smiths album.

yeah it’s alright some good moments but the good songs are still just okay not sure why this one’s on here bud

Pre-listening thoughts: I cheated and looked at reviews for this before listening and everyone said “what is this generic 80s snorefest doing on this list” so idk. I’m sort of already seeing their point on track 1. Post/during listening thoughts: The deluxe version of this album is CRAZY long. It’s supposed to end at Save What You Can so that’s where my review will end. The lead singer has a nice voice but yeah this is pretty generic 80s stuff. I’m not opposed to it but I’m definitely not hooked. I appreciate the album narrative of the slow descent into insanity but sadly the songs are not sonically interesting or unique enough to elevate that narrative. It’s dragging on. I need an album by a woman 4/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no Fav tracks: Hometown Farewell Kiss, Vagabond Holes Least fav tracks: Jerdacuttup Man

Good to hear some Aussie music that didn’t break in the US, album was a good listen

Awful

Very dated and not strong enough to withstand that

Hmmm not sure how I feel about this one, feels like the deeply unserious soundtrack music you’d find on a cult classic, I can see myself enjoying this in a more ironic way that could circle back to being unironic but I just don’t think i’m into the music enough in the first place to want to listen to it much again I enjoyed the songs Blinder by the Hour and Vagabond Holes, everything else not so much

Goes ok. Loses the plot in the back half tho.

tämä on miellyttävää musiikkia!! ja heti ollaan heinähangot pystyssä irvistelemässä!!! mutta kun tulee oikeasti mautonta paskaa niin omg i love this british white boys... new wave my beloved.... HAISTAKAAAAA PASKAAAAA!!!! THIS IS REAL FUCKING MUSIC!!!!!!!!!!!!! Synnyin 87 vuotta sitten. 65 vuotta hallin Tamrielin keisarina. Mutta kaikkina näinä vuosina en ole koskaan ollut omien unelmieni hallitsija. Olen nähnyt unohduksen portit, joiden yli ei yksikään hereillä oleva silmä voi nähdä. Katso! pimeässä tuomio pyyhkäisee maan. Tämä on 27. viimeisestä siemenestä. Akatoshin vuosi 433. Nämä ovat 3. aikakauden päätöspäivät... ja elämäni viimeiset tunnit. kellys blues

I think the criticism of this album is justified. While it originally seems inoffensive and listenable, it proves the be repetitive, predictable and overproduced after a few songs. This made for an experience that felt like far more than 46 minutes, and definitely not an album worthy of being on this list.

Helt ait,hørte ikke at de var australske

Wow what a great album. I fucking love every arrangement, and sound, and lyrics in every song. Never would I have thought such praise for a work titled "Calenture by The Triffids"

Unbelievable 80's cheese with not much to say, but at least it's well executed.

This feels like daydreaming in melancholy . The songs gently drift and sway. It's reminiscent of early Nick Cave, with a touch of Springsteen's storytelling. The vocals carry a raw, emotional weight. Kinda soothing, kinda stirring.

J'ai l'impression que cet album est uniquement là car il fallait plus de représentation australienne. Peut-être que ça a été massif là-bas, mais honnêtement j'ai trouvé ça super drabe et linéaire. 4/10

Puro suco dos anos 80. Banda australiana, sinceramente não é o tipo de som que eu gosto e não vou ouvir de novo

Opener is uninspiring pop but I like the piano on the second track. Gets a bit (maybe a lot) sappy sounding on tracks like Blinder By The Hour or Save What You Can. Overall, not one to revisit but a couple good moments. Favourites: Kelly's Blues, Open For You.

This gets +1 just for being Australian. The problem I have is, that the context for this album's inclusion evades me when it's not their best but seems to have a strange story that lead to an "over the top" album. Anyway, faves are Bury Me Deep In Love, Kelly's Blues, and A Trick Of The Light.

This didn't really land for me - I need my new wave to be either darker, more experimental, or maybe more bangin'. Wasn't actively irritating, though, and the song title "Vagabond Holes" caused a certain amount of side eye. Fave track - "Keely's Blues"

"Calenture" is the fourth studio album by Australian rock band the Triffids. Rock and folk rock are the listed genres. OK. The album titled refers to a fever suffered by sailors during long hot voyages and the album had themes of insanity, deception and rootlessness. It was produced by Gil Noton, the Triffids and Craig Leon on two songs after which he was fired. The Triffids on this album were David McCombs (vocals, guitar, string arrangements), Jill Birt (keyboards), Martyn P. Casey (bass), Graham Lee (guitar, autoharp), Alsy McDonald (drums, backing vocals) and Robert McComb (guitar, backing vocals, violin). The album opens with the first single "Bury Me Deep in Love." Acoustic guitar, electric guitar strikes and strings. Dramatic. McCombs and the backing vocals are strong. An air of soulfulness. Nature imagery to falling in love. A gorgeous song. The "Tricks of the Light" is the second single and a dreamy keyboard drives the melody. He's missing a girl and thinks he saw her. "Holy Water" has a drum machine, piano and drums. It's poppy and uplifting. Very high production by Craig Leon. Dreaming of swimming with a girl in the holy water. "Jerdacuttup Man" is the most traditional folk song on the album with a violin, acoustic guitar and chanting. A doom man references dead bodies in a British museum. By the way, Jerdacuttup is a small Australian town. I have to admit I never heard of the Triffids during the 1980's so this was a first listen of their music for me. This was a really solid album. The music is along the lines of pop-rock and rock. Some songs are melancholy, somber and haunting while others are hopeful and uplifting. McCombs has a strong voice. Overall, it's a really a nice sounding album with some lyrical depth and worth a listen.

As boring as the album art implies

This was like a bad low budget movie soundtrack

Dreadfully unoriginal and way too long. I don’t understand how this album made the list, most cover bands are better.

Absolutely terrible. No wonder nobody in the US has ever heard of this. The lyrics are so corny and sophomoric, it’s almost impossible to believe that whoever wrote them understands the English language. The music is beyond dull. It’s a sad, watered-down new wave postpunk experience with no energy whatsoever. There are a few albums that I have given low ratings to so far, but I can understand how their popularity or historical significance justify their presence. This is the first album that I can without a doubt say has absolutely no place on this list whatsoever.

At its best (“Unmade Love”), it reminded me of The Smiths; I wish I could say the same for the rest of the album. Unfortunately, nothing else has that melancholy atmosphere, and the rest ranges between confusing, bland, and bad. 2.5 rounded up

Emotive 80s soft rock with sea shanty elements. Conveys feelings of sorrow and longing without ever wallowing. A nice album. Rating: 3/5 Playlist track: Bury Me Deep in Love Date listened: 12/07/24

It was fun. 🤩

A lovely spin through an Australian 80s should have been powerhouse.

Totally new to me. Sorry but it seems dangerously close to yacht rock. Much too pop oriented. I'm trying hard to give them a chance, but I don't think I'm Australian enough. Had to quit during Hometown Farewell Kiss.

This may be a prime example of ‘you had to be there’. None of these songs reached our shores but there are so many elements that 1987 me would have loved. I kept being distracted by how similar they sounded to other Australasian bands that were more well-known- Crowded House, Midnight Oil, Men at Work. At times I could hear a more global peppering of J Geils band and Deacon Blue and Cherry Ghost. But nothing that made them unique or stand out on their own. Maybe that’s why they didn’t find a British audience at the time. The songs are easy to listen to, oftimes pleasant and sweet even. There were interesting themes but the madness and delirium never quite made it into the music. The Jerdacuttup man gave an interesting perspective but the whole thing smacks of powerlessness. A symbol of the whole album - it could have delivered on a much more dynamic, punchy level but reached only the heights of ‘nice’.