Reviews (page 4 of 8)
3/5
enjoying the chill indie vibe, i agree with people who have said it is smiths-esque. more of a background album but overall enjoyed. fave track - was there anything i could do. 3.5
Nothing bad about this but theres better bands with a similar sound 3/5
Kind of like The Smiths Lite but in a good way. I have never heard of this band before but can see myself checking out some more of their work. Playlist track: Was There Anything I Could Do?
Love Goes On - 4.5/5 Quiet Heart - 3.5/5 Love is a Sign - 2.5/5 You Can't Say No Forever - 2.5/5 The Devil's Eye - 2/5 Streets of Your Town - 3.5/5 Clouds - 3/5 Was There Anything I Could Do? - 4/5 I'm All Right - 3.5/5 Dive for Your Memory - 3/5 I was fearing another bad listen when I saw the combination of Australian jangle pop band, but I was pleasantly surprised that it was a fairly decent listen. Like listening to the Smiths without Morrissey but also somehow blander. It's not offensive or anything, just that I think that there could have been slightly more for me to bump it up another star but the slow songs after the opener nearly killed it for me. Overall: 3/5 Favorites: Love Goes On, Was There Anything I Could Do?
I kinda liked this.
jadore
very mellow classic pop it’s aight
*Very pleasant. Pop sensibilities. I've heard them many times but not a whole album. Deserves a deeper listen from me to pick up more in the lyrics. 3.5/5 right now for me
I like to make a Joke about how big established, nostalgia-based fast food companies like McDonald's should change their slogan to: McDonald's It's Food! That is exactly what the Go-Betweens feel like. The Go-Betweens It's Music! Everything is fine about them musically & lyrically, it just seems forgettable, disposable & just kinda THERE. I liked it & I wouldn't hate if you put on but... It's music! 3
Streets of your town instantly recognisable. Rest if album passed me by without much impression
This was another album that I wasn't expecting much from, and that I was pleasantly surprised from. It was perfect for the mood I found myself in this morning, that being exhausted. I'm sure it has a lot to offer for those active listening, but I was just enjoying the sound of the album. Favorites: Love Goes On!, Streets of Your Town, I'm All Right
Was unfamiliar but really liked my first listen, will return.
It’s ok.
I wanted to enjoy this more. The instrumentation is too boring for the lyrics to be this inane.
I knew nothing about this band, but I still didn't use a private session for Spotify. It was surprisingly good, it was very 80's, like I could hear a lot of the songs as background in a Jon Hough's flick. I don't mean that as an insult.
Solid album, but nothing that stood out to me
3.5
Interesting to hear an album that hints at both the janglier end of indie music and the emotional aspirations of bands like U2 while ultimately sounding like neither and playing like a full pop album. You feel like you could hear an album a lot like this coming out today.
Pure 80s college rock. Similar t Lets Active
It's alright, but others did it better. 3.
pretty good, nothing special
Aggressively meh
A decent selection of singer-songwriter style melodies. Plesant enough to enjoy.
Enjoyed it, bit bloated as an album but good songs like streets of your town and love goes on
This was fine. Just incredibly, incredibly mid.
Not bad
Pleasant but unoriginal
I found the album to be a bit generic and there was really nothing here that stood out to me to warrant a repeat listen.
I found this album perfectly pleasant, at times they reminded me of The Smiths. I don’t know if the vocals were particularly strong, maybe I need more convincing, but musically, I found this interesting and would happily return.
This is half decent. I like the genre, kind of nostalgic, kind of ... still current. I suppose my only criticism is an old one: I think in smaller than full album doses I would like them better in a way. It is not that it is too redundant, which is a real issue with some bands, even good ones (!). I suppose it is just a better "playlist" band than a whole album at a time type. This concept is easy to understand when you are listening and less so when you are reading someones critique. So I suppose just give it a listen and see if that is what you also get, or not.
5.5/10
another pleasant album which does sound a bit dated, like the smiths, some U2 in one song and even some josh rouse in another song (josh rouse is so much better than that song). but it’s a solid album. 3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
fun ! I suppose ! forgettable. ? three!
Pretty sounding jangly indie pop from Australia. Sounds like the smiths accompanying the bastard child of Lou Reed and Bernard Sumner. Hardly a classic album but a very familiar sound to those of us of a certain generation. Prefab Sprout did it infinitely better…..
Good album
Jolly in parts
Like a cross between the smiths and inxs
Nice 80s sound. New wave elements...very poppy...clean and well produced. Nothing too memorable but not a bad listen
On paper this should be right up my alley - a bit of The Smiths here, a bit of Frightened Rabbit there but I found it somewhat underwhelming. To be fair it sounded better on the headphones. I was almost willing myself to like it more than I did. His voice is the weak point. And they needed to go either more jangly or more beefy on the production which was a bit wishy-washy. 3.5 rounding down
Very 90s acoustic pop songs. Every song flows into the next seamlessly. Sounds a bit dated but I enjoyed it. 3.0/5.0
Ok
Some interesting songs, overall quite a generic sound. Fave Tracks: Love Goes On, Streets of Your Town, I'm All Right, Dive for Your Money 3.2/5
A solid indie-rock album with everything I expect from the genre. From the soft singing to the guitar picking. Another album that isn't bad but doesn't do much for me either.
It's okay. Love Goes On! and Was There Anything I Could Do? were my favorites. The rest was pretty meh but it was not annoying enough for me to rate it a 2.
This album sits right on the cusp of the alternative revolution, in the college rock days. I dig the effortless acoustic nature of it. It reminds me of the Cowboy Junkies and R.E.M. in their more acoustic moments. I’m not quite sure it’s special enough to come back to often but if I found a vinyl or CD copy of it in a used bin, I wouldn’t pass it up.
Enjoyed this a lot! I like his vocals and all their different instrumentation. I’m at a 3.5, might be a 4 with more listens.
It was a pleasant listen but nothing more
Started strongly, but finished weakly
Perfectly cromulent 80s rock. Fine but doesn't stand out. Textbook example of a 3/5 album on this list.
It's hard to judge - in one hand they are so meh that they fall perfectly between a 0 and a 5. In the other hand they are The Go-betweens and they went between, so they fulfilled their purpose and that would be a 5 stars. But if they get 5 stars they won't be in between and therefore will get a 2.5 score ... My head hurts
Few songs I really enjoyed. A bit boring at times. Not sure I’d relisten to full thing again
This would be my first introduction to the Go-betweens and I enjoyed them. Formed nearly 50 years ago, the music sounds relevant still. This sounds like new wave albeit a little more commercial. Their names is lifted from an eponymous novel and it shows as their lyrics read like literature. Solid music though a bit forgettable. Three stars on the precipice of a fourth.
Not really that interesting. Has some good sounds and was listenable but not much else.
I enjoyed this album listen! This album didn’t blow me away but it was a solid indie rock album from The Go-Betweens! I had fun listening to this album and I would check it out again in the future!
Not bad really. I wouldn’t add it to my play lists but the melodies were solid, and the lyrics actually intelligible. All around a positive upbeat album.
Nice enough jangly pop rock. Bit U2
Un autre album très ordinaire dans le sens de « peu original », « peu savoureux ». Pas mauvais, mais sans réel intérêt.
Sounds very current. Indie bands wished they could write like that today
Actually not that bad! Kinda nondescript but very chill music, good production and pleasant voices!
started out pretty well, but honestly started getting a little tedious. It's pleasant enough, but it's very beige and same-y. 2.5 stars.
I’m not sure this is the right soundtrack for what the three on the cover were looking to get up to.
This is really nice. 80s aren't usually my forte, but this record is a good vibe and easy to listen to. Classic 80s vocal harmonies with some smooth-strumming guitars complementing each track. Very easy, chill experience.
I'd never heard of this one. I did enjoy it although the chances are slim that I'll ever hear it again.
Perfectly nice pop album, but not essential if you're not Australian
It was good, not familiar with this group and it's music, will listen to it from time to time. The alternative rock nature makes it enjoyable.
Overall: 5/10 One of the most "meh" albums I've heard in my entire life. I feel like I could listen to it 1001 times and I still wouldn't remember a single song or note from this thing. I almost wish it was a actually bad cause then I'd have something more interesting to say about it. Fav Song: The Devil's Eye
The jangliness here is especially easy for me to digest. However, I'm not sure this album will ever rise much higher in my estimations; the maaaaajor lack of diversity and dynamism holds me back from enjoying it as much as I want to. 3.5/5
I was surprised that I never heard of this group, as I was into this vibe back when the album was released. In the end it started to sound like it was a generic form of the music from this time.
Seems like this one would take more than one listen to glean all of its intricacies. But the production and narrow melodies are conspiring to keep me at bay. I didn't hate it, but it seemed very one-note.
really enjoyed this! feels like a precursor to the good stuff
Meh
Never heard of them. Kind of a niche pop sound to me.
Average blend of the 80s 90s and 60s sounds. A little bit of a bring me down album
I don't if it's just me, but I don't hear the Smiths influence, still it's boring. 3/5
Suht OK kuulamine, enamjaolt sujus neutraalselt ja mõni üksik lugu jäi kõrva ka. Aga pigem selline plaat, mida uuesti ei kuulaks.
At first I was worried this would end up being generic 80s indie/alt-rock (a common theme on this list) but the introduction of strings and varied instrumentation here and there was nice. I mean, it IS generic in that way, but in an inoffensive way. The lead is one of many trying to do the Depeche Mode/Morrisey thing which works well enough, but it's weird hearing it in an Aussie accent (which I say as somebody also down under). fav tracks: Streets of your Town
I was vibing to it
Not bad but not my fav
I really dig the singing
Fine but forgettable.
This was a fine and pleasant listen. But like 30+ years ago I most likely won’t return for another listen, and instead continue to focus on much better Aussie bands like The Church and The Hoodoo Gurus.
Was I supposed to know one of these songs? I didn’t feel anything about this really, one way or the other. So…3? 3.
Nice listen. I feel like it sounded like different artists at different moments. Some bob Dylan, maybe a lil U2. Totally fine album but I’m not sure it’s that memorable. Probably worth another listen but not sure if I’ll give it another spin. 2.75
This album goes into the category of totally fine but forget about immediately. Nothing really stands out good or bad. Just right down the fairway pretty enjoyable stuff hit probably not going to revisit. 2.75/5
- There are actually a few really good songs on this record. Pretty good, worth hearing. -
I liked it but I kinda forgot what it sounded like
This is a five star three star album.
This album should have been used for various 1980s Rom Com flicks. It's better as background music. Favorite Track: "You Can't Say No Forever".
redelijk standaard, 1 hitje
A bunch of vaguely Irish sounding love songs.
very late 80s radio friendly guitar pop. in a good way.
Unmemorable but I didn't mind listening to it
My only experience with this band has been their song [b]Streets of Your Town[/b], which was featured on the Triple J Hottest 100 of Australian Songs list. It also stands as the most memorable song on the album. It's pretty generic 80s jangle pop - just with Australian vocals.
Never heard of, but right away enjoyed the opening track. Reading about the album’s song writing process was interesting as well as the lyrics, many of which I imagine were inspired by romantic relationships that were going on within the band.
interessante
This was fine, nothing really stood out.
This was a fun album. "Love Goes On!" Is the standout track. The backing vocals do a great job too. It is upbeat and a good time, but not super technical. Actual rating...3.5. Liked Songs: "Love Goes On!" , "Quiet Heart" , "You Can't Say No Forever" , "The Devil's Eye" , "Was There Anything I Could Do?" , "I'm Alright"
Good 3.5
I have had so many of these middle-of-the-road nameless bands recently. It is fine, it sounds like a watered down version of Echo and the Bunnymen. Actually, every song just sounds like a slowed down version of Big Mouth Strikes Again, but without the catchy melody. This album is fine, and a couple of songs stood out, but I did not need to listen to this before I died. High 3.
boring brit pop correction: aussie pop
This was ok! Sounds similar to many things we’ve listened to, namely The Smiths but better because of the fiddle and violin. I actually looked that up and it’s a woman named Amanda Brown on the strings. She’s five stars for me, but the rest is a three. I did like and save the song Clouds… which reminds me there’s some really nice guitar on this album too, but the songs as a whole are just kind of “mid” to be gen z about it.
This was pleasant but a little forgettable. I did like Streets of your Town quite a bit.
Good voice. 2,9
I liked it, but nothing stood out to me on the record.
Not a lot of use of the drums. Like sounds like three different acoustic guitars. The theme is always love. It’s all little adult, contemporary and boring to be honest. Lots of potential so I’m sorry to say I didn’t care for it very much. It’s good but not my taste.
Inoffensive though a bit dull.
A nice album. The musical similarity to The Smiths and Morrissey is unmistakable. Nevertheless, there wasn't a single track that stuck in my memory. 3/5
Surprisingly better/slightly derivative jangle pop
Pleasant enough but nothing really stands out
A middle of the road album. Not a bad listen but nothing that stands out
big ole meh....
Super
3.5
It was nice, not a go to sound for me. I really didn't find it interesting at all, but pleasant enough to probably have on in the background. 7.3 ★★★½
3.5
I liked it. Not my fav style of music tho. Gives the cure vibes.
Good, but certainly not their best. Love Goes on and Dive for Your Memory and good, Streets of your Town a GOAT.
Quite enjoyed this
Pleasant enough in places and largely inoffensive. As a result it was also pretty bland and overall nothing much to set the pulse racing.
A cross between U2 and Crowded House with the inevitable middle of the road result. Was there anything I could do partially saves the album.
I know Australia pre-90s struggled to make much a dent on the global musical stage, but seriously Brisbane, you named a bridge after these guys?! I can only feel that’s akin to Liverpool naming a bridge after Cast or Space. Anyway, it’s perfectly listenable but struggles to really get the pulse racing. Tbh I assumed I was listening to a Scottish band from the same era until I googled them such is the similarity to other MOR stuff from the time.
Yes, this is similar to The Smiths, but that does not mean it can’t also be good. The arrangements here are good and I like the use of background vocals during some songs. The violin in Was There Anything I Could Do? was a nice touch. Favorite songs were Quiet Heart, Streets Of Your Town, and Was There Anything I Could Do?
Most of the songs sound the same, but there’s just enough variation to keep things interesting. Wouldn’t revisit, but didn’t hate it.
Instrumental: 4/5, voix: 2/5. Donc 3/5
This didn't start off very strong in my opinion. Felt like they were hell bent on trying to make everything rhyme, using convoluted phrases and wordings that made little sense. Then it somehow recovered itself a bit in the end. Though no particular song stuck to me, it sounded like a better version of R.E.M at times. Overall a bit of a roller coaster. Nothing particularly memorable, but not that bad either, especially considering the album name is cheese deluxe.
Sounded like The Smiths. Kind of uninspired but I do not like The Smiths either so can't tell if this is better or worse. Didn't hate it but not really my jam. Weak 3.
It was a fine album. Understandable why I’ve never heard of them though.
Reminds me of a jam band version of Television, The Smiths and the likes… It’s actually okay, but it doesn’t really hit me the way those other band have done Favourite track: Was there anything I could do?
This was fine. My review didn't save but I thought the instrumentation was cool but everything was just a little overdone.
I forgot about this album as soon as I finished listening to it. Utterly unremarkable in its mediocrity I guess, which feels like the most mid review.
listen to later
Bang on average, nothing really stood out but didn’t turn it off.
Fairly unremarkable, but I wasn’t really paying attention. 5/10 9/09/25
This is like if the Smiths were Australian and a little more upbeat.
Easy listening. Not monumental.
Fav: Streets Of Your Town Least Fav: Clouds The definition of ok, harmless and sometimes catchy but it’s lacking inspiration
Non male, mi è piaciuto
It was a little mediocre, but pleasant.
solid 3
Never heard of this group. Easy to listen to, but not much leaps out at me. I like Love Is A Sign and I really like Streets of Your Town. Solid album.
Enjoyed this, good Aussie vibe, without perhaps setting the whole world alight.
Smithsy, but more boring.
This was fine. Seemed like basic rock though.
Ok
Bon esprit, plaisant mais fait trop pensé à de la musique pour des épisodes de séries TV de grandes audiences.
Standard new wave, but lucky for them I like new wave
A very nice and easy listen without being too blend. I totally agree with many of the other reviews - very "The Smiths"-ish. favourite: "Streets Of Your Town", "Was There Anything I Could Do", "Love Goes On" 3,5
I’m one of the few people who don’t think the Smiths walk on water. And it’s not just because of Morrissey. This band feels like the lesser-known, Australian version of the Smiths. It was pretty good - not much Australian representation on the list, so I will give it: 3⭐️
Easy to listen to album from an 80's Aussie pop band. Remembered the single Streets Of Your Your Town and while I wouldn't go out and buy the album it is worth a listen.
Bof, pas l'album de l'année, rien de transcendant.
está okay, me agradó pero no me gustó tanto, 7/10. Lo escucharía manejando maybe idk, me recuerda a los Smiths si se reprodujeran con La cura pero más problemas maritales y chillax
82/1001. Now I know where to turn to if I need slightly more obscure than average love songs, which sounds like a criticism, which is not true (necessarily). Looking from the bottom of the lake, the light still reaches this album, but it is a shitty place to listen to music.
Sort of a low-key, melancholy U2. I wouldn't call it bad, but there isn't much here to get excited about. Best track: The one where the girl is singing.
It was interesting and had some new vibes that I had not encountered before. Reminded me at times of Joy Division with a bit more pop attached. Fun but not a repeat listen.
Enjoyed this one, didn’t know anything by the band prior to listening
Very pleasant! But, not all that memorable.
Enjoyed once, won’t feel need to revisit
It took me a couple of listens to realize it, but this is definitely a cut above standard 80s pop. The catchy music did more for me than the lyrics. Love is a Sign actually sounds like falling in love with those harmonica and guitar lines, and the instrumental breakdown at the end of You Can’t Say No Forever had me bobbing my head along. The best vocal melody is on Streets of Your Town, with that “round and round, up and down” refrain. Quite good. Overall, this is a solid album that I’m glad I listened to. But it also made me realize how good U2 was compared to the rest of the 80s.
This one was cute. Some light 80s. Felt like a lot of them could be on a movie soundtrack. 3.5 stars
This one was nice enough, but it didn’t really stick with me. There are a few catchy tunes and some pleasant guitar work, but nothing grabbed my attention for long. The album has an easy, mellow feel, good for background listening or a slow afternoon. It never goes off the rails or tries anything risky, which makes it inoffensive but also a little forgettable. If you like gentle indie pop, you might get more out of it, but for me it was just alright.
Een vergeetbaar album, maar het was geen straf om hier een keer doorheen te moeten gaan. Een wat melancholisch geluid. In het begin dacht ik dat het een beetje de U2 kant in ging, maar dat was toch niet helemaal zo. Jaren '80 maar niet per se lelijk 80's. Ik kan even niet goed opnoemen op welke andere bands dit een beetje lijkt, terwijl het geluid toch niet super uniek is. Hoort het thuis in deze lijst? Nee, op geen enkele manier. Heb ik deze liever dan een groot aantal andere albums in deze lijst? Toch wel. Een relatief kort album zonder grote ongemakken. Dit is een aardige 3.
Not bad jangle-pop but nothing stood out for me. I wouldn't turn it off but I probably won't go out of my way to play it again, either.
Very Smiths-esque, couldn’t believe they were Australian. A little boring tbh
not bad. easy listen. one obvious stand out track
nothing to write home about, 5/10
Very innocuous pop music.
I dug it
Pleasant.
Very nice indeed, rather enjoyed this one to be fair! Will probably purchase it for further investigation! Excellent indie pop rock music!
Straight mid. Kind of reminded me of the Smiths, although this singer was better than Morrissey to me.
It's a very chill alternative rock album from Australia, very laid back vibes, feels very nostalgic. Honestly it's a pretty harmless album, an easy listen but not much remarkable besides a couple of tracks. The singing is pretty good, some parts could improve but it fits the indie vibe they have. The instrumentals are pretty simple, acoustic guitars, soft drums and something else depending on the track. "Streets of your town" is by far the stand-out track, nails the nostalgic but happy vibe, the chorus is pretty catchy and their voices sound excellent together in it.
a cute little surprise if a little boring
Australian music to me is very hit or miss. It feels like they hit trends 10 to 20 years later than the USA. Despite their lateness to the party, they still manage to create something unique. This band, for example, really captures that 80s pop rock feel.
There is much of the Deacon Blues about this. That 80s, acoustic pop, with some male/female harmonies. 'Quiet Heart' and 'I'm All Right' in particular. Whilst the former is a nicely romantic effort, the latter feels like it's injected with a helping of dirge. It never quite takes off, and it doesn't quite have the earworminess of Crowded House to sustain that sluggish pace. 'Streets of Your Town' is another big nod to Deacon and this time they hit pay dirt. A real forgotten gem; pacey, pop brilliance. Initially, I thought this lot a washed out Waterboys. Forster's vocals are a lot weaker than McLennan's. But I decided after a while these are more than bland soft-pop numbers. Whilst they don't always get the bounce of Deacon Blue, the jangle of The Smiths, or the melodic chops of either, it is peppered with some very proficient 80s romantic smalltown pop. And it grew a smidge with each listen. It has attained 'good' status.
I was unfamiliar with The Go-Betweens before listening to this album. Solid musically and vocally, but I just really never got into it.
Enjoyable but not groundbreaking. I could see this gating grating if I hadn't broken the album up across the day
Not bad. I got Echo & the Bunnymen vibes
I struggle to think of much of anything I wanna say about this album. Like... I guess it's kind of Smiths-y? And a Smiths album where I don't hafta listen to Morrisey is just fine by me. And I guess "Was There Anything I Could Do?" is a pretty good, driving indie song. But other than that... But otherwise, the only real thought I had while listening to this thing was, "These songs sound like some of them should've randomly showed up on the soundtrack for an 80's or 80's-styled teen-age high school drama flick that's highly acclaimed for its great taste in music." None of the stuff on this album is bad, I wouldn't say. It's got a good enough sound about it. It's just... So painfully fine for a late 80's New Wave-ish indie rock album. Really, it's the kind of album that makes me wonder what I'm supposed to get out of it — y'know, why is it here, on this list? What makes it so important to the contributors? And if I'm left asking myself **those questions** about an album... Yeaaaah. And I could (and maybe should) look into it, for the sake of this review if nothing else, but frankly, I don't really care enough about this album to really put in much more work than I'm doing right now. So, I'unno. If you like late 80's indie rock... Suuuuuure. And certainly, when it comes to indie-ish albums my group has gotten out of Australia, it's a step and a half above CALENTURE. But otherwise? Eeeehhhh. "Go-Betweens?" More like... "I could Go-Without." Yeah, got'em. I struggle to think of much of anything I wanna say about this album. Like... I guess it's kind of Smiths-y? And a Smiths album where I don't hafta listen to Morrisey is just fine by me. And I guess "Was There Anything I Could Do?" is a pretty good, driving indie song. But other than that... But otherwise, the only real thought I had while listening to this thing was, "These songs sound like some of them should've randomly showed up on the soundtrack for an 80's or 80's-styled teen-age high school drama flick that's highly acclaimed for its great taste in music." None of the stuff on this album is bad, I wouldn't say. It's got a good enough sound about it. It's just... So painfully fine for a late 80's New Wave-ish indie rock album. Really, it's the kind of album that makes me wonder what I'm supposed to get out of it — y'know, why is it here, on this list? What makes it so important to the contributors? And if I'm left asking myself **those questions** about an album... Yeaaaah. And I could (and maybe should) look into it, for the sake of this review if nothing else, but frankly, I don't really care enough about this album to really put in much more work than I'm doing right now. So, I'unno. If you like late 80's indie rock... Suuuuuure. And certainly, when it comes to indie-ish albums my group has gotten out of Australia, it's a step and a half above CALENTURE. But otherwise? Eeeehhhh. "Go-Betweens?" More like... "I could Go-Without." Yeah, got'em.
I’m at a 3.5 that I’ll bump down to a 3. This is a fine album; it’s a look into 10 of the houses that exist on this hypothetical road known as 16 Lovers Lane. A lot of these guys don’t seem to be in love though, as plenty of tracks here deal with breakups, manipulation, some vague sense of peer pressure… honestly, it feels like only 2 or 3 houses here actually have proper lovers. Bit of irony, then. It’s a good concept for an album, and I wish they stretched it out to really explore this hypothetical street more, and properly dig into a day in this single neighborhood. As it stands, it’s 10 tracks of varying quality that range from “very good” to “fine, but it didn’t click for me”, and that’s mainly why I’m bumping this down to a 3. There’s always something with a lot of these tracks – there’s ambiguous meanings to the lyrics, some abstract vocal structures, moments where the song doesn’t feel like it’s progressed from an instrumental standpoint, or just longer intros and outros that feel like they’re padding for time on an already somewhat short album. Having one of these doesn’t sink a track, nor does it ever really sink the album that badly, but they’re consistently present, and that builds up over time to make the full 37 minutes feel not only longer than it is, but less fulfilling. It just doesn’t feel like the album has a proper track to track progression, due to so many tracks sharing a similar tone or subject matter. Of course, I’m emphasizing the negatives, but this is never a bad album. It’s the type of album where, despite its flaws, I genuinely considered giving it a 4 because it’s still got a nice charm to it, and for as consistently present as my “somethings” are, they don’t last THAT long in each track. They’re there long enough to be noticeable, but sometimes, I was still enjoying it regardless. There are great instrumental moments here, some fun vocals that feel like a guilt-free Morrissey, and some lyrics that are genuinely really touching, like on “Streets of Your Town” or “Dive for Your Memory”, which might be my favorite song on the album. In a way, I’m bumping this down to a 3 because a number of tracks & styles just didn’t click for my tastes. If someone wants to give this a 4 or a 5, I wouldn’t blame them, because I can hear it. It just didn’t fully work for me.
QUEENSLANDERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR As much as it kills me to give a mid rating to a Brisbane band, unfortunately I must. This really just feels like generic acoustic radio hits that was shaped clearly around the hit single of "Streets of Your Town" (verified Aussie classic banger). As good as SOYT is, it won't save the rest of the album which just sounds like filler. Nothing really interesting of note happens in anything but SOYT. It's tolerable, and it fucking kills me to agree that this sounds like a radio-friendly Aussie version of The Smiths, as true as it is.
Music for mid fifties ALP members to listen to while they reminisce (masturbate while thinking about) protesting Joh Bjelke-Peterson(PBUH). No one outside of that demographic would know who this band is if they didn’t randomly have an extremely expensive toll bridge named after them. Mid in the truest sense as totally average.
Australian Alt Rock has an incredibly wealthy and storied history of melancholy. Sometimes referred to as "drone" after the most notable band in the broader movement. Although I would have preferred this to be a Drones or Midnight Oil album its still nice to see some representation albeit pretty mediocre . If you even enjoyed this slightly I would encourage you to go listen to "Havilah" by the Drones which is important to Australian music culture but unappreciated even by Australians. 5/10
I liked some of the lyrics but overall not my style of music. I do like the album to have it as background music like as I do homework and stuff though 💕
Rv
Nice album that was a pleasant listen. No standouts or anything especially memorable but I like it.
Pleasant enough. Not as dated as I was anticipating and the melodies, production, and performance are nice. Not exciting, but nice. I agree with the streaming data: “Love Goes On!” and “Streets of Your Town” are the clear highlights.
decent album. in some respects, it reminds me of other 80s college rock staples like the smiths or the replacements, but feels like ultimately it is rather toothless in comparison. there's nothing bad here - at worst, just dull - but i think some of their contemporaries are more thrilling to listen to. still, it's a pleasant listen and there are most certainly some highlights here.
This feels like the Good Charlotte or We The Kings to Fall Out Boy and Paramore, where The Go Betweens is a fine but notably worse version of the Cure or the Smiths. I think it was good, I like the line I love you so much I think I’m gonna bust, everything on here was very “yeah”. Pristine “this is fine” music.
First track was really good (even the lyric about busting) and I was excited for this album, then we got a U2 song, and then a couple Smith songs and a couple REM songs. While the songs were pretty good, I felt like I wasn't getting much that I couldn't get from a band that I like more. I saw some critics saying the two main songwriters in this band were the next McCartney-Lennon. Nope! I'm feeling a 3/5 on this. I did save the first track, that was my favorite.
Never heard it before but I enjoyed it.
I liked it. Kinda sounded like The Smiths at times, bit a bit Australian. Would listen again
Wasn’t too excited about this. There were a couple bright spots, but ultimately not as memorable as I believe it could have been. 3/5
Dad- 5 Mom- 6 Mike- NA Lori- 5 Michael- 5 Miles- 4 Cole- 5 Avg- 5
Perfectly serviceable, completely unmemorable pop music.
Didn't finish this one. Wasn't terrible but wasn't incredibly intriguing either. Giving it a 3 for now, subject to change. I have Sinatra, Nirvana and Zeppelin that I need to listen to..... sorry Go-Betweens.
First half I liked. Second half I didn’t like. I really liked the song “Cattle and Cane,” but that is from a different album and only played because of Spotify autoplay. It’s a banger. To anyone in this crew that reads this review, check it out. No joke. ☮️
A perfectly fine album for the 90s Seattle coffeehouse in your heart
cute but forgettable
Bit Smiths, bit Fleetwood. Would not recommend for a sleepy commute, but that’s on me.
Coupla bops on here but mostly skippable. Did not care for “late at night when I want you I lock you in my room”…
This album has some good songs and melodies but the arrangements are so drably dated that it really dulled the effect it had on me. I’ve learned through listening to all these albums that while the 80’s sound and style helped cement the legacy of certain bands, it brutally shortened other artists’ shelf life.
I liked Streets of Your Town. Everything else was meh.
U2 lite
Somewhat pleasant
vaikkakin lähentelee sitä tyypillistä länsimaista, ja erityisesti brittiläistä pop bändeilyä myöhäis 80-luvulla, tämä australialainen bändi pystyy kuitenkin erottumaan joukosta. mutta ei perkele paljoa! ei todellakaan kovin montaa askelta menty kunnes pää kääntyy haikailemaan sitä kammottavaa korporaatiomassaa joka syövyttänyt musiikin laidat läpeensä. sykkivä, elävä paskasirkus joka tarttunut kiinni jokaiseen kumpuun ja onkaloon... korruptoiva.. samettava... mutta lieju on pikkusen blantrattua näiden kohdalla! ei ole niin tunkkaista, tanakkaa tavaraa tämä. kevyttä pientä turmeltumaa mutta hengittää voi vapaasti.. Love Goes On!
Ok
If I wanted to listen to the smiths I’d listen to the smiths
You can't say no forever Streets of your town
My overall verdict in this album is that the lovely, often profound and moving lyrics deserve a better accompaniment. Musically this album is at times anodyne to an extent that seems almost calculated. Whoever decided on a drum machine for so many tracks made a bad error. In fact the drum machine is a neat metaphor for the whole thing. It sounds so tightly controlled to at there’s no room for anything really inventive or unexpected. This is the album The Go-Betweens made after moving from London back to Sidney and it sounds as if the sun bleached all the sonic character out of them. They needed the grit.
quite good
Didnt mind it.
Lovely
3/5 - nothing special here, but maybe that’s why it’s a good album: no pitfalls either
This is fine. But I've heard the Smiths, and they're better. (Even if Morrissey is a ....)
It's OK, probably a bit closer to a 2.5 for me though. It reminds me of a lot of other music on this list, for better and worse. Favorite track: "Was There Anything I Could Do?"
Discount The Smiths
Decent, palatable music. Can't say I'll remember anything about this a month from now, but at least it wasn't bad. 2.5 stars...round up to a low 3.
Absolutely love Love Goes On! Simple, but nicely written pop-rock. Found myself tapping along happily. Other than Love Goes On! very little actually stands out here. Just middle of the pack pop-rock that is occasionally quite good, but is more often forgettable. 3 / 5.
Kind of a snooze fest for the most part with a few good songs sprinkled it. Wasn't bad just nothing memorable.
The Go-Betweens were totally new to me. Enjoyable record with a consistent pop/rock/indie vibe. Nice on like a bike ride or something.
nice pop
Not bad just really boring
Ehh, it’s fine I suppose. One of those late 80’s early 90’s Post New Wave - Not Quite Yet Alternative middle of the road Indie Rock-ish albums. I don’t know who thought we all needed to hear this one, but I think something from The Replacements or The Alarm would have been a better choice. 2.5 ⭐️ rounding up because it was more Meh than Bad
This is the definition of "middle of the road" for me. 2.5 stars. Rounding up since I wouldn't totally mind spinning it again.
Fine
Kind of a generic 80s pop album. Did not mind but not going on a regular rotation. Feels like movie soundtrack music: perfectly enjoyable but would distract from what is going on otherwise.
Fairly generic, but becomes more interesting as it goes along. I appreciate the catchy melodies and jangly guitar riffs. Standout track is: “Streets Of Your Town”
Fine album. The standouts were Was There Anything I Could Do? and You Can't Say No Forever. Although a day after listen, I can’t really recall the songs so just a ok album
3.5
I first thought that this was a UK group. After listening to the album and discovering that they are from Australia, I understood why I didn't dislike this album (let me complain once more about all the unberable british pop rock albums from the 80's that this list has). This album is decent. Sounds nice, but there isn't really anything that stood up for me.
Really just okay. Not bad. Not great. But easy to listen to.
# 455 : 10/04/2025 : Quite pleasant, they've done a pretty decent job. Not much more I can say. A band and album I could come back to.
I saw it stated before, but this really is The Smiths without Morrissey. I hate saying it because Morrissey sucks, but he writes a good song. These are just boring and devoid of soul.
Worth another listen
The Smiths vibes. Tried to pay attention to lyrics but nothing really stuck as being memorable
I recognize the single. The other tracks were pretty good too
Never heard of these guys before. They're Australian. And as they might say in Australia, "Nah, yeah, they're alright." Nothing blew me away, but it's solid Smiths-esque indie fare.
This one was a pleasant surprise for me. Kind of moody sounding tone to the album. The singer was somewhere in between a more dynamic Morrissey ( without the bubble in the throat sound). And a less skilled, less dynamic old school Bono.
grew up on this band but this is far from their best. i like before hollywood more
Whenever the guy sang it was like the smiths but more unmemorable. The other songs were good. Stand-out: Clouds
I think that I’m a little bit of a sucker for jangle pop. While it isn’t a genre that I’ve explored very deeply, I’ve never listened to any similar albums and thought anything other than “This is real nice.” Which I think perfectly encapsulates this album. It’s real nice.
It's alright. Nothing amazing
A nice warm vibe going on here, and well crafted melodies and lyrics. Like it
ok
Pretty mediocre new wave, but at least it was short
I'm sure 1980s Brisbane was a great scene to be around (?), but in the scheme of things this is is some middling indie of the era. I liked Clouds, but the rest is pretty forgettable. 5.5/10
I liked the sound of this much better than a lot of 80s pop, but I still wanted something more. 3.5
Beautiful little jangle pop gem. Maybe a bit too cleanly produced for its own good.
Passed me by without me noticing much about it other than blandness.
Middle of the road Brit pop. Good fidelity and mix of music, vocals are a bit drab and boring.
Pretty decent.
I can't say this album was particularly memorable but it was quite pleasant. It kind of sounded like a lesser version of some others bands. Some tracks sounded like the Cure, some like the Waterboys, but none as good. But it wasn't bad.
Rating: 6/10 Pretty catchy but mostly forgettable.
M'a semblé un peu ennuyeux et monocorde.
Didn’t really get this
Some solid stuff on here. Nothing standout though. Simpsons: No
Tricky one because I really like Streets of Your Town. However, the rest of the album is a solid 3 stars, and I can't justify a higher rating. Probably wouldn't listen to this again.
This started off well; however, it lost momentum by the end.
Ok
Liked the production and guitars on some songs but overall nothing life changing
Not bad but nothing really stood out to me.
Not really doing it for me. It's not bad, just not my genre.
Sounds good, but nothing exceptionnal
Guitar work was decent, but the vocal was fine to annoying. I blame Lou Reed for being so good that many people have tried to copy his style and failed. “Was There Anything” was the best song, hands down.
Pretty unremarkable. I did like Was There Anything I Could Do?
Well, it’s definitely the sort out thing I would have been listening to in the late 80s, but I’ve never heard of them despite this being their 6th album apparently! I really liked the guitar work, and thankfully it provided the melody that the vocalist didn’t. It definitely got better when the female vocalist joined in on a few tracks. Highlights for me were ‘Streets of Your Town’ and ‘You Can’t Say No Forever’. Could have been a 4 star if the vocalist was better.
This album was fine, but not worth hearing before I die. Never felt like anything that special to get that type of designation.
Good. Easy. Not special.
Good. Solid 3 stars and nearly 4
Fine but largely forgotten
I’d give this one a 3.5, it was alright overall.
3.5/5
I should like this more than I do - 80s indie, intricate arrangements, nice voice - just nothing sticks with me. 3?
Feel bad to score really as I didn't listen to the whole album. I didn't recall the band name but in listening to the most listened tracks on Spotify I do remember Streets of our Town and liked it more and at the time of release. Based on this being the big hit single and expecting the rest of the album not up to the same standard, it's a 2.5/3 from me
The Go-Betweens were an Australian band that made earnest, engaging pop/alt rock. They received consistent, strong critical reception, but never gathered more that a cult following. 16 Lovers Lane is the band's sixth studio album, and is regarded as the band's best work. This is a interesting collection of catchy love songs, from a band that never quite made it.
On par with the Beatles
I’m not much for indie, but it was pleasant and well put together for what it was.
What if The Smiths, R.E.M., and an U2 cover band joined forces? Well, they would get together in a studio and create this album. This was fine. Nothing fantastic, but serviceable.
Man there were some tracks (I'm looking at you track 2... you're straight up a U2 song) that emulated other artists pretty damn well. I enjoyed this album though. It's got that late 80's early 90's vibe when the rebellious alt-rock genre was morphing into the adult alternative genre.
19/01/25 This wasn't a bad album, but nothing really stood out, so it was average.
"Streets of Your Town" is a great pop/radio rock tune but other than that this is pretty meh.
Liked some - some not so much. And good music to get going this morning.
great album!! the 80s vibe was strong and the upbeat sound had me tap my foot once and again. really enjoyed Love Goes On! and Devil’s Eye 🫶
I’ve heard this style done better before but I still enjoy the music.
A bit of a soft rock/pop from Australia. I wanted to like it more, but just couldn't, couple of catchy songs is not enough. It actually might be a stretch to call them catchy, it's just not that good.
Hard to really dig deep into the guts of this record. It's all pretty good - the songwriting, the production, the fairly hooky pop indie vibe - without ever being particularly remarkable. "Was There Anything I Could Do?" is probably my highlight - it has a bit of crackle to it and a fairly acid lyric sheet. Not really my thing, but good for what it is.
Good music to zone out to.
I typically don't enjoy pop music from the late 80s, and mostly this is not an exception. There were a few nicer tracks here though that redeemed it for me.
3/5
Ok
enjoyable listen high 3 Also, when I saw alvvays at home the Beths opened for them, they r from New Zealand and their accents r really prominent in the music and I didn't really enjoy that part of it. This band is Australian, so similar accent to New Zealand, and I dont really notice the accent that much. I wonder why some ppl sing in like generic English and others dont it's interesting to me.
5/10 - It was default Australian rock this time.
It’s alright
Another under the radar album. Like this sound. Another Aussie band
Great 80s British vibe.
Didn’t start off great, but it grew on me by the time I got almost through it so, meh. Probably don’t need to hear the rest of the discography.
It's fine and dandy Was waiting for it to come and blow me away, but it never really hit the mark. Safe, too safe to get a higher grade Scratches a 3 most likely
A very pleasant sounding album. I do Like the singer’s voice no big stand out songs but does have a distinct Aussie sound.
Sounds kinda like basic pop rock, nothing too notable on a first pass. Cattle and Cane came on after, I think I might like this band's other output better. 2.5? Rounding up to 3 based on how few women instrumentalists are on this list. Let it be said again that the Go-Go's deserved at least a four near when I started this. music: hated. (⌐■_■)