Calenture

i liked some of the songs later in the album better than the beginning, but overall nothing really stood out to me

this was a total unknown for me, and seems like a fake band and album that someone tried to convince me was real, but no, they're just australian. mid to ok! 2.5

Questioning the inclusion on the list

Un gros BOF

This felt very long.

Album No. 0110 on my list. I had never heard of the Triffids before, this was really completely new to me. I’ve checked some of the other reviews for this album and have seen that it did get a lot of hate. I honestly have to say: I don’t like the album much, but I don’t think it deserves the hate. I personally neither liked the singers’ voice and the over-produced 80s AOR sound of this. But then again, it’s not the worst thing I’ve ever heard. To me, the album is forgettable rather than bad. The rather cryptic lyrics certainly added to that. For me, there is nothing really catchy on “Calenture”, except possibly for “Bury Me Deep In Love”, which is actually not a bad song and the only one I’ll be adding to my playlist. In summary: pretty forgettable, not sure why it is on this list, but it’s also not that horrible. 2/5 stars.

Meh!

This is a really sappy album. Some songs are fine (but bland) and some are downright annoying. I wish such a cool band name had been used on a better band.

Very 80s sounding and not really interesting. 2.5 stars

Didn’t enjoy my ‘day with The Triffids’. Would prefer to have been attacked by actual Triffids because that would have been more exciting. This just sounds like an inferior version of a huge bunch of 80s bands… INXS, Waterboys, Echo And The Bunnymen. Echo And The Plantmen would have been another good name for this group. There is a soft highlight at the end with Save What You Can which is a bit sweeter in sound and a bit like another plant group Prefab Sprout but other than that this was a very uninspiring listen and needs to be taken out of the 1001 List and straight onto a compost heap.

The Triffids was the collective noun Len Houmous used for his 5th-9th wives 2.0 1/17 Bury Me Deep In Love

it started okay and now it’s awful. holy water could be a least fave song of this whole project so far. why is there 17 songs and by song 8 i hate it already. hope it picks up my god

did not mind listening much. 2 stars.

Too much slange.

The spots I liked reminded me of the go-betweens but overall I found it pretty bland and forgettable. (2.5)

I'd normally do track rankings but I just could not get through the entire album. The song content is the epitome of cromulent. There wasn't really anything special that made this album stand out against its fellow peers in the jangle pop world. It seems more like a Eurovision entry that you know for certain will not qualify, fine enough on its own but there's no wow factor. My main question is why is this part of the 1001+ albums? Was it because it was a critical darling? It didn't do too hot in the charts in their home country of Australia and this is literally the first time I've ever heard of the Triffids, so whatever international appeal clearly didn't stay around. The only good thing I can say about what I listened to was that it seemed well produced, but besides that I don't think I'd ever return back for future listens. Overall: 2/5 Favorite: A Trick of the Light

it's beyond me how some of this stuff landed on this list.

Think James, but without the talent or good songs. Blinded by the light is the only decent track. An odd album to be on this list

Snooze Some nice ones though

Struck in a time machine, this album does not impress nor offend.

I listened to this for six songs, and there’s just simply nothing remarkable about it.

Kind of reminds me of a mashup of The The with made-for-screen band The Replacements, but lacking the transcendence of the former and the bar band steadiness of the latter.

This album had some moments but they didn’t last. The ratio of tracks enjoyed (3) to tracks included on here (17) explains my rating enough.

Ástralskt eitís en ekki gott. Veit ekki hvað þessi plata er að gera á listanum.

Not the worst but not very good and way too long.

Why did these guys merit inclusion? They’re like a worse version of all the bad English and Irish bands we’ve already covered. They make Bono sound like Led Zeppelin.

No no no, this was bad. This sounds like some budget sad songs you'd buy when making your student film in high school.

Boring early rock.

Drippy and trying to hard to be “deep”

didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it. Guess I’m not an Australian indie pop guy?

Borderline pass. Nothing stands out tbh. Another album recorded in someone’s bathroom. Music wise also very mediocre. Has some poppy elements but not catchy at all.

this felt like it rode the middle between folk and pop, but ultimately couldn't choose what side to be on. some songs were fine... but that was all i got for this one.

I listened to this whole album and never really thought much about it until it was over. And the only thought I did have was that the lead singer had moments where he sounded like Nick Cave. I’ll stick with this modern Australian rock movement that’s happening and skip the older stuff.

Poopenture by The Turddids Not the worst we’ve had but one of those albums that has no business being in this list

Such a long album I was kinda onboard with the generic 80s altpop by the end.

This will ruin the algorithm. Not listening to disc 2's demos, that's for sure. 80s synth rock crap Jerdacuttup man had a catchy chorus

Pretty dull dated indie pop, not that enjoyable. Avoids a 1 for not actively upsetting me

Based on all the negative reviews, I didn’t expect the Triffids’ Calenture to be very good. While I didn’t dislike it as much as I anticipated that I might, don’t take that as an endorsement – it’s still not great. Like many albums I’ve given two stars to, the best thing I can really say about Calenture is that I didn’t actively hate listening to it. After a few tracks, it just kinda became ‘80s background noise, falling somewhere between Nick Cave, U2 and Depeche Mode on the musical spectrum. The thing is, all of those acts have songs I actually like and that wasn’t really true of the Triffids here. Hometown Farewell Kiss was probably the one I got the most enjoyment out of since it had an unusual bit of twang to it, but it’s honestly not something I’d go out of my way to listen to. Part of me wants to give this one star just for wasting my time and giving me nothing worth talking about or revisiting in the future, but I’m trying to be conservative with my ones/fives and it was at least a competently-made album at the end of the day, even if the songwriting was lacking. Highlights: Hometown Farewell Kiss

I didn't know anything about this band - if they had success in the UK, I missed it. I thought track 1 was awful, just really boring soft rock. Track 2 was more interesting and the singer was attempting a Nick Cave style vocal (I see from Wiki I'm not alone in thinking that). But then it all settled into dullness. I'm surprised at the general tone of the plaudits from the critics on Wiki, to be honest. They talk about the singer's vocals as having "fiery passion" that "never dwindles in intensity", but to me he sounded more like Lloyd Cole - good, but more conversational in style and tending towards low-key expressiveness - and about "melancholy songs with stark yet beautiful and uniquely Australian imagery". Was I listening to the right album? I thought the songs were weak and a bit dreary, and I can't see anything special in his voice. Michael Hutchence was a far better, more passionate singer, imo, and Nick Cave is in a class of his own in every way. I concede that the lyrics are quite good. But I was uninspired by the music. Sorry, Triffids.

Tiene una producción excesivamente ochentera, pero las canciones están bien hechas.

Never heard of these guys. I found this really middling, if not straight up annoying at times. A couple tracks like Holy Water with the almost tropical vibes and Jerdacuttup Man are a bit interesting. A lot of forgettable stuff though. At times they sounded too much like The Waterboys, a band I like the hits from but get easily tired of. Really dont see a reason for this to be on here

Not much to it.

This is one I could see growing on me, but it didn't resonate with me too much on the initial pass.

With this band name and this album title, I was expecting something much more experimental. Not bad but I got distracted and forgot to come back and finish it, which is a bit damning.

Not overly impressed , very formulaic in terms of the songs , nothing out of the ordinary and could name a number of post punk bands who have done this better and stood the test of time . Professional production but very forgettable

I never heard this band before. Not for me. 2/5

Like a discount Nick Cave.

The songwriting is nice, but sound is very annoying for me... Two good songs, but I don't even remember their names.

A coming together of Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen but in a sort of 80s soft rock style. About as poor as it sounds 2*

It had some moments of glitz, and glamour, but most of this is the 1980s Pop-Rock animal in a nutshell. Favorite Track: "Jerdacuttup Man".

Why is this on the list?

Bury me deep, so Robert Dimery can't hurt me anymore.

I don’t really remember this. It weren’t too bad though i guess.

Yeah, just file this one under unmemorable 80s slop. Not good, not bad though, not really deserving of a three either though.

tiene vibes guays, pero hay algo que no me acaba de convencer, la cancion que mas merece la pena yo creo q es Kellys Blues y Open for you.

It's pretty inoffensive, really. There's not a huge amount to get excited about or offended by. Some of the guitar and synth tones are nice, but that's about all I've got. "Holy Water" is dreadful, though.

I already didn't like „Sandy Devotional“ very much, so I couldn't be bothered by this one. I felt taken for a ride, cause the music is actually pretty dilettant. I hate it when I have the funny feeling appreciation of an artist isn't because of his music, but because he was a. gay and harrassed b. died of alcohol or drug abuse c. killed himself (b applies here).

Loved the beginning tracks of the album, with A Trick Of The Light as a highlight. Left the door open, closed mine for this album tho. Sounds like a church song? Still some nice mellow songs later in the album.

This didn't really grab me at all. Extremely 80s and not in a good way.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: there is WAY too much 80s music on this list.

This album was just ok. It seemed like a blend of folk rock and post punk that just didn't mesh very well for me. I kind of felt like it was too overproduced for both of those genres. 2.4/5

Less good version of Nick Cave + Morrissey. I didn't care much for it but there are worse things. 2.5/5

Nothing too inspiring or must listen album to this listener. Got pretty bored quickly. Best thing I can say about this album is sometimes I thought the singer sounded like Ian Astbury, lead singer of The Cult. The Cult has some really good tunes. These guys, not so much. 2

2 Before I get into my review, I want to point out that this was produced by Gil Norton. Other works from Gil Norton include: Pixies - Doolittle Echo & The Bunnymen - Ocean Rain Foo Fighters - The Colour and the Shape Jimmy Eat World - Futures All albums I love… so what happened here? There’s no sense of edge or lush instrumentation to be found anywhere - it’s just generic ‘80s adult contemporary. Except, it doesn’t seem like this was popular in the ‘80s either. How did this end up here? The most positive thing I can say about this album is that the Irish instrumentation was enjoyable, but those moments were few and far between and only felt hinted at at best. I was also going to give The Triffids shit for being an Australian band trying to sound like an Irish one, but I guess they had relocated to the UK a few years before this released, so it’s somewhat justified. Instead, I’ll give them shit for not fusing the two cultures musically as well as AC/DC did on It’s The Long Way to the Top. As far as the negatives go, I don’t have much to say on that front either, but that’s really because this album is just kind of an unremarkable nothingburger. It borders on new wave just enough where you can almost get a taste of the sound, but you’re ultimately left unsatiated and wanting more. It’s even kind of reminiscent of Echo at times, but moreso a low-cal, sugar-free, off-brand version of the Bunnymen. Far from the most offensive music I’ve heard in style or substance, but I was snoozing pretty early on. I’m glad it was only uphill for my guy Gil from here - I’ll just assume this was an early project he took on to support his still fledgling career.

Those are some odd lyrics

Was already over this album halfway through the first song. I want someone to defend their reason for why I must hear this before I die.

This one was very underwhelming overall, though the back half seemed to be a little better. I never heard of these guys an probably will not listen again, but who knows. I won't actively avoid it though so that's why I give it a 2 and not a 1

Easy to listen to.

Great grooves. 2.2 outta 5

The music is not terrible, but it is boring. I had a hard time listening to the whole album. There is one bright spot. David McComb is clearly influenced by Nick Cave, but David McComb's singing voice is not even half as annoying as Nick Cave's. If you're listening to this on Spotify, the original album is just the first 12 tracks. Spotify has the much anticipated (I'm sure) 2007 double disc reissue. Yikes

Solidly meh

I'm pretty sure this is what you would get if you asked AI to create a generic 80s pop/rock album. Boring, bland, inoffensive. It didn't actively annoy me, so it gets a 2.

Tagged as jangle pop, but doesn't sound like it to me. It does sound like the 80s. The lyrics are terrible so they sure stand out. 2 Heard before? Nope Owned: Yes 16/1001, 16/60 (26%) Will I get? Nope

This is an album on this list.

This sucks

This was just ok. Some of it I liked, some was a pass. Overall it wasn’t bad but it wasn’t good either. I liked the themes, but musically it could have driven those themes home a lot more powerfully.

Not my exact style but still listenable I suppose

point1.

I feel like there’s an identity crises happening here? Couldn’t tell what the sounds was in each song and it’d change by the next one.

Eh. It was ok.

Very strange and all over the place. Some interesting stuff. Heard all sorts of influences and such. Just not for me.

I feel like honestly I probably should have liked this album more than I actually did - I do resonate with this sort of very dramatic 80s production, I like the vaguely folk-y instrumentation in parts, the brooding/dark (almost emo at times?) lyrics. Had never heard of this band but maybe they were sort of like the Australian answer to the Smiths or Simple Minds, which I SHOULD like in theory, but something about it all just didn't quite work the same. Blinder by the Hour is actually a pretty decent song and I enjoyed it quite a bit, but some clunkers for sure. Didn't hate it but not likely to return to it.

2 80s.

Average 80's style "mid" rock. It's entirely uninspiring. I didn't necessarily hate any of the songs, but I couldn't connect with them either. I guess the best song from the album is, Kelly's Blues. I'll add it to the playlist, but I don't really want to.

Well that wasn't very good. They're no Men at Work, that's for sure.

I guess it wasn’t the worst thing I’ve ever heard?

Pretty lame, Milhouse Seriously, who the fuck is like, “Bro, you got to hear this generic ass, Australian, adult contempo album from the 80’s before you die.”

Australian folk pop. 2/5

I don't get it.... 3/10

It’s like a bad movie-musical soundtrack

1,8/5

Poor man's INXS?

I alllmost want to give this one star. But I won’t, because it’s not completely unlistenable. But god it’s sooo 80s (derogatory). And not even in the fun pop way. The songs are all one-note, the story-telling is weak, and the singer just sounds bad. Sorry bout it.

Generic and bad. Shame on you list

Was meh, wouldn’t listen to again

Ok band but not my thing.

It is not necessary that anyone listen to this ever. There were 1000 bands that sounded like this in 1987.

this is the most 80s album ever (derogatory) jesus, this is a long album two (?) of the songs were not-atrocious enough to merit a 2 instead of a 1

Niet m’n ding

no es malo pero es bastante genérico y olvidable

Haven't heard of them and I thought I know all the most important 80s bands that could be featured on the list. Listening to the album didn't help me understand why it's here. There were so many better bands in Australia in the 80s that'd deserve this spot more 2/5

Never heard of this band. Started out slow but somewhat grew on me over the course of the album.

I forgot to listen to it, probably alright though

Not the worst but I could only handle about half the album before surrendering

this exercise has really just taught me the 80s aren’t my vibe

Inoffensive but not sure why I’m supposed to think this is important

Has there every been an album with a blurry picture of a sad-looking white guy on the cover that didn't suck? Heard it once now; will never hear it again.

Not offensive, but it's *very* 80s in its cheesiness. Okay to listen to, but I can't say anything stood out whatsoever. Very minor plaudits for Bury Me Deep in Love and Jerdacuttup Man. Also docked some points for being a double album.

eh

I believe they made the record they wanted to make. It's just not a record I want to hear. It's not technically bad, but it's boring. I'd swap this for INXS - Kick, also from Australia, also from 1987, more exciting, more successful, and somehow not on the list.

Calenture song was good. 1.5/5

This really sucks. Like really. I think it's the style and performances that I don't like. And the songs, too, now that I think about it.

A nice listening, I can't say I particularly like or dislike it 2/5

I didnt think it was all that bad until I realized there were two parts and it was almost 2 hours long. Not doing all that.

Truly never have even heard of this, which kind of made it fun to figure out as I listened: big bang 80s drums, relentlessly earnest 80s lyrics, and some real easy cheesy listening arrangements, mixed in with flashes of country, synth, drama, and Jeebus. I can't say I liked it, but kind an entertaining experience. Why it's one of the 1001 records remains a puzzle. I guess 1001 is a lot.

When I first put this on, I thought I was listening to a Flight of the Conchords parody of bad 80s soft-rock. Don't think I will be revisiting this one anytime soon.

I am left wanting more from this album. It felt like something was missing; I did not find it super interesting to listen to. I wasn't the biggest fan of the vocals or the production. The album felt very 80s, negative connotation. While I do think the emotions behind the lyricism were captivating, the music and vocals were not doing it for me.

It starts out horrible. Gets better, but not enough.

idk just feels totally nothing, quite souless, especially on the instrumental side. Its also quite out of date> quite a lot of the vocal parts feel like Nick Cave ripoffs, I swear I'm not only making that connection because they're both Australian, some parts sound exactly like Nick Cave songs. Not much else to say I feel like some songs have some level of personality. Its also really bloated, too long. There's also too much reverb on the kick imo, just sounds bad. Favourite songs: bury me deep in love, a trick of the light, open for you, baby can I walk you home, everything you touch turns to time. Overall around 4/10

I did not use a private session for this one. No idea what I was getting in to, but between it being an 80's album and the dude's hair I got nervous about keyboard heavy poppy rock. After giving it a listen, the album is more straight forward rock, a bit gothy and gloomy, sort of shoe-gazing, but with some country twang.

The Christian stuff stopped me in my tracks. Some decent orchestration.

#618. Spotify says there's 46k monthly listeners for this band. Surely there's not 46 thousand people at any one time listening to them for this list, so it makes you wonder who are these people out there listening to this intentionally? 2/5: not great

I was excited when this showed up as my album of the day. Courtney Barnett mentions the triffids in a song, so I always assumed they were super cool but had never listened to them. I usually try not to read other reviews until I've listened to the whole thing first and formed my own opinion. But this was so bad that by the third song I had to look up some reviews to see if I was just missing something. Nope, I'm not missing anything, this album is pretty much universally hated. As it should be. Because it sucks. Sorry Courtney. The song Unmade Love could pass for a The The B-side. The only bit of redemption on this album.

Tepid, like lit fic

I would have thought there would be a thousand other albums way better than this that could be included in this list. That being said the last four songs were pretty good so it got bumped up a star for that.

"Bury Me Deep in Love" is a fun (and incredibly cheesy) opening track, but the rest of the record is simply uninteresting and wholly underwhelming. If you're gonna listen to Australian bands, for the love of god, stick to Tame Impala or King Gizz.

2/5

Found the songwriting to be weak, and the music itself wasn’t particularly compelling

This album is the equivalent of motel art, only you're forced to stare at it for 1 hour and 47 minutes

This album didn't even make it into the top 30 of its own country's charts when released. I'm not surprised, I listened to it today, and it's as boring as batshit. It's upsetting when I think about some awesome albums that don't feature on the list and yet I have to listen to this dross. Lowpoints = vagabond holes (😳) and trick of the light

Couldn’t be more dull

Booring. Sounds like someone threw the lead singer of Tears for Fears into an uninspired 90s rock album.

Cheese

Я уже забыл о чем это было

It's ok. That's it. Wouldn't include this in albums I had to listen before I die tbh. Sounds nice but not something I would play again.

What is a Triffid? Is it even a real thing? Well, no they aren't. They're a fictional, predatory plant that could move around and kill other living things. They're from a 50's science fiction book called "The Day of the Triffids." Now, I didn't know that without looking it up. And I don't think you probably knew that when you listened to this album. I kind of think that's all I needed to know, really. I mean I didn't know that going into this album, and that's probably a good thing. I would've thought less of this album going in, and that wouldn't have been fair. But come on - to name your band after a fictional plant from an obscure science fiction book from the 50's? I mean you do you... This felt like the most generic light 80's rock I have ever heard good god. None of the lyrics are that incredible or insightful, the production feels like two dozen other 80's albums, and it's just...boring. It feels so safe, so *nice* and just so boring. What's something new that this brings to the table? What does it do exceptionally well that it deserves to be here? I'd love for someone to tell me. Because what does feel edgy (and there's little of it) feels derivative and the rest? A snore. Two stars. Standout Track: Calenture

J'ai trouvé les arrangements plutôt chargés et l'ensemble, sentimental et peu intéressant.

I really tired to see the appeal of this one. The fact that Domino Records re-issued it had me a little intrigued that there could be something special under the surface here. But I'm sorry to say that I just found it a bit boring. It's kind of the "smoother" side of new wave, maybe just as people were starting to get sick of the genre. I guess this is one of those "you had to be there" sort of albums to appreciate it. Unfortunately, I wasn't and this one was mostly forgettable.

2.5 A truly average album. It’s far from the worst thing I’ve heard, but there’s nothing really extraordinary about it. The first song stinks, but then the song after that is pretty good, and it kinda goes back and forth like that for the whole album. The good isn’t consistent, and the bad is just around the corner. The singer is also like that. One of the most average voices I’ve heard ever. Nothing special about it at all. For these songs to connect, he needs to be a way worse singer, like Leonard Cohen, so we could focus on the lyrics, or way better, like Bono so we can focus on the melody. As it is now, it’s just “okay.”

I'm partial to a bit of 80's now and then - with one of the great appeals being the nostalgia/ memories that the songs evoke. I don't know the Triffids - so am listening fresh without the nostalgia glow or the familiarity of having heard the songs on repeat over the last 30 years. Without this the album feels like generic 80's pop and I don't have time or inclination to listen to it enough for the songs to worm their magic.

The album opens with the savagely anodyne 'Bury Me Deep in Love'; a song that I would happily have believed was penned by David Brent. This was the soundtrack to Harold and Madge's wedding on Neighbours. As Neighbours-wedding songs go it comes in at second place, a good few laps behind Angry Anderson, and ahead of no others I'm aware of. 'A Trick of the Light' provides a glimpse of the dated pop glory that could have been, save for Dad vocal and truly bad lyrics ("I was beating on her like an anvil; beating her out of original shape"). 'Save What You Can' is also a decent one. But hey, even a blind squirrel will find a few acorns. I'm happily waving goodbye to the day of the Triffids.

What is that sound on the right speaker in 1:20 of Open for You? The rest of the album, just fine, dont see the reason of it being on a 1001 list to hear before you die. It feels like its drenched in reverb for no reason. Listened twice but was not impressed by the band, not feeling feverish as the title implies. 4/10

Not bad, but very generic and similar sounding throughout. Standout song: A Trick of the Light

There’s some really awesome Aussie bands that could be on the list and this is not one of them.

Forgettable (Definitely didn't need to be a double disk album with rehearsal / demo recordings for each track)

This is so absurdly bland, why is it on the list? The songwriting is so safe and predictable, it never goes anywhere I didn't expect. Musically, it's pretty toothless. It it just feels so safe. It nearly does things to pull me in, put gives up and goes back to being safe. E.g. I was kind of enjoying the country twang on Hometown Farewell Kiss but its pretty subtle and it eventually gets dropped entirely. The performances are generally fine but nothing to make a fuss about. Bury Me Deep in Love sounds ripped straight from the sad scene from a Dreamworks film At least David McComb's voice is pretty good (he shows that off pretty well on Unmade Love) and it has the 80s drums sound that I'm fond of Highlights: Unmade Love

Not the most exciting or revelatory album I've listened to. So far I'm struggling to find the point of this list

It’s an Australian band. 2 stars not for me

I had this on whilst I was making breakfast, and one of my dogs decided to shit on the floor. Cleaning that up was more memorable and enjoyable than this album.

Totally eh, maybe so should give it another listen

If I had heard this independently from this list I would have thought it was a group of semi talented teenagers who just need a little guidance. But to find out this was their 4th album and on this list is shocking.

Sounds like a cheap knockoff of Simple Minds ... and I don't like Simple Minds.

My initial impression is that this album would most often be found in a record store's CD bargain bin. While I'm positive that this could be a hidden treasure to some, it feels like off-brand Echo & the Bunnymen to me. There are hints of something greater, but overall unimpressive. Not sure this one needs to be here.

What is going on in AUS

Not my jam, but this was probably fine at the time. Kinda sounds like discount Billy Joel.

Disappointed.

There's parts in these songs where it's alright but I think I don't like the vocals, and overall the music isn't doing much for me.

Some of the tracks were okay-ish, but overall it was quite bland. 1.5

Like the Thompson Twins, but less interesting. I never thought THAT was possible.

Its like if HIM were a Christian band

Pretty condescending and treacly from a bunch of Australians.

About what you’d expect. Nothing notable

I think it’s a solid album, but I don’t think I’ll ever revisit.

started off being like, why does everyone hate this? it’s fun 80s stuff, some fun synth. then it definitely is too long and starts to get so derivative. but still waaaay better than some of the british crap on this list, respectfully

Just so long and boring

A couple decent songs, but mostly just that thin, echoey, terrible 80s sound.

Annoying with its bombastic ass sound. Their previous two albums are much better and nicer sounding with sparser arrangements, and with songs that are present here, but done much better. Literally, Jerdacuttup Man is a leftover track from In The Pines, albeit more rockish, while the former is more melancholic and desolate, like the outback of Australia where they based their sound from. And much better. Especially sad that this is in the 1001 albums list :/. They have better releases, people! ⭐⭐

This is a somewhat forgettable 1980s Brit-Pop album. There are some good songs, but it honestly doesn't really stick out as a full piece. Best Songs: Bury Me Deep in Love, Kelly's Blues, Vagabond Holes, Everything You Touch Turns to Time Worst Songs: Holy Water, Love the Fever

Uninteresting

Looking at the genres, I expected this to be a folkier take on Morrissey's shtick. Instead, I got if the worst of Nick Cave was produced by U2. Bleh. I usually think these low average scores are an overreaction, but I completely understand why this left a bad taste in many people's mouths. It's not awful, but oh so dull.

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

Mediocre version of other bands of that era

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

Not my jam.

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

Meh

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!

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.

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.

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

chill, alright

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

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

aight

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

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.

OK-e Rockmusik. 2S.

Meh

Sucks

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

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

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

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.

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

Meh.

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

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

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.

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.

nah

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

• 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

Very mid and forgettable

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

2.1 1x catchup 11/6/24

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

Oof. Couldn't finish it all.

Etwas gewöhnlich, schnell vergessen.

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?

Pretty generic

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.

I didn't really dig it.

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.

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

Too long, too boring, two stars.

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

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

Idc 1.5

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

😴

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

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.

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’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..

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

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

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.

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

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.

As boring as the album art implies

This was like a bad low budget movie soundtrack

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 wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t memorable. Fine background. I was slightly interested in ‘The Jerdacuttup Man’ but the story was weak.

This was just so innocuous, and then there's that awful '80s snare sound and this became difficult to listen to. Other than that, I've already forgotten what I didn't like about this. There was nothing that stood out.

Day184 - i can think of a handful of ‘80s artists that won’t make the list with better albums, but it’s nostalgic and i watched “the secret of my success” and “beverly hills cop” after listening to this

Meh.

I would say this band is just ho hum, not great, but not offensive, just middle of the road pop music for the 80’s.

Very much a wannabe band

80’s pop fluff music. Way too long & why oh WHY is this on the list??!

If I liked Deacon Blue or Big Country or Simple Minds I guess I’d like this. But I don’t, so I don’t. Not enough excitement to be pop, not enough attitude to be rock, not enough emotion to be soul. I have no idea what this is. 2/5

So long! Is ok

I’m not familiar with the Triffids. I don’t hate it, but a double album is just way too long!

Wasn’t terrible, just didn’t do it for me ! 2*

Perfectly cromulent 80s pop-rock.

Enjoyed the energy and diversity of instrumentals but the lyrics lacked a substance.

I hate to say it but….trash?

Meh this was some typical 80 s pop by a band with one of the worst names. it was really just okay so many other artists created more interesting catchy songs with the 80s popular sounds. This one was a pass over. 4.9/10

Mmmmmm Did not appreciated too much, maybe I should get back here for a check

Odd lyrics, unimaginative production and generally forgettable experience bar one or two half-interesting moments.

i wanted to but i did not like it

These guys must have thought they were the business cos holy hell that's a lot of tracks for such a bland band. And the re-ssued version has a second side of the same stuff again. Aussie Lloyd Cole without the tunes. Does remind me of a few of these slightly folky straight ahead rock bands of the time, maybe a bit of Deacon Blue or Big Country, but again lacking in interest. I'm sure their mums all bought a copy at least.

Welp, that was pointless. Yeah, I don't think this album needs to be on the list. There aren't a ton of Australians that I would consider legends. Among my very small list are Steve Irwin, AC/DC, and the "Democracy Manifest" guy. Notice how the Triffids aren't on that list? It's because I've never heard of them before, and to be honest, it doesn't even seem like they're that popular in Australia either. As for the quality of the album itself, it's kind of mediocre. The singing and instrumentals are solid, I'll give the album that. However, they are a bit repetitive. The writing is fine, I guess. Some songs felt a bit too similar to each other, but whatever. Overall, it's kind of mid, and didn't need to be on here, but I didn't hate it as much as other people on this website did. High 2/5.

Kirkland Signature Depeche Mode. Synth pop that has a bit of jangle, a bit of hooky new wave power pop, a bit of dark and moody, and even a bit of heartland twang, but doesn't lean hard enough in any direction to be really satisfying. It's easy listening, but most of the tracks seem like they'd be filler on the good bands of the era's albums. It gets more cloying and boring as it goes on and the endearing novelty of the unrestrained 80s production wears thin. Last 4 songs end it on a high note with more subtle radio pop bright bass forward sound (and the bonus disc demos let the instruments and songs shine through the cheesy production).

Today, someone sent me an audio clip of Nirvana's "Tastes Like Teen Spirit" if it had been recorded by an 80s band. Reminds me a bit of this. Just a bit. To be fair, I am an 80s kid and liked (still like) synth wave and (American) New Wave (if we must use these grubby terms), up until just before the point where it met what eventually metastasised into Bubblegum Metal This is a masterpiece of 80s production values – gated snares, reverb a room wide etc. Emphasis on creating a series of pocket epics. On the whole, it's a creation of its time and place. Probably belongs there.

Nah.

im far too out of touch for most of these albums to not sound samey to me

I mean...it sounds like a lot of other music of the time. Nothing much stood out for me.

More mediocre 80s pop music - yay! So this album made it into the top 35 in Australia, Sweeden & New Zealand and that's it? I know commercial success isn't everything and that there's some incredible albums out there with minimal commercial success (and vice versa), but I'm more curious how the author of this list even discovered this album in the first place? Was it just to give us all a taste of the Australian version of mediocre 80s pop music? If so, mission accomplished. Musically this isn't the worst thing I've found on this list, but it's pretty boring. I made it through the whole thing and there were a few very fleeting moments of something that caught my attention, but overall way over-produced and cheesy. I'm sad that Google Music is now going to consider this in my history when recommending new music to me.

Not my era.

Just okay. But not turn-it-off awful.

It started it off very pop oriented mainstream then it got darker as it went on - at least the lyrics, because musically it remained kind of bland late 80s pop rock which isn't my cup of tea. I wanted to enjoy it more but I couldn't really.