16 Lovers Lane

It's a bit like listening to the Smiths but without having to think about what a piece of shit Morrissey is! I dig it.

I know this record was at one point acclaimed but it just sounds like a less good version of other great things that came out in this style to me.

Pleasant enough pop music, but ultimately relatively boring. There were a couple hints at interesting vocal lines early on. At least I've learned that string arrangements can't save any music for my ears.

If you Google "meh" it starts to play this album.

This album was the perfect accompaniment to walking to work in the April sun. There's something so summery about this album. I think the simplicity and acoustic textures highlight the strength of the songwriting on this record. It just hit so well for me today. I'm going to go ahead and round up that 4.5 this time. Favourite song: The Devil's Eye

"We have The Smiths at home"

The singles "Love Goes On" and "Streets of Your Town" were fantastic, I really enjoyed this, sort of like a proto-Australian The Cure.

Really surprised me. Was expecting cheesy 80s pop, but has a sort of smiths like quality.

Fuck yeah BRISBANE. Very tempted to give it a 5 based on that alone but I shall remain impartial. I initially thought it started a bit slow but it actually paces nicely up to a big crescendo from Streets of Your Town onward. Clouds and Was There Anything I Could Do are both very very strong songs. Can hear heeaaapps of Rolling Blackouts coming out of this. I've always loved listening to Streets and imagining it was written only with Brisbane in mind (which I doubt it was, but still nice to think about). Anyway FIVE STARS.

The songwriting duo of Forster and McLennan is at its best on this record. Half the tracks are upbeat, romantic and optimistic, and the other are sad and heartbreaking. The driving melodies and guitar work is some of the best I've heard, rivalling some of my favourite Smiths records. Fav Tracks: Love Goes On, Was There Anything I Could Do and Dive For Your Memory

I had a great time listening to this album! Very chill but engaging at the same time. I had never heard of the Go-Betweens and did not recognize any of the songs on here, but after giving this one a go, I feel they are a very strong indie pop-rock band. There has been a couple times already going through this list where this genre and decade did not mesh well and caused the record to feel dated; however, I REALLY enjoyed the production on this album as every single instrument and vocal line was crystal clear. This was well needed given the band's acoustic elements they incorporated in every song. It really made me appreciate the finer details that the band put into their tracks and was probably the strongest part of the album overall. Love Goes On! is a great opener and probably my favorite song throughout the short track listing. I did like every track on this one, but they did start to blend together a bit towards the end (this issue might improve or worsen upon further listens). Besides that, I thought this was a great album and would throw this one on again. 3.5/5 (but close to a 4!).

16 Lovers Lane is actually a crack den I used to frequent. Shit and blood up the walls and junkies everywhere. I was out of my mind for 2 years. Evil, evil stuff. Very few made it out alive.

Never heard of this before. Intrigued after reading the Wikipedia entry. Ok only

This was really good. I love Aussie rock.

Don't really have a lot to say about this one. It's very alright I guess.

‘Streets of Your Town’ is such a great song, so the rest of the record is disappointing by comparison. Quite dull overall.

Wet Wet Wet, but wetter. struggled to keep awake for this prosaic dirge.

This album is sooo strong. The Go-Betweens mase such gorgeous music. Tasteful, tuneful, bright. Music you just want to sing along with. The best album from a band that released nothing but great albums. An easy 5 🌟 rating

They sounded alot like The Smiths

Went into 16 Lovers Lane with absolutely no idea what was in store. I assumed it was going to be quite poppy but was pleasantly surprised to discover it was a jangle pop album, I always got time for good jangle pop and this was really good. There are moments where they sound a bit like U2 and there were other times that had me thinking they sounded like a more lively Smiths. A really enjoyable, easy and wonderful surprise this album was, beautifully crafted and excellent layers of music with smart tight songwriting. Great stuff 4 stars

Not many Australian bands on this list, especially not alternative leaning bands. I really liked this album when it came out, and still play it pretty regularly. The songwriting and playing is unadorned, pretty and straightforward. It has a real Sydney summertime vibe, which I appreciate (being a resident of Sydney). The singles (Streets of Your Town, Was There Anything I Could Do? Love Goes On) are all wonderful, and Streets of Your Town is a dead-set classic song. But even the non-singles are pretty strong. Nice tunes, well played, pleasant, hummable. It's a pop album, and a really good one. A pop album that doesn't make you feel stupid for listening to it. Do I have quibbles? yeah, a few. It is a little over-produced (in the style of the time), the singing can be a little ropey, Robert Forster's harmonica playing shouldn't be permitted in polite company, and (most importantly) the contributions of Lindy Morrison and Amanda Brown are cruelly sidelined. I mean, drums machines? Really? And a lot of Amanda's playing is very low in the mix. The way these women were pushed aside by Forster and McClennan still rankles. I've owned this album for 30 years, and I still spin it regularly. That's the sign of a classic album. One star off for treating Amanda and Lindy so shabbily.

Quite pleasant for work background music.

Very easy listening and I would totally listen to this again. Super fun listening to it while I deliver groceries around my home town. I could see myself falling in love with this album given another couple listens through

Muy the smiths. Está ok

Found this largely underwhelming.

Nice strings in opening tracks. Some U2 vibes from Quiet Heart. Finding this album kinda boring. A reviewer compared it to the Smiths, which I had a hard time putting my finger on. It's like a proto-version of other bands I like, like the Shins. 1*, such a drag of an album.

I don’t really have anything great to say about this record to be honest, it’s just a bland generic love album with barely any passion to it. For something that’s about such an emotionally hard topic you can barely hear any heartbreak or care in the vocalists voice at all, it just seems so strange as he has such little presence on the microphone that what he says really means nothing when you can’t feel what he’s feeling through his words. The only exception to this is ‘Was There Anything I Could Do?’ which I found to be a good indie hit with a great chorus, it’s just a shame that the rest of this album falls short. Also, I find most of these instrumentals to be quite confused, I’m not sure if this album wants to be rock, indie, country or a mix of all 3 at times. It’s not genre defining, it’s genre confused and it really makes the vibe of this album a whole mess. I have to point out the harmonica in the first few songs also as it’s just such a strange instrument to be thrown into here as it doesn’t work at all with some of the rock themes they’re going with. This album was just boring and uninspired, won’t be returning to this one.

Oh dear. I try to be charitable but this is really bereft of all originality and spark. Insipid tame lyrics and wishywashy guitars. It's dreadful. How has this ever made it into the chart? Under what genre?

Fun songs. Cool vibe.

I like this juicy sound very much! Perfect album! 'Love Goes On!' is a masterpiece.

What an great album

"16 Lovers Lane" is the sixth album and the final release from the original version of Australian indie band the Go-Betweens. The album is nicknamed their "Rumours" since their guitarist and vocalist Robert Forster had just broken up with drummer Lindy Morrison, lead singer Grant McLennan had started a relationship with violinist and vocalist Amanda Brown and bassist Robert Vickers left the band to be replaced with John Willsteed. The band had also just moved back to Syndey after five years in London. All these events affected and are part of the lyrics. Commercially, the album hit #81 in the UK and had wide-spread critical acclaim. The album kicks off with "Love Goes On." Acoustic guitar and catchy vocals. Strings and a Spanish-sounding guitar comes in. The song keep building musically. It's about the transitory nature of love. "Quiet Heart" is slower with a clicking beat. McLennan whispering vocals are more emotional. An electric guitar and harmonica are added at the end. I'm really liking the layering of the music here. The pace picks up in the first single "Streets of Your Town." A pop drum beat and some more catchy lyrics in the chorus. Very easy listening and I believe about the town of Brisbane. The culmination of this album just might be "Was There Anyhthing I Could Do?" It begins with a faster strumming guitar similar to the Smiths' "Big Mouth Strikes Again." There's an edge and urgency to McLennan voice. There's a rolling violin and eventually layered guitars. Tremendous. The album ends appropriately with the melancholic "Dive for Your Memory." A love that couldn't be. The lyrics, vocals and music fit perfectly together. There is a lot to like about this album; it well-orchestrated and constructed pop music. Dramatic. Cathartic. Changes pace. The music is expertly layered with the strings, guitars and harmonica. At times, it reminded of a cross between the Smiths and Crowded House. It doesn't sound dated at all and well worth going back to.

Already knew a couple of songs - Streets of Your Town and Was There Anything I Could Do (both brilliant songs) and have always meant to check the album out. They sound a bit like a more acoustic Smiths with Tom Verlaine from Television on vocals. The album is fantastic - not a skippable track on first listen and I think I'll only come to like each one more on future listens. Highly recommended.

The Go-Betweens are high on my list of most underrated artists. To me there are two types of Go-Between discs - very good and great. This is the later. Lyrical, lush, literate pop music. There are very few bands post 1980 that were able to do this and this is one of the best. How is it possible that Streets of Your Town and Quiet Heart were not hits in the US?

I was pretty indifferent to the first seconds of each song but then somehow The Go-Betweens either through repetition or lyricism made me appreciate their sound. I found myself generally liking most of the songs on this album. It's hard to describe the vibe of the album other than with the word melancholy and it kind of pushes you into that mood.

Very nice for indie rock

this album feels like a nice walk on a sunny day

Overall, this was fine - it was kinda like The Smiths except without the shittiness of Morrissey. The album was an enjoyable listen, although it blended together toward the end.

I think one of the greatest single lines of any song is from the chorus of Streets Of Your Town: "Every day I - make my way". It's so simple, yet the ingenuity of the unanticipated inverted rhyme gets me every time. A sure-fire four stars for this legendary band hailing from my home state of Queensland.

🎧Delightful jangle pop album. Really digging this. Closing track Dive for Your Memory might be my favorite.

I was not familiar with this band, but it continues a trend I've noticed where Australia produces a lot of really good bands! This is a very good album.

Very solid record for an Australian band I'd never heard of. I was pleasantly surprised with how enjoyable the whole listening experience was. The vocals and production of the album really just complement each other and the main idea of it being centered around love is quite nice. Best - Love Goes On!, Quiet Heart, The Devil's Eye, Streets Of Your Town, Was There Anything I Could Do?, and Dive For Your Memory No bad songs but Clouds and I'm All Right are lil mid 3.50-3.75/5

One of the better jangle pop albums I've heard. This is mostly held up by the incredible song Streets of Your Town, which could've been played 10 times in a row and I would think it was perhaps a better album.

Surprisingly good and a little bit goth.

This is a great little album, full of strong, accomplished, mature song writing and full of nice melodic, jangly, pop hooks. Yeh, this one is a bit of a sleeper.

Really good

A throughly exceptional slice of lovelorn pop from Down Under. It can't be told that it was a last hurrah from The Go-Betweens, as they sound and carry themselves in peak form with blueprints on how to construct love songs. One of the many textbook examples of all killer, no filler. Favorites: Love Goes On!, Quiet Heart, Love is a Sign, You Can't Say No Forever, Streets of Your Town, Clouds, Dive for Your Memory.

Just on the verge of being 90s rock if that makes sense. Imagine if a band had a second album that blew up in 1991 but this is their first album. Pleasantly surprised!

Very good! 4 / 5 Standouts: Was There Anything I Could Do?, Love Goes On, Quiet Heart, The Devil's Eye, Streets of Your Town.

Nice semi-acoustic rock, gentle and easy to listen to. No standout songs, but it's all pleasant to listen to.

01) Love Goes On - 8,5 02) Quiet Heart - 8,5 03) Love Is a Sign - 7,5 04) You Can't Say No Forever - 7,5 05) The Devil's Eye - 7,5 06) Streets of Your Town - 9,0 07) Clouds - 7,5 08) Was There Anything I Could Do? - 8,0 09) I'm All Right - 7,5 10) Dive for Your Memory - 8,5 TOTAL: 8,00 (80/100) I love it when an album by artist I don't know comes around... And I love it when I like it. Streets of Your Town, Love Goes On, Quiet Heart and Dive For Your Memory are my favourites.

Never heard of this band but I liked the album a lot!

I had never heard of this band before. I liked this album and I will be returning to it.

Pretty enjoyable music, album was all good

I had never heard of this band or album before, but this was quite nice! Twee indie rock that's quite a bit ahead of its time. Good stuff.

Kinda like if you put the Smiths and The Cure in a blender and then drained out the clinical depression and suicidal thoughts. Meaning less melodrama, less introspection, more outward proclamation and positivity in the song writing. Engaging and exciting melodies, tinges of genre blending in order to robustify the overall arch. Good album in the grand scheme, not a tastemakers selection. I also don't think you *need* to listen to this before you die. But it was fun to hear some less fuckin' emo 80s new wave.

They even sound like the go-betweens of 80s to early 90s music

A little bit sappy, but I like it.

Did not hate this, but found it quite unremarkable.

Its like the smiths if they were boring

Quite generic. But hey, it's indie rock. And it's not as synth-infected as other '80s albums. So plus points for that.

was listening along and wondering who this band is that I never heard of. I'm thinking I don't know too many Aussie bands and they're at least as good as Men At Work. Not sure this is enough to float north of a 2 rating. Then Streets of Your Town comes on and it's like: " Hey! I know this song!" Not sure I like it but I know it. "Was There Anything I Could Do?" is quite enjoyable. The violin on that tune is a nice touch. It's pretty cool to have acoustic music where the violin player is playing the violin rather than the fiddle. Unfortunately, the cool violin playing starts and stops here. For the rest of the songs, the violin is relegated to the background and really doesn't need to be there. It's like OK we have a violin player in the studio so I suppose she can play something as long as it's not too interruptive. So if I were a betting man, and I am, I'd bet $2 that the singer / songwriter met a cute, very good violin player and asked her to join (or they formed?) the band, planning to figure out how to work the violin in the music in due course. They figured it out on Was There Anything . . . but did not on the rest of the album.

Entirely forgettable, but fine.

Not great

Just OK

Inoffensive. Not sure why it is 1001 best albums. Ok but MOR background music for me

Boring

Yaaaaawwwwn. NEXT

this is exactly the type of low energy boring ass tripe that was emblematic of the late 80s which bands like nirvana came along and smashed out of existence

Once again, this list grabs a mediocre album by a once-interesting band. The Go-Betweens' Before Hollywood is fantastic. This album - I wish I could say it's forgettable. Unfortunately, its BAD. Bad as in, I'm rethinking my appreciation for Before Hollywood bad. 150 albums in and I've listened to mediocre albums by Metallica, U2, Bruce Springsteen, the Cure, the Black Keys, Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth, Paul Simon, Prince, Miles Davis, and now the Go-Betweens. Given the GREAT music that those acts are responsible for, It's remarkable.

This is 5 stars too

## In-Depth Review of *16 Lovers Lane* by The Go-Betweens *16 Lovers Lane*, released in 1988, stands as the sixth studio album by Australian indie rock band The Go-Betweens. It is widely regarded as their magnum opus, a bittersweet swan song for the original lineup before their split. The album is celebrated for its lyrical depth, melodic sophistication, and the emotional resonance that permeates its music and production. Below is a comprehensive review focusing on lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, followed by a balanced assessment of its strengths and weaknesses. --- ## Lyrics **Emotional Duality and Intimacy** The lyrics of *16 Lovers Lane* are a masterclass in emotional storytelling, shaped by the contrasting songwriting sensibilities of Robert Forster and Grant McLennan. The album’s emotional core is rooted in the real-life romantic entanglements within the band: Forster’s breakup with drummer Lindy Morrison and McLennan’s burgeoning relationship with violinist Amanda Brown. This duality—heartbreak and new love—infuses the album with a paradoxical tension, making the lyrics both deeply personal and universally relatable[1][2]. - **Forster’s Perspective:** Forster’s contributions are often more morose and introspective, reflecting the pain of lost love. In “Love Goes On!”, he laments sleepless nights and the inescapable ache of heartbreak: > “Late at night with the lights down low / The candle burns to the end / I know a thing about darkness / Darkness ain't my friend / Love goes on anyway!”[1] - **McLennan’s Perspective:** McLennan, in contrast, explores the anxieties and exhilarations of new love. “Love Is a Sign” and “The Devil’s Eye” capture the yearning and insecurity of early romance, eschewing saccharine declarations for nuanced emotional honesty[1]. - **Universal Resonance:** The lyrics are never overwrought; instead, they invite self-interpretation, allowing listeners to project their own experiences onto the songs. This subtlety is a hallmark of The Go-Betweens’ songwriting, elevating the album above typical love song fare[1][4]. --- ## Music **Jangle Pop Perfection and Melodic Craft** Musically, *16 Lovers Lane* is a high-water mark for jangle pop, blending acoustic warmth with melodic clarity. The addition of John Willsteed on bass and guitar, and Amanda Brown’s oboe and violin, expanded the band’s sonic palette, resulting in their most lush and accessible sound[2][3]. - **Instrumentation:** The album is characterized by shimmering acoustic guitars, melodic basslines, and tasteful string arrangements. Amanda Brown’s contributions on oboe and violin add a layer of sophistication and emotional color, particularly on tracks like “Clouds” and “Love Is a Sign”[3]. - **Songwriting Cohesion:** Unlike previous albums, where Forster and McLennan’s distinct styles sometimes clashed, *16 Lovers Lane* achieves a rare cohesiveness. The songs flow seamlessly, with each track complementing the next, creating a unified listening experience[4]. - **Standout Tracks:** - “Streets of Your Town” is perhaps the band’s most enduring single, marrying sunny melodies with dark lyrical undercurrents. - “Was There Anything I Could Do?” is punchy and urgent, showcasing McLennan’s knack for catchy, emotionally charged pop. - “Quiet Heart” and “Dive for Your Memory” are poignant ballads that close the album with a sense of wistful resignation[3]. --- ## Production **Ornate Yet Accessible** Produced by Mark Wallis, the album’s production is notably more polished and ornate than the band’s earlier work. Wallis worked from acoustic demos, broadening the arrangements while maintaining the intimacy of the songwriting[2][3]. - **Slicker Sound:** The production is clean and radio-friendly, with layered guitars, subtle synths, and lush string sections. This approach makes the album more accessible but, at times, risks smoothing over the band’s rawer edges[4]. - **Balance of Restraint and Embellishment:** While some critics have noted moments of over-embellishment, the overall effect is one of warmth and clarity, allowing the emotional nuances of the songs to shine through[2]. --- ## Themes **Love, Loss, and the Passage of Time** Thematically, *16 Lovers Lane* is a meditation on love in all its forms—romantic, lost, and unrequited. The album explores the spectrum of human relationships, from the pain of separation to the hopefulness of new beginnings[1][2]. - **Heartbreak and Healing:** Songs like “Love Goes On!” and “Quiet Heart” delve into the lingering pain of lost love, while “Love Is a Sign” and “The Devil’s Eye” capture the vulnerability and excitement of falling in love[1]. - **Nostalgia and Memory:** The album is suffused with a sense of nostalgia, as the band reflects on their own relationships and the passage of time. The closing track, “Dive for Your Memory,” is a poignant farewell, both to a lover and to a chapter in the band’s history[3][4]. --- ## Influence **Legacy and Enduring Impact** *16 Lovers Lane* is widely regarded as one of the greatest Australian albums of all time. It has been included in *1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die* and ranked highly in various “best of” lists, including *Rolling Stone Australia*’s “200 Greatest Australian Albums of All Time”[2]. - **Critical Acclaim:** The album was praised upon release for its melodic strength and emotional depth. Critics lauded its directness, accessibility, and heartfelt songwriting[2][3]. - **Influence on Indie Pop:** The album’s blend of jangly guitars, literate lyrics, and melodic sophistication has influenced countless indie and alternative bands, both in Australia and internationally. Its emotional honesty and musical craftsmanship set a benchmark for the genre[3]. --- ## Pros and Cons | Pros | Cons | |------|------| | Lyrically rich and emotionally resonant; explores love and loss with nuance and honesty[1][2] | Some may find the production too polished, losing the rawness of earlier albums[2][4] | | Cohesive songwriting; Forster and McLennan’s styles blend seamlessly for the first time[4] | Occasional moments of over-embellishment in the arrangements[2] | | Melodic and accessible; features some of the band’s strongest hooks and choruses[3] | The slicker sound may alienate fans of the band’s earlier, rougher work[4] | | Sophisticated instrumentation; Amanda Brown’s strings and oboe add depth[3] | The album’s focus on love and relationships may seem narrow to some listeners | | Enduring influence; recognized as a classic in Australian and indie pop music[2][3] | The emotional tone is consistently bittersweet, which may not appeal to all moods | --- ## Conclusion *16 Lovers Lane* is a landmark album that captures The Go-Betweens at the peak of their creative powers. Its lyrical depth, melodic beauty, and emotional honesty make it a timeless exploration of love’s complexities. The album’s polished production and cohesive songwriting set it apart from the band’s earlier work, while its influence continues to resonate in the world of indie pop. Despite minor criticisms regarding its slickness, *16 Lovers Lane* remains a masterful, bittersweet farewell from one of Australia’s most beloved bands—a record that rewards repeated listening and introspection.

Pop masterpiece, the good face of the 1980s. "Streets of your town" five stars only for this song.

Yet another great post-punk-ish record, what else is there to say?

Been listening to this on repeat for days. I really like it. Some Smiths, some Cure. Easy ancestry lines to bands like Beach Fossils. I'm kinda frustrated I have to put anything else on TBH. I don't want to leave this album haha.

maybe the most crushingly sad atmosphere on an album thats also perfectly capable of washing over u pleasantly. feel like every time i caught the lyrics they made the world feel a lil colder. i dont even wanna say its unproductive,,,the sentiments themselves are, but lots changes inbetween the page and the actual final piece of art, theres more to interface with the sentiments thru. the lush and melodic jangle pop on here is both a good compliment and a low-key complication of the utter disillusion with love, other people, and their ability to connect that is strung thruout this. if i ever catch this again in a genuinely sad mood it might just plunge me into the icy water, probably a bad idea but im sure ill still try it. maybe this is what the smiths sound like to the freaks who think the smiths are catchy!

There's more to the 80s than The Cure.

I'm trying to think what I would give this if they weren't a) australian, and b) from my home town. I guess it's a solid indie record that doesn't feel so dated so maybe a 3 or 4. But I gotta bump it up as a matter of pride. Faves: Streets of Your Town, Was There Anything I Could Do?

Wow I’m horny

Comfortable and upbeat at the same time. Favorite song of the album is Love Goes On! for its interesting chord progression.

Rock, alternative rock, indie rock

great Aussie indie music

From no opinion to no skips: I loved this album on my first listen and fall harder with each return.

Sweet but not saccharin, jangly but not too jangly. A little pretentious, but not too wanky. *Very* Antipodean, whatever that means. Sunny and glum in equal measures. Quite a lovely album, I'm grateful to be hearing it for the first time. Hearing the Chills, Don McGlashan etc in this.

Amazing pop record. The 80s sound might sound outdated to some people, but the 80s sound adds so much to me. Everything is so addicting here, the vocals especially. This was a very pleasent suprise! Very cool.

I never really got the go betweens. I know they are an iconic Queensland band but they were always just off my ‘taste’ radar. They’re really good. Great playing and strong songs and they deserved their success but I missed the appeal. 5 because I know too many people who’d give this at least 4.

Nice. I really enjoyed this album. 5/5

PNW, driving a motorcycle, diners, first love,

Ok

Good to be back listening to music, and this was a great re-entrance! It sounded like a lot of stuff I’ve heard already from this list, but upbeat. “I’m All Right” was the standout track for me, but I plan to keep this on my phone.

9/10 - fire

Fantastic album. Along the lines of REM, but in their own way. A strong rhythmic acoustic with electric licks over it, topped with perfect male and female vocals, produced well with each song providing something different.

This was a real positive surprise, great runtime, couple of standout songs that I saved and overall just a very happy, go lucky mood in the songs

Great 80s album

I actually didn't have the time to get to this again, but this is just such a great album to me. It seems to be the phase where they took the post-punk (in very loose terms) thing they had going and put more of a singer-songwriter spin on it. Grant McLennan seemed to write (what should have been) hit after hit with infectious melodies and Robert Forster wrote these slower (but not meandering) songs just so rich with atmosphere. Maybe not my fav of theirs but I love it a lot.

Hard to say but this might be my favourite Go-Betweens album (only know their first six albums). It has no Cattle and Cane, but lots of other really strong songs. I can also strongly recommend Robert Foster's book Grant and I (from 2018 or so).

One of the major 1001 surprises: I love everything about it.

I loved this album! It was like The Smith’s, but without Morrissey, who just ruins everything he touches!

Never heard of this band before but this hit right in the sweet spot of music I love. It hits my indie rock soul hard and I can't wait to listen to more albums from them.

This album has particular resonance for me - both from it being a part of my youth, but also because it captures something about being Australian.