Reviews (page 6 of 8)
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.
I don't usually go for music that is this straightforward and open, and this is normally where I insert my "how is this an album you need to hear before you die" tirade. But I don't know. This one kind of won me over. Is it great? Probably not. But it was more enjoyable than I expected it to be, given the rather harsh reviews it got.
so 80's. 3?
Not a bad album. Nothing too exciting.
I keep wanting to call this band The Truffles instead of The Triffids. I don’t know why The Triffids doesn’t stick for me. Probably because I’m a bit dim. Anyway, this album was very fun. I’d absolutely have assumed it was 80’s UK synthpop if not for a quick google which told me they’re actually from the other side of the world - the warmer and happier Australia. The music very much has that UK feel to my ears, sounding like Duran Duran, Erasure, etc. I really enjoyed this album, and I’ll hopefully find time to listen again.
Not bad, just not something I would ever choose to listen too again
Did not like at all
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.
Didn't care for this at all.
Unremarkable
Surprised I never heard of them.good and relaxing songs
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
Another totally mid 80s pop album. There was nothing special about it, but at least it wasn’t painful. It was typical over polished pop songs that were almost all about love and the drum line sounded exactly the same on every single song which really annoyed me but otherwise this was totally forgettable.
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
Not good.
Thie feels like it comes from the Nick Cave adjacent corner of Australian rock. But maybe less gothic, more artistic and with a folky flavour. I want to listen to this album again, it feels like it has more to offer
C'est pas du mauvais pop-rock simili new-wave, mais ça manque définitivement de punch
Maudlin lyricism and jangly pop instrumentation are the sweet n sour combo of the music world. Fight me on it! It's the combo I can't get enough of it, done best by The Smiths, but done quite well by these Triffids too.
pretty boring
Hm I didn’t dislike it. I felt like it started off stronger and then just sort of went on for a little too long with the latter half being a lil too similar. But I liked it! I’d listen to it in the background happily. But I’m not like ITCHING to re-listen to it as much.
good i guess, but didn’t hit me too hard. don’t hate it! couple great songs in there.
so generically 80s
I loved The Triffids earlier Born Sandy Devotional, and Calenture definitely keeps up a similar folk rock sound just without managing to ever hit the highs of the former album.
So long! Is ok
That’s 80s pop sounds get so annoying after 20 minutes
Eek. Awful
I’m not familiar with the Triffids. I don’t hate it, but a double album is just way too long!
Favourite song - Unmade love
never heard of them
Much better than expected. Sleeper hit
This was a surprise hit for me
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.
very cool
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
Honnêtement, j'ai essayé, mais rien n'y fait, cet album m'ennuie. Qu'il est long... 17 chansons, c'est infini !! Même si je peux cultiver une certaine tendresse pour le pop rock 80's un peu kitsch, pour le coup ça ne m'a pas transporté pas du tout. Pas une seule chanson n'est sortie du lot, même pas certaine d'avoir mémorisé quoique ce soit. Parfois j'ai eu l'impression d'écouter une sorte de INXS de pub un peu mollasson... Décidément pas conquise.
Mmmmmm Did not appreciated too much, maybe I should get back here for a check
очень нежненько, приятный лёгкий меланхоличный рок
Oh my goodness, that's AWFUL! The absolute worst, most dreary, and pretentious band of a truck load of similar bands; only a few of which were objectively 'good' ( by which I mean displayed talent rather than whether I liked them or not). I can only guess that whoever put this on the list was either related to one of the band or lost a bet. Terrible.
Odd lyrics, unimaginative production and generally forgettable experience bar one or two half-interesting moments.
Bad, and not in the 80s "bad meaning good" way, just.... Questioning how this made it onto this listing.
Pretty sure this album is used as an interrogation tactic as listening to this will get even the most hardened of criminals to spill the beans!
STANDOUTS: n/a; the first album I started skipping once I became bored OVERALL: 1/5; bad jesus dad music....I THINK NOT
Pretty good. Some great.
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.
A nice surprise that doesn't quite hit a 4
These are songs YouTube personalities would come out with in like 2015 to have as their quirky little side quest.
Not for me 1/5
I don't remember the last time I came around on an album so much. When "Bury Me Deep In Love" started, I felt like I was listening to the lamest worship band ever, and I think it coloured my perception for the whole first listen. But when I came back to it I found myself really loving it (the album I mean, the song is still lame). I really enjoyed the very 80s production. Parts of the album had a sort of "Hounds of Love" feel, while other sounded similar to their Aussie contempories INXS, but set apart by the more folksy, unpolished vocals. The main problem with this album is that its three best songs - "Blinder by the Hour", "Vagabond Holes", and "Jerdacuttup Man" - are back to back near the end. I think it's possible that if the album opened with any of those, the average reviews might be a little less skewed, but that's just speaking from my own experience. Overall this was quite a trip and I'm glad I've finally done my duty as an Australian and listened to this band.
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).
drivel
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.
Gives me great 80's vibes. I was not familiar with them at all and would like to hear more. Kelly's Blues was my favorite song but there would be other good ones.
Nah.
No fucking way does this belong here
Nah. Nothing there for me
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.
Entspannte Rock-Musik aus Down-Under 4/5
Some standotus, but a long album with a lot of songs that sound the exact same. 3/5.
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.
What a snoozer.
This hits like the music playing on the radio in an older relative’s car.
a little too tasteful for my taste
Have no idea why “Calenture” is on this list… The music is pretentious, the albums is over-produced, and the lyrics are absolutely dreadful…. Every song comes across as the musical version of a Hallmark Channel special… The people who create that Hallmark content, think they are producing something really exceptional – but for the rest of us who accidently watch it – we’re like WTF is this, and how could this get any worse… Here’s a little tidbit of the Triffids lyrical stylings in case your wondering - “Bad News Always Reminds Me of You” “…You get to itching for the devil's next love thing…” “…The time has come to look yourself in the face…” “…When everything around you moves fast…” “Look yourself in the face”??? I could see look yourself in the eye or something along those lines, but face??? Wow – there are just no words… This album is one of the worst of those on the 1,001 that I’ve listened to, and would give it a 0 if I could…
Straightforward 80's folk-ish pop, big hair and synths. Went on a bit.
Every individual song I thought was pretty decent but as I was nearing the end of the album I looked back and could only remember a nebulous blob of 80s generic music
Never heard of this group before but I liked this album ok. I’d give it another listen. Liked “Save What You Can”.
This was nice but didn't grab me today. Very emotional '80s piano pop rock
Kind of a chore not for me. It's spent too much time trying to sound big
Oh this was hard to listen to…cheesy and overproduced (Church bells? Pedal steel? Why??) but most of all just the most over-the-top melodramatic lyrics this side of a musical.
I just wasn't into it. It just felt really cheesy and self-righteous. Not necessarily terrible musically. I just didn't care about any of the songs
This album wasn't good. From the very first song, my main impression was of over-the-top cheese. As songs ticked by, I formed a theory that every song on this album has one of three uses: 1. Drunken karaoke where some rando hit the wrong song button. 2. 90's movie montage background music (think of the cliche "running to the airport to try and confess your love") 3. Horribly cheesy 80's music videos in black and white with the singer appearing to be really angsty, looking off in the distance. To make it 100% obvious, none of these scenarios are things that a musical group should aspire to.
Bland.
Not a good album, very dull and pedestrian - there are far far better bands from the land of oz
Why is this on the list and INXS - Kick isn't? It's far superior in every way to this bland effort.
Had never heard of this band and after listening to the album I know why. Generic 80’s sounds abound and it occasionally reminds you of music by a better artist. Not sure why I needed to listen to this one before I die - unless it was to show me there were better albums in this year. If you want a better Aussie music from 1987 go listen to INXS - Kick which is criminally missing from the list.
I mean this was fine. It sounded like a lot of other things from this era. Or perhaps a lot of other things from this era sound like this. It reminded me of other stuff through and through. It was what it was.
A highly beige and irritating listen... Did not like this at all
eugh, really nonsense. I HATED his voice, it was so bland
Not sure if they were trying too hard, but I just didn’t get into this album. Flickers of great music but overall just mediocre. 2.5/5
Listened all day. Had a nice day. Bury me deep in love.
01) Bury Me Deep in Love - 6,5 02) Kelly's Blues - 6,0 03) Trick of the Light - 6,5 04) Hometown Farewell Kiss - 6,0 05) Unmade Love - 5,5 06) Open for You - 5,5 07) Holy Water - 6,5 08) Blinder by the Hour - 5,5 09) Vagabond Holes - 5,5 10) Jerdacuttup Man - 5,0 11) Calenture - 5,0 12) Save What You Can - 5,5 TOTAL: 5,75 (58/100) Current ranking: 153/176 I guarantee you that we had better albums in Ex Yugoslavia only in 1987. Nothing is exciting or new on this album.
Boring
I didn't like this album, and there's a lot of space to improve. For one, the main vocalist's voice is barely passable. It has that distinctive 80s-pop-synth-man that's trying to be embellished and theatrical, but doesn't quite get there. And yet it's obvious that the music is centred around the singing, excluding the short title track Calenture, which was a mess of orchestra and piano, attempting and failing to deliver any drama. The remaining tracks aren't exactly terrible, but they're very uninteresting. The instruments are easy enough to focus on in terms of volume and texture, but they don't vary much, instead yielding to the singing, which isn't the best idea for this band. The strongest track was the album opener Bury Me Deep in Love, which was heavily 80s-acoustic sounding but still decent. Disney-esque. It overstayed its welcome by a minute or so, which was also true of many other tracks. Vagabond Holes was so ridiculously poorly written, mostly in terms of melody/rhythm, that (coupled with the catchy instrumental) it looped back around to being kind of fun to listen to. Save What You Can was a decent piano-driven track that ended the album on a good note. All the remaining tracks were aggressively forgettable, even while I was still listening to them. The reason behind this was most likely the poor melodies – easily the music's weakest link – and the lack of any good hooks. Very surprised this made it onto the list. It isn't captivating, innovative, inspiring, catchy... or popular (judging by Spotify listens). 1/5 Key tracks: Bury Me Deep in Love, Vagabond Holes, Save What You Can
I’m an absolute sucker for the jangly indie sound these guys have Plenty of good tunes too
Well. That was definitely techno.
Stereotypically 80s sounding but without any discernible hit, just extremely forgettable and lack of talent for song-writing.
Nice vibe. Often obsessive and a little creepy. "Unmade Love" is particularly good. "Blinder by the Hour" for the creepy imagery too. "Jerdacuttup Man" is good fun too, as is the mellow and melancholy title track.
Why
Feels a little like echo and the bunnymen meets INXS
unbearably dull. even the good songs were boring and the tracklist was soooo long. 17 songs and most of them have the audacity to be over 4 minutes? but not bad.
Pleasantly surprised by this album. I had never heard of this band before and I enjoyed the INXS meets Echo and the Bunnymen vibe I got from them.
Heavy sigh... Yet another late 80's, band. Not UK this time, but Australia. I mean, it's not bad. It's just not good. A bit overproduced, a bit overbown.... And ultimately BORING 2/5
I didn't hate this, there was just nothing remarkable about it that makes me think it warrants a spot on the list. Like within a year I will have forgotten I listened to this.
It was ok
Kinda boring tbh. 1.5/5.0: Bad
Actually not bad, lost a bit of energy but enjoyed the first half of the album. Very polished and radio friendly
2.5
Very emotional, but in an annoying, whiny, melodramatic way and too derivative to be interesting. 2/5
i usually try to have an open mind, especially when i'm presented with an artist i've never heard before. i was excited to listen to this one based on the genres given on wikipedia, but unfortunately i was a bit disappointed in this one. although i think the songwriting was fairly intriguing and the lead singer's voice was very strong, i can't get past the production on this one. i imagine if this album was produced more like a folk-y album, and not an 80s pop album, i would have liked it more. the production feels dated and not in a fun or good way, and doesn't feel like it fits the songs or the album. it took me several pauses within listening to listen through this one. sorry, not a huge fan!
Meh
I dont like this
This was a band/record I had never heard of, and it was perfectly fine. Catchy and safe alternative music from the 80s. Solid but probably would never listen to again.
The first time I saw this album's cover, there was just this vibe about it. Like it was going to become the new album I bring up whenever I make some of the inclusions on this list. "CALENTURE got on this list, but not something or other?" That sort of deal. Listening to the album certainly didn't dispel that feeling. And the thing is, actually, that I don't even really think this album is... **Entirely** bad. It's got moments here and there—check those Irish-sounding instruments on "Jerdacuttup Man", not to mention how its opening sounds like Pink Floyd's "Echoes". I think that stuff's neat. It's just all so few and far between is all, which really highlights how oppressively, suffocatingly "FI-I-I-I-INE" the rest of the album is. I just can't hear what makes this thing so special, and as a result it's so hard to give a shit about it. While I was writing this review, even, I got so bored re-listening to the first side that I didn't even let it finish. What would I even gain? It's not like letting "Open For You" play out a second time would change my mind. In conclusion, to be fair, this album's got more going for it than others I've found to be slogs—TIMELESS, MAXINQUAYE—but, yeah, it's definitely going to be one of my new punching bags. Sorry, Australia. Maybe give me some AC/DC or INXS or whatever next time.
It's just kind of your standard 80's rock album. Nothing too special.
It’s a 2.5 that I cannot possibly bring myself to round up to a 3… but it’s not that terrible. It’s just boring. There’s genuinely some good soundscapes here, and I’d say the vocal performance only ever dips to a real low by “Vagabond Holes,” but this album just feels like the equivalent of just getting a vanilla ice cream when there’s so many other flavors and toppings available. Most of the songs are fine to listen to, but when you look at the lyrics, the concepts of each song sort of fall apart with lyrics that are either too contrived or too outdated and “safe” for 1987, let alone 2024. Instrumentally, I think the mixing on this album is all over the place, and in terms of production, these are trying so desperately hard to sound important and bombastic with this rich variety of instruments, and it just falls flat because as a listener, it’s incredibly easy to tell where they’re just trying too hard. The problem, of course, is that they’ve tried just enough to exist within the limbo of “good enough to listen to, not good enough to care,” and that is the cardinal sin any album can fall into. If I were going by a 10… I dunno, a 5.5, maybe? Decent listen, but instantly forgettable, hence the 2.
Just plain…not exactly ground breaking
No idea why this was included
it was ok.
Fits right in with this era and genre but doesn't do much for me. Fine. 2.5
Solid 80s90s alternative. Open For You reminded me of the Church.
pretty middle of the road pop rock, nothing here is bad but my enjoyment isnt very high either. 6/10
I remember the Triffids back in the day and though the music is okay, I am underwhelmed and surprised this band and this album is deemed essential on the list. There are so many more bands from the 80's that played a similar style of music that did it much better. Fellow Australians, Hoodoo Gurus come to mind, whose music is much more appealing and interesting than the Triffids. This isn't a bad album by any stretch, I like some of it, but I didn't realize before just how Christian-rock-like they sound, which loses points with me and some songs are just plain boring and MOR.
Australians. This is a pretty soft album for the descendants of hardened criminals. Just kidding. It's fine. Some folky-new wave goodness.
This one surprised me. Felt like a 2 to start and left me wanting some more
This wasn't great, but I made it through. Weird choice for the list.
Not the biggest fan
Couldn’t finish it. I made it to song 5 and dreaded listening to the rest.
It’s ok
pretty good
Idk I kinda liked it. There's too many ideas, it's overproduced, the lyrics are trite at best, but there are occasional bits that I really enjoy.
I don’t hate this album like a lot of the reviewers do, but man is it a wildly uneven album. Some of these songs are fantastic, notably Kelly’s Blues, Hometown Farewell Kiss, and Bad News Always Reminds Me of You. But around those you have mediocre to weak tracks. It’s a rough listen as a whole
Gave it a couple spins. Nope. Bad.
Nothing special here.
We can breathe easy, Simon: this was a happy playthrough, and I will go round a few more times when I’m not having the sort of day I’m having now. It’s all very romantic, isn’t it? Sings its intentions straight of the gate, grand gestures set-off with cute, clever little fluorishes, music that has you listening carefully one moment, singing along full gas the next. Blinder by the Hour swept me around the ballroom before I was pulled into the disconcerting outro, strings off and ominous: you’ve had your fantasy, now hear love going wrong. The macabre content and singing of Jerdacuttup Man brought a too-easy comparison to Nick Cave; the conceit appealed to me, my ambivalence to Cave notwithstanding.
I'll admit upfront: I *love* The Triffids. However, I've always thought this album a bit over-produced and over-long. I didn't even transfer my CD copy to MP3 back in the day, but a few years ago I had a cheeky listen on Spotify and discovered, to my shame, most of these songs were *great*. You just have to accept that e.g. "Holy Water" is simultaneously fabulous and cheesy as hell. If you prefer it dialed back a bit, "In The Pines" has some stripped-down demos/early versions, but they all gained something from the kitchen-sink approach here. I guess McComb et al. were chasing the big hit, but didn't quite make it. No disgrace, they were on "Neighbours" after all - indelible and eternal. Reading the reviews here - eat shit, monkeys: go sit in the corner, listen to Kid A and think about what you've said. If it's not on here already, I'm adding "Born Sandy Devotional" to the list when I'm finished to show you fuckers.
Confused. Country or 80s soft rock.
I had never h was rid of them before. Enjoyable listen.
That was terrible. What are those lyrics?
Wow, this album really, really sucks!
No thank you.
Definitely a 80's album, not bad and would listen again. I have never heard of this band.
it's like 80s pirate music? not sure about this one. again, not the worst thing on the list... and has some potentially catchy tunes. Not the style of music I would get into today, but I could see modern bands covering some of this and it sounding good.
Not bad
Boring, nothing special. I was waiting for it to end.
I don't entirely understand how it made it to this list but I'm very happy about it. Every single song is so good.
Too long to be 3
Best Song: Holy Water. Just a real joyous chorus. Those church bells almost swing the whole production into "Hallmark-movie-cheesiness" levels, but it just manages to toe the line. Worst Song: Open for You. Sounds like a song from a children's album that's trying to teach me about how doors work. Overall: Pretty stock-standard alt-rock. You've got your occasional catchy chorus amidst a whole whack of forgettable tracks. Slightly below medium music.
I liked this album the vocals are poweful, the arrangements simple straight forward melodious, which helped draw me into the music and the lyric. Unforutunately my music service does not provide lyrics on this album but they seem very romantic and at times tragicly so. They remind me of another "down under" band; The Go-Betweens. A nice discovery 3.5 stars
Really enjoyable singer songwriter rock album with hints of U2, especially the spiritual lyrics. Surprised not to have heard them before - smart, poetic, engaging.
Wake me up when he’s done, please.
Not for me!
Never did like Spandau Ballet, OMD, or Thompson Twins...& now not a fan of The Triffids either! The Church and Nick Cave do the Aussie new wave thing much better.
The 80s cheese was too much for me
Incredibly heavy. Who likes this?
The opening track is objectively awful. It's up and down after that. A little all over the place to be suitable for background listening, far too irritating to be suitable for foreground listening. It's not a good sign when the reviews of an album are more entertaining than the album itself. I am often partial to Australian pop, but not this time. Well, a second time through it grew on me a little. But I still don't think this album belongs on this list.
I thought it wasn't bad, sounds a bit like echo and the bunnymen at times, which as it had the same producer makes sense.
Very boring..not unlistenable hence 2 stars, but not great!
Couple of gems on here, will definitely re-listen
Very middle of the road. It's not bad, it's not great. A bit repetitive. Was going to give it a 3/5 but it went on so long I lost interest and it's really got to be a 2.
Nothing special, but I don't dislike it.
No los había escuchado y un par de temas bastante bien.
Very replaceable. Like echo and the bunny men without any edge.
Very different sound. Hit and miss in terms of connecting to songs.
3.4/5 Best Track: Vagabond Holes
Has the drama of the Cure but none of the incredible songwriting. Everything I heard was just fine. There's not a whole lot of Australian bands on the list so it's a shame when the experience just sort of passes me by with barely any impression.
I've never heard of the Triffids, so I went into this with fresh ears. While "Calenture" wasn't nearly as dark as the Wikipedia synopsis implies, there is a distinct feeling of longing and loneliness to the album. The music is interesting and hard to classify. In places it sounds like INXS and others like Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, which is fitting, but it's all blended with tinges of New Wave, Irish folk, and post punk. "Trick of the Light" really hits home, and is probably my favorite track. Definitely worth a listen and will probably come back to it.
it's quite generic and the lyrics at times are rather uninspired, though by far not as unlistenable as the reviews suggest. however, recently, I got into the work of their fellow Aussie and Nick Cave's old friend and collaborator Rowland S. Howard, and now that I know how good Aussie music released in the 80s and 90s sounded like, I can't be too generous with my rating for this album either
Hmm, sounds a bit like Tesco Value U2 to my ears. And I don't like them much either. However, this did get better as the record went on. Very cheesy vocally. Can also imagine David Brent knocking out a rendition of these. Favourite tracks: Kelly's Blues, Unmade Love, Blinder By The House, Vagabond Holes, Jerdacuttup Man.
This is standard 1980s fair. Nothing really exciting about it. Most of the songs just sort of fly by and make little to no impact on me. Very interchangeable in both sound and influence.
I liked this album for the same reason I liked the film “Road House.”
Wasn’t for me. Kind of boring and repetitive.
definition of a mid album. nothing great nothing really that bad. just meh 5/10
It aight didn't pay too much attention tbh - 6/10
2nd album of day 2, this was really great road trip music. I think I’d get bored of it regularly but it was very nice to drive to. Took us from petrified forest national park in Arizona to a bit west of albequrque. capa#12
I was pleasantly surprised because I expected to dislike it. Didn’t really stick out from every other rock album, but not bad at all. 7/10
5/10 - It was alright. No songs really stood out. Nothing was bad it was just fine.
Mid British rock with weird lyrics 4.5/10
So average. Nothing stood out, no songs I'd want to revisit, but also not necessarily awful sounding. Just a boring album. 3/10
A bit of James and crowded house vibes but not catchy enough
Drowning in 80s production plus a Kenny G ish sax solo equals a whole lot of painful listening. If the book needed an Australian band in the 80s to be represented, Men At Work and Midnight Oil would have been more palatable.
Every song to me was in the B- to B+ range, and the whole didn't outperform the sun of its parts
There must be 10000 better albums then this unlistenable garbage.
Pop music isn’t exactly known for its lyrics but that can be hidden behind hooks and infectious melodies. This band brings the lyrics front and centre but they’re dopey and sometimes overwrought. The music is fine. But I’m never coming back to this. 2/5
Upon hearing Sgt. Pepper’s for the first time, Bob Dylan is reported to have said, “Oh, I get it. You don’t want to be cute anymore.” That transition started with Sgt. Pepper’s (and maybe even a little before that), but it really takes hold on this album. Oops, wrong album! I’m glad the 1001 website has begun to allow editing. (I accidently gave this album 5 stars, somehow thinking I was reviewing The White Album.) As for Calenture, it’s decent, but it doesn’t belong on this list. I saw where one reviewer suggested that The Triffids should have “been at the top rock table with U2 and R.E.M.” No. The Triffids remind me a lot of The Church, except that The Church are better. And no one is suggesting that The Church is on par with R.E.M. or U2. Decent album, but it doesn’t belong on the 1001 list.
could i write poetry to this?
This...is...just...plain...terrible. If you want Mid-80's-New Romantic music, listen to ABC or Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. If you want underground Australian music, listen to Smudge or The Church. If you want a horrible, unfulfilling experience, listen to "Calenture" by The Triffids. Can I give negative stars? I feel as though I am owed something because I endured this album. Mr. Dimery, I will accept PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, CashApp, or FB Messenger for immediate payment of no less than $30.
Boring and generic. I already don't remember anything about it.
Vous voyez ce moment où quelqu'un veut absolument vous faire découvrir une chanson et qu'en l'écoutant vous trouvez ça ni bon ni mauvais, c'est juste pas votre style et vous commencez à en avoir marre au bout d'une minute ? Et bien c'est ce que nous fait vivre Robert depuis, non pas une minute, mais le temps de 1060 albums c'est-à-dire environ 50 000 minutes.
Plus qu'une vingtaine d'albums, l'esprit commence à s'allèger, la joie de vivre revient petit à petit dans ma vie. Bientôt la fin de ce calvaire.
Sucked
I'd never heard of the Triffids. Turns out, I love the Triffids.
not really my thing- i can understand why it would be considered a hidden gem, though really i still think there are albums that could've taken its place on this list. lyrically meh, sonically kind of fun. i think i remember scott and scott talking about david mccomb on u talking u2 to me the other day so that makes me want to respect them more. i like eighties melodramatic pop but this is just blah. 5/10 fav tracks: a trick of the light
Un lindo disco, con buenos matices, pero excesivamente largo.
Never heard of them, not an album/CD I would buy.
Folk rock. Ni fu ni fa.
Schrecklicher 80er Schnulzengesang.
Complete garbage
No Go
This 2004 album (latest so far!) is by a band that I had never heard of, which was exciting. Calenture by the Triffids. Let me tell you this thing was a complete non-starter for me. This whole album sounds like 80's worship and hold music in a bad way. See if I was on hold and I heard this stuff, I wouldn't mind, in fact it be maybe a little pleasantly surprised. But you don't go to an album to listen to hold music. If you do, listen to this, but I imagine you don't. The mixing is so obnoxious in pretty much every song and the lyrics are super melodramatic. You will not catch me listening to this. The greatest tragedy of this is that the Triffids is a dope band name.
not like bad but eminently forgettable
Meatloaf from lidl. Nothing particularly interesting, until it got worse as it went on. The instrumental piano song at the end was really out of place. Stand-out: Bury Me Deep In Love
Favorites: Jerdacuttup Man, Calenture, Save What You Can. Different vocals and sound.
Tried to be Springsteen but bad. Too many songs.
Why is this album so long? I didn’t even make it halfway through and thought it was over…. but no it kept going. And for what? This is music that’s played in public spaces to get people to LEAVE. I hope to erase this from my memory immediately.
Bury this album deep in the ground. I'd rather listen to that free U2 album.
I felt like I was listening to Echo and the Bunnymen but a not-good version of that. This isn't my thing, two stars.
I kept listening thinking it was gonna grow on me, but it never happened.
1987, Australian 5/5: Holy Water, Bury Me Deep in Love, 4/5: Kelly's Blues, A Trick of the Light, Open For You, Vagabond Holes, Save What You Can 3.5
Ist nicht schlecht, aber nichts was ich mir nochmal antun würde.
The lyrics were ok, the music was ok. Just wasn't interested in this one. 3/5.
I was surprised that I enjoyed a couple of these songs after seeing the reviews. Safe album, but I still kinda liked it. Vagabond Holes was probably my favorite here.
The worst of the 27 I've had. Wow. This is music as if cobbled together by an AI (I've heard some), trained on later 80ies pop rock and whatever they're singing in their camps at World Youth Day. It's all quite creepy, really. Made it to "Holy Water", and barely so, but only for the auditory equivalent of watching a train wreck. Absolutely dreadful. Ew. I am honestly feeling sorry for the so far two albums in the 1 star suite, as I'm sending in their new roommate. They didn't deserve this 😞
Australia must have been a post-apocalyptic Mad Max musical wasteland in the mid- to late-80’s
Album #10? I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Reminded me of Prefab Sprout with a little less edge. Not sure if it will go in my regular rotation, but this album scratches a particular itch and does its genre well.
I expected to like this album more than I do; I am a fan of the previous album 'In The Pines', but the best song on 'Calenture' is an update on a song from 'In The Pines'.
Never heard of these guys. Interesting story behind the band and David McComb. I liked the album so much I listened to another one. I'm not sure how to characterize it. Maybe alternative pop with a side of melancholy?
Never heard of this group or recall any of the songs listened to off this album. Did find their music enjoyable despite what I thought after reading about them.
Never heard of this band. I liked it. The 80s new wave vibe without synths or melodrama.
Mehhh. Bien, pero tampoco nada del otro mundo. Me gustó. Pero se nota que es hijo de los 80.
How did this get on the list? Obviously never heard of this group and didn't really need to. I will finish the album so for that it gets a 2
Decent singing voices, some of the songs were easy to listen to, others not so much.
I just don’t get it. I go I to these wanting to like the music. That’s why I started this project. But this was awful. I dreaded each new song. How was this cutting edge ever? It sounded like it was written by eighth graders who thought they were deep. I was convinced it was Christian rock for half the album. I’m still part way there. Oh how I long for my life one week ago when I could honestly say I’d never heard of the Triffids.
Someone asked me what I was listening to and I was embarrassed to tell them I was listening to this. #notcool
This seems to be quite a big genre and this is harmless enough, but the poetry is incredibly basic
Every song sounds the same. no song stood out, same beat same tempo same cadence. this should have been a single not an album. there are some songs that add small different elements but they stand out uncomfortably over the sound of the album. instead of adding a fresh take it creates an awkward unwanted strain on the ear. and that is saying something when the entire album feels monotone and depressed. I cant see this album having an impact but it somehow has. and I dont undertand how
such a boring album. none of the riffs were interesting, the vocals were extremely subpar. I really had to fight to get through this album
Nice
Alternative and inoffensive, but there are songs worth coming back to!
Not a band or album I've heard or previously. I was expecting one (or more) of the tracks to trigger a memory, but it never happened. It's what I imagine AI would generate if you asked it create a bland 1980's sounding album. Pretty boring if you ask me, but I made it all the way through - so it gets 2 stars!
Maybe if I grew up with it? Feels like some pretty standard 80's rock but I guess these guys mattered in Austrailia. I can see the Kirin J Caliinan may be taking from these guys quite a bit honestly.
Bruce Willis' album The Return of Bruno charted higher than this. I'm not saying the US is the be-all and end-all of a good music judge, but it's usually a good watermark.
Pass.
Bland
Solid listening. Reminiscent of Go-Betweens, but not to that level.
1.5
A lot more enjoyable than the average rating implies, but remarkably inessential nonetheless.
DNF
Is this album meant to be on here
A bit boring
Very 1980s. I never liked the production sound of the 80s, the drum machines, the way the snare drum always sounds. This album while not too poppy, isn't that remarkable either. I'm not sure how or why this album made the list. It just sounds like the most generic soft rock from the 1980s.
a couple gems on here
This sucked man.
So this was a decent album with a couple tracks I really liked, though the song about the cromagnon mummy gave big indie basement band energy. Still, 2 hours is too long for any album to be. Favorite track was vagabond holes
I don’t know man. It didn’t vibe with me. It was like Bryan Adams but without the talent
A few decent tunes – "A Trick of the Light" being the best, with "Bury Me Deep" and "Bad News" are also solid – and above average overall, but not by a mile. "Love the Fever," with its egregious drum machine don't, reminds us why we should be grateful the '80s are over.
This is just really bad poetry over really uninspired musicianship. There's no reason to listen to this in the first place. This has no place being on this list. There's literally an Australian album that was released in 1987 that is so much more important: Midnight Oil's Diesel and Dust.
Fun 80s Australian band I had never heard of. Kinda U2 plus Talking Heads plus Plimsouls?
meh
Sympathique mais pas renversant, rock classique
Calenture by The Triffids is a nostalgic, romantic, and, at times, masochist journey. I think I read that some of the band members are from Australia, which makes sense considering that it was the land that saw Nick Cave and Michael Hutchens birth. I was captivated by the instrumentation and the passion delivered by each song. Definitely a great discovery.
surprised they filled two discs. I was not familiar with their work. OK, but nothing stands out for me.
Quite Irish. I listened but it didn’t hold my attention. I guess it would be ok if you’re looking for classic rock background music.
Vocals reminiscent of another good Aussie band The Go-Betweens and occasionally Tim Booth of James, fairly accessible indie pop. Very listenable and enjoyable. Another 80s Australian delight redeeming this list’s overindulgence of Nick Cave.
Mediocre record - I think I’m getting the hang of this - albums like this are here to contrast actually good ones - so that one can appreciate quality when one hears it. This? Definitely not one of them.
my jaw dropped, i regret not hearing of this band earlier, little bit digging into their history and finding that they've been basically cucked by aussie radio managers is saddening. These guys are great, no doubt about it
Just incredibly dull. Giving this a 2 as the singing is pretty good, just a shame the lyrics are such dross
This was surprisingly not bad was a very long album but might have to check out some others later on.
Pretty boring album. They know how to make 10 minutes sound like an hour. 1.5/5
Excrement. I'm embarrassed it's in my Spotify history.
Way too long. I like that they switch off vocalists though and nice instrumentals 2.1
This is amazingly of its time, right down to the terrible electronic drums on the first few tracks. He could go back and record those properly and they might be ok. After a few songs they decide to have a decent drum sound and it's all a bit less ridiculous. Oh wait, no back to hitting a wet tea cloth Summary. There's something here desperate to break out but it's just very uneven.
I don't really understand why I hate this so much, but I do. Unlistenable for me.
I usually love new wave music but this album just felt boring. Didn't stand out from other artists and didn't really capture my attention
It's like 80's music but also lo-fi? Kind of shoegaze-y. I could listen to it but didn't find it memorable/find joy in it. More like 1.5 stars.
The album "Calenture" by The Triffids is a significant work that explores themes of insanity, deception, and rootlessness, with a title referring to a fever suffered by sailors during long hot voyages . The album was released in November 1987 and reached No. 32 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart, No. 24 on the Swedish Albums Chart, and No. 25 on the New Zealand Albums Chart . Here's a detailed and comprehensive review of the album focusing on lyrics, music, production, and influence: Lyrics The lyrics of "Calenture" are characterized by a mix of doomed Romanticism, folk flourishes, country touches, and the darkest of blues, reflecting themes of loneliness, alienation, and marginalization . The album delves into the pain and loneliness of unrequited love, with a focus on emotions reined in . The characters described in the lyrics are disorientated, out of sorts, and out of kilter with the world, creating a sense of disorientation and emotional depth . Music The music of "Calenture" is described as an epic sounding album with big arrangements, immaculate production, and a lush sound . It features a mix of folk rock, pop rock, and indie rock styles, with songs full of undeniable emotion and lyrical themes . The album's sound is characterized by sinister guitars, pummeling drums, and a spiritual feel, creating an intense and hypnotic musical experience . Production The production of "Calenture" has been both praised and criticized. It was the band's first record for a major label, and the intention was to make it a big production album with a polished sound . The album underwent recording in seven different studios over several months, resulting in a powerful and beautifully balanced album that showcased the band's fine singer and songwriter, David McComb . However, some have criticized the studio sheen that hinders many mid-'80s albums, suggesting that the production sounds dated . Influence The Triffids' mix of doomed Romanticism, folk flourishes, country touches, and the darkest of blues has proved to be tremendously influential for a whole host of other Australian musicians . The band's unique arrangements and strong folk influence, including the use of Irish pipes and other wind instruments, have contributed to their influential legacy in the music industry . In conclusion, "Calenture" by The Triffids is a sweeping, majestic masterpiece that delves into themes of insanity, deception, and rootlessness through its emotional lyrics, epic music, and meticulous production. The album's influence on Australian music and its unique blend of musical styles have solidified its place in musical history.
It's good but not great. The album definitely grew on me as I listened through it and I think there a few tracks that I will go back and listen to again. However the album lacks that definitive edge that woukd make it a great album.
Not heard before. First impression is favourable.
perfectly pleasant, decent yacht rock
De martin Scorsese onder de muziek. Best wel vermakelijk maar veelste lang
Leuk album met best wat goeie nummers, maar het leek wat te lang. Het voelde ook een beetje onsamenhangend, alsof de nummers niet op 1 album thuishoorde…
1987 saw INXS’s “Kick,” Love and Rockets’ “Earth, Sun, Moon,” & the Cure’s “Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me.” None of these albums made the list yet this godawful tripe from 1987 that sounds like a parody Christian rock band made it.
Competent but fatally overwrought. Way too much reverb, just so that you know it was made in the 80s. Many blame Peter Gabriel for this studio sound. Nothing compelling.
В целом, очень приятная музыка. Похожа на ABBA. Но у меня правило -- 5 звезд ставлю только тогда, когда в песне есть хиты. Здесь таких хитов нет. Красиво, но ровно, без вспышек. Поэтому 4.
Didn't really leave an impression, 4/10
Good potential
I don't know why this copped so much hate on the global reviews. Such lush production and sound, great listen. Fav Track: Bury me deep in your love 3.5/5
Don't think there's anything particularly wrong with this record, it's just so far away from elements I enjoy. It took me four distinct listens to get through it. The lyrics have some pretty interesting turns of phrase, but otherwise it was one note for mine. Fave track: Everything You Touch Turns to Time
Wow - never expected an album like this to make this list; what is probably not even the most popular album from an Australian band that not often enough are mentioned in the discussion of the greats from this country. I'm surprised and delighted to see Calenture on this list and to listen to it again. David McComb is in my mind one of the best songwriters and voices to ever come out of Australia - there are some beautiful songs here, and this entry has for the first time in a while made me really excited for what other records will appear, both from this band and hopefully other 80s Aussie alternative acts that are some of my all time favourites. Fave track: Bury Me Deep In Love
Calm
Some really interesting songwriting, very much enjoyed this
Easy listening rock album. Well-produced. 3 stars means it is about average. Good voice. If you like gentle rock, it is fine. Not my kind of music, but that does not mean it is bad. Many might like it.
Not for me but I bet Andy scores it higher
Some nice songs, a lot of mediocre filler imo. Would not turn off if played on radio, but neither would I play this myself again.
There is something very compelling about this album. I’m not even sure how to arrange my thoughts on it. I hear a few dashes of The Smiths and Nick Cave in there and a distinct 80’s whiff at times but it is certainly intriguing. I’d never heard The Triffids before so I looked them up and was surprised to see they’re Australian, cool! Oh, they’re also from my home town, cooler! I may have to spend more time with this one. There’s something really special in there.
5/5. A strong and powerful love album, a lost or distant love. There is passion in the voice and although everything is over the top, I feel the emotions coming from a man who has been hurt and damaged. It is essentially pop but they feel like old tales of love on the sea. The title of the album is about a hallucinatory sickness that sailors got from being out on the sea for long periods of time. The music evokes that feeling so well, it's hard to not see the pain and sorrow from the lyrics. I don't even remember most of the album but I remember feeling enraptured, like a siren on the sea, so it gets a 5.
I just couldn't
To the person that got paid off to add this album to the list: You're an asshole. I hope have have an itchy butthole and short arms.
Nice little post punk/pop album. Good for a one time listen if you’re unfamiliar with the group.
One likes quite a bit of this, though it never quite achieves full flight. Slightly overdone, slightly too dramatic. "Bury Me Deep" and "Bad News" are top cuts over a uniformly above average lot. Maybe not quite as good as Go-Betweens, to cite the most obvious comp.
Was going to try to listen to every album on this list but after two songs I realized this one would never ever remotely be something I would listen to. Who made this list? This album is utter shit!
I liked it.
Under pitch
Bland. 1/5 Won't listen again
Aí sim, logo na primeira música já deu pra reviver depois dos álbuns chochos recomendados por essa lista cada vez mais questionável hehe. Temática bastante interesante
Cheesy 80s, good songs in the middle but too long and the impact of songs about loneliness is somewhat tempered when the sax solo kicks in
didn't really listen to it since my mood didn't match
Straight up eighties new wave. Solid album with no real stand out songs but no duds either.