Reviews (page 5 of 8)
Nothing memorable. Nothing terrible.
Totally fine! Wish there was more strings on the album, but otherwise feels like a natural progression towards britpop.
good jangle pop
Never heard of them before now. Pleasant 80s indie rock. Worth another listen.
Unremarkable but enjoyable listen!
Sounds very 80s and very English (I know they are Australian but lived/recorded in England). I do not mind this at all. Rather pleasant. I am surprised I have never heard of this band before today because I would have been all over this when it was released.
A no-brainer to put on at a polite party of 45+ yr adults late in the evening when there are 8 people left just chatting on the couch and you just want to put the wine bottles back in the recycling bin and go to sleep. Painfully obvious late-80s melodic love song album. It's not bad - very easy-listening and "nice" which ends up not that interesting overall but in no way offensive either. Maybe the safest (approaching boring?) album on the list thus far but won't rankle any feathers. In a way my most milquetoast comments/review befit this album. 5/10 3 stars.
Didn't do this one justice. Will need to relisten
Actually not too bad, pretty melodic. That would've been pretty nice to listen to back in the day, as it is pretty chill.
General impression: dreamy Detailed review: This is nice. Firmly in that dream-pop, jangly alt-rock realm. It’s a little pillowy, so the songs aren’t really jumping up to grab my attention, but it’s nice. Sounds nice. It’s a good, intriguing intro to this band, but I don’t know if it’s amazing. Deeper thoughts (context): Do they have better albums? I want to listen to them, but better. Maybe I’ll just stick to exploring the Smiths or something. Score: 3.4 Number of albums left to review: 940 Number of albums from the list I’d consider “must-listens”: 36 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 25 (including this one)
2.5/5
This band was totally new to me and I found this album to be an easy and enjoyable listen. I liked this more than a lot of music I heard in the 80's. I'd listen again.
Indie rock. Ni fu ni fa
Это как бы Смитс, что одновременно и претензия, и похвала. Лучшая песня - Was There Anything I Could Do?
Streets of Your Town is a very famous song here in Australia and possibly the best tune on the record, but that's not saying much as I've always found it a bit of a dirge. Not awful, but I would not seek it out.
Not familiar with this band, but it’s actually a decent listen.
This was a welcome change from another stretch of 60s/70s music, but I’m not getting what’s so important about it.
Meh. Easy listening but nothing to write home about
Melodic pop but not any classics - pleasant but better elsewhere
What an awesome example of Australian indie 80s rock. Like the smiths playing Paul Kelly songs. Why on earth bands insist on slipping harmonica into tracks is beyond me, it’s just fucking irritating
Putting aside the heinous harmonica solo*, this was just ok - a bit boring and sounded like U2 (not a compliment) - but not awful. I just want to hear some passion. Extra star for being from Australia 🇦🇺 *Death to harmonicas
Very 90’s. Solid album
A nice album but ultimately pretty forgettable. Favorites: Was There Anything I Could Do?, Streets of Your Town, Dive For Your Memory
Started off very charming but lots it's way a little as we it went on, still decent reminded us of the water boys and a little of dexys midnight runners.
Listening to this album for the second time, it continues to make no impression on me. I think that might be because it sounds like a lot of things that came after it, so I want to give this album credit for being ahead of its time. It's also just not really my flavor of alternative rock. 3/5
This is what I would expect to hear if I asked A.I. to create a basic 80's album. It's good, but I doubt I ever come back to it.
Some easy listening. It's aight.
Not bad!
This music slid in one ear and out the other. Pretty unremarkable
A little bit of the Smiths, a little bit of Joy Division... it was quite good if not altogether original sounding
The australian Smiths. It was a fine record. Easy to listen to, maybe a little boring, but definitely a Smiths rip off.
This album felt like every indie rock band that I've ever listened smashed into one sad boy record. Which is probably why I enjoyed this so much. It felt like The Strokes, The Killers, Destroyer, Wolf Parade all wrapped into one. There was even one song that kind of sounded like U2 (I know, not technically indie rock.) I really enjoyed how this just moseyed along with happy and sad love songs. It's fun and easy to listen to. It kind of has that apathetic element to it where it is exactly what it is and isn't really trying for anything else. Kind of nice refresher. I had one with this one.
Basically the platonic ideal of a three star album. This thing isn't hurting anybody.
Kinda generic to me. Not a bad record but I think I could die just fine not having heard this.
Good
T'was okay.
It's pleasant but not sure this is essential. My favourites were Love Goes On! and Was There Anything I Could Do? which sounded like The Smiths-lite with its intro riff. The album doesn't overstay its welcome either.
If you were to tell ChatGPT to write you bland, generic movie montage music, this is what you’d get.
Quite an overrated pop-rock album, partly under the influence of Lou Reed or that other Aussie folk-rock act the Triffids, which would have been probably taken with a far huger grain of salt by the "critics" had it been released a couple of years down the line. But well, it was still the eighties at the time, with so much drivel being pushed forward, that this record was bound to shine a little in comparison (its stellar string arrangements on some of the songs played a part in that, I guess). So it's nothing downright horrible either. "Love Goes On" and "Quiet Heart make up for a good starting point (too bad that follow-up track "Love Is A Sign" uses almost the same guitar arrangements as the latter, because it gives you the impression that the musicians are a bit lazy here). On side two, "Was There Anything I Could Do" is also a great, lively jangle-pop cut, with a memorable chorus that's indeed The Smiths-adjacent. About the rest (including "Streets Of Your Town", which is -- quite incredibly -- a very popular song for the band's fans, or so I hear): many by-the-book harmonies and chord successions, and many songs that sound a little safe or bland by today's more sophisticated standard... Worse, the rough-around-the-edges vocals in some of those recordings fit poorly with the latter's glossy, clean-to-a-fault, eighties production values (or with Amanda Brown's evocative oboe on closer "Dive For Your Memory"). Those sorts of pop-rock records released before 1990 have not always aged well. Might be all too easy to point it out in retrospect. But you *do* need to point that out for a project such as this one. Decent songwriting can't always redeem those types of flaws in the long run. Was almost tempted to take off a whole point to the album because of how particularly boring the reviews at the top of this section -- whether laudatory or quite harsh and critical -- are, at least compared to what you can usually find there. That rare situation also conveys the idea that the record is not very inspiring, even for those who claimed they hated it, very ironically. But honestly, doing that would take the cake, wouldn't it? Going for a neutral grade instead. In a way, this is me avowing I'm not particularly entertaining as a reviewer either. Post-scriptum: after this album, Spotify played tracks of New Zealand's Dunedin scene bands The Clean and The Chills, plus a Smudge cut where the singer claimed "I Don't Want To Be Grant McClellan" (actually one of the two Go-Betweens singer-songwriters -- even if I'm not sure whether the song eventually mocked or paid tribute to him...). Interestingly, all those compositions sounded better and way more memorable than most of what can be found in *16 Lovers Lane*... 2.5/5 for the purposes of this list of essential albums, rounded up to 3 7.5/10 for more general purposes (5 + 2.5) Number of albums left to review: 43 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 412 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 241 (including this one, even if I doubt there will be room left for it in the end) Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 306
Forgot what this was like already
Enjoyable, but quite "of its time," in my opinion. There were a lot of groups that sounded pretty much like this in the late 80s.
Decent 80s sad rock sound. Morning I haven't heard before.
This is fine. It reminds me of a lot of things that I don’t mind .
Surprise. Nice groves
This was largely inoffensive. I really didn’t feel too strongly about this one either way. It was ok. I don’t think I really needed to hear this before dying. It suffers from that incessant 80’s reverb, and just from being generally kind of bland. I really wanted to like it for a few reasons but it just wasn’t there. The band themselves seem talented and there were parts that did stand out (the vocals and guitar, namely). But not enough to write about and not enough to move this higher than three stars. Standout Tracks: Love Goes On!, Love is a Sign, I’m Alright
If you told me that this was an indie pop band from the mid 90s/early 00s, I'd believe you. It sounds like 2 different lead singers. Is this some sort of Husker Du deal? Highlights: "Love Goes On!" (nice jangle-pop), "Quiet Heart" (vocals sound like a mix of Bono and Michael Hutchence at times. I like the strings and harmonica), "The Devil's Eye" (short and sweet jangle), "Streets of Your Town" (female backing vocals and propulsive beat are an interesting touch that give it a different flavor)
I had never heard of this band, but I really enjoyed their music. Quite good and interesting.
This album really seems to be a product of its time. That’s not at all a criticism, I happen to love late 80s new wave. It just really struck me as representative of an era. This is a new album for me, somewhat to my surprise, and I’m enjoying it. Most of it. Dive for Your Memory is my favorite.
Pleasant indie pop from the late 1980s, it was like a more poppy and less interesting version of The Smiths. It was a good enough listen.
Streets of my town is a top tune, the rest not so much
Decent game
Oikein kiva! Parempi kuin usea 2000-luvun New York -indiebändi, kasari-ysärin sielu huokuu mutta kuulostaa raikkaalta, ei kalahtelevalta tai grungelta vaan pehmeältä, aidolta (hyvässä mielessä). Sanoituksissa sopivaa kepeyttä.
Kinda The Smiths without hating Morissey. I'm not sure if I had to hear it, but I'm not upset about it at least.
Big in ‘88. Or something. Every Aussie band of that period that I know seemed to be into this sort of melodic rock. (I knew three.) (Ok, four. INXS were not into this stuff. )
Sounds like The Rembrants formed a Smiths cover band. Bordering on lame, but still listenable.
C+
3.5/5
Très belles chansons mais peut-être trop homogène dans l'ensemble, un poil lassant
Apparently I listened to this back in 2016, according to my logs. Don't remember why or what turned me onto it. Either way, it's ten sweet little jangle-pop songs. Solid good-mood listening. *Heard before
Ikke banebrydende eller noget, men lækkert!
Had no expectations coming in, but enjoyed it
A decent album with sone good tracks a 3 put of 5
Some cool sounds and vibes on this album. Enjoyed more than I expected to.
Not bad! Nice easy upbeat listening.
not as good as I remembered it
Not bad, better than I thought it would be going into it.
Started out so promising. Love goes on! is a lovely song, unfortunately, everything goes downhill from there. It's same old same old and quite boring. It's a shame they could only do their thing once, because it was a very good and sweet thing.
Decent. One really good song Streets of your Town
Love Goes On! Streets of Your Town
This was quite enjoyable and fun to listen to. A collection of unpretentious songs, simple in the best way.
Another re-discovery.
Some nice jangle pop guitar but the vocal lines aren’t that interesting and it’s all just a bit forgettable
I kinda like it? When I saw 80’s pop I was ready to hate it
Pretty surprising album. Reminded a little bit of the velvet underground. Sounded a bit similar by the end but a quality album through and through.
Good songs, good listen, not too long but a bit boring tbh. Enjoyed few songsa but the album as a whole didn’t brought much to the table.
It sounded like it was all the same very-long song
I’m All Right just listening to this one time.
I actually like this album. I thought it was cute and fun. I’d probably actually give it a 3.4. I couldn’t go to 3.5 because that would round up to a four on this hole and it just isn’t a four, but it’s higher than a lot of my threes. Boy, I’d love a 10 point scale!
It’s fine. Not sure why it’s on the list.
Nice little 80's filler
Didn't think I ever heard of these cats before, but for that moment I'm the 80s, listening to this now, I think I would have liked them back then. Thick emotions, a little heavy, not overly flamboyant or too pretty. I'll give them a3 for first listen likes
Inoffensive and bland; one that didn’t linger in my memory after ending. I’m not sure exactly why, but I even found it a little irritating. Normally that would warrant a rating of 2, but I’ll go with 2.5 rounded up.
Favourite tracks: I'm alright; streets of your town; love goes on; was there anything I could do?
This has a decent feel and some good lyrics but it didn't blow me away. A bit bland or boring feeling at times. Could be me missing something.
Fun pop songs. The lyrics are well constructed. The vocals are okay. Compositions are interesting. But by the end of it I just wanted to listen to The Smiths.
None of the songs really stood out for.me but the entire album seemed like a serious attempt to transcend pop but still stay within the mainstream. Possibly give another listen sometime down the road...
Great cult band that influenced a lot of the 90s bands
Pretty decent 80s jangly alt-rock in the vein of The Church. Nothing memorable, however.
While they sound slightly dated now, this album was ahead of its time. They made a 90s record in the 80s
Nice enough pop from an 80s Australian band though I'm not sure what the significance of this album is. It's pleasant to listen to and the first few songs are pretty strong but the rest isn't particularly memorable.
A short album of pretty straightforward romantic and catchy pop songs. Just fine.
2.5 - I wouldn't say anything here is very of-note to me, but it's pleasant enough. It'd be alright background music, although I'll never go out of my way to listen to it.
extremely average, i liked some songs, most were pretty boring, generic sound
16 Lovers Lane is best een leuk album. Het lijkt op wat andere artiesten uit de jaren 80 en heeft best wat elementen waar ik muziek tof van ga vinden. Het ding is alleen dat het op al deze vlakken net iets minder is dan hun bekendere (Britse?) tegenhanger. Dan raak je snel in de vergetelheid. Dat zal -ben ik bang- na vandaag ook bij mij gebeuren. Eén moment pik ik er toch even uit. Quiet Heart is op zich een mooi rustig (beetje sentimenteel) nummer, maar de Neil-Young-achtige-mondharmonica-solo is echt van een niveautje jostiband. Het is lastig om de plaat daarna aan te laten staan. 7/10 Highlights: Love goes on! Was there anything I could do?
I'm glad we get something non UK/us, but this sounded very average to me. There are so many brilliant albums here that be comparison this seemed very boring and bland. Not offensive, just a bit meh.
Nothing super special here for me
Very earnest, sincere, but laid back to listen to. I'd have to give this more listens to really peel back the layers, but I altogether enjoyed this without it knocking my socks off. Definitely a place for this again at some point.
Liked the first two songs
Mild pop. Goes in the Australian/UK list
I'd never heard of this band before. Quite nice and jangly indie rock, reminds me a little of a more radio-friendly Pavement, so maybe ahead of its time. Doesn't strike me as super ground-breaking but I enjoyed overall, and Streets of Your Town is a good tune
Kinda like off brand the smiths, but not bad!
3-4
Angenehm
3+
Given the time period and the authors love for all things British Empire, this was a pleasant listen. nothing special but more than I expected. 3.5/5
I dug this one a bunch. Check out Cattle and Cane by the Go-Betweens. That’s a great track I was already familiar with.
5/10 type beat
The Go-Betweens are Australian indie rock. Their album "16 Lovers Lane" gives a nice alternative rock vibe but is overall very safe and unoffending.
Thoughts before listening: 80s Brit pop or new wave of some sort I think. I am not really sure, but typically when I don't instantly recognize an 80s album on this list its something that was popular with British music journalists. I'm sure this will be fine. Review: This is better than I thought it would be. Sometimes it sounds like U2, sometimes its the Smiths, and others its just kinda generic pop rock. This certainly wouldn't be on my personal top 1,001 albums list, but its not terrible. I like the song "Was There Anything I Could Do?" while the rest of the album is pleasant enough and has actually grown on me on repeated listens. 3-stars.
3+
This one is interesting, not super my thing, but I think I like it? Good listen, different but good.
Pretty good, does sound a bit like the Smiths.
Streets of Your Town is worth a re-listen
Cool album, feels like the kind of thing I'd put on at the beach on a sunny day.
Cool 80s vibe from a band I’d never heard of.
Easy
Quiet Heart was my favorite.
Just OK - not great, not bad. If you heard this in a waiting room somewhere, it would blend right in. Look elsewhere for a top album of all time however.
Not really my style.
100th album! This is a decent collection of acoustic indie pop tunes - gave me moments of Belle and Sebastian and The Smiths.
80’s road trip vibe
Actually quite good.
16 lovers lane was a fine if nothing special album. Every song at least sounded good but didn't really go beyond that. The songs just didn't feel all too special which kinda made them sound a bit to similar to one another. It got a bit more interesting towards the end but not as much as i would have hoped. It is not a bad album at all but i do wish more interesting things were done to make this album feel more fun to listen to. Best Song: Was There Anything I Could Do Worst Song: Quiet Heart
This is just a nice album. Not my particular taste but its really pleasant.
gítargáfumannapopp níunda áratugarins. á aðra yfirferð skilið. 3,5.
Ágætis 80s ástralskt. Það er einhver tónn sem er rosa ástralskur. Ágætt, alveg hreint.
It was interesting, definitely had an 80s sound to it, but not the heavy synth new wave pop of the Era. I don't know if I'd say it was anything groundbreaking, I've heard similar stuff from the 80s. It was pleasant enough to listen to. Overall it was ok
3.75
Overall an easy listen but not a lot jumped out. Similar sound to The Smith's.
If you're not paying attention on college radio you might just think the outlook is fine with these mostly gentle indie jams, but when you lean in a little more you can hear the darkness creep in through the lyrics. If I had heard this album at the right age, I'm certain it would be an all-time favorite, someone is going to love it, but my sensibilities are different now.
this cheered me up in a sea of mediocrity this was the time i was really depressed huh hold your sadness tenderly. take care of your sadness. it takes mud to build lotus flowers
Didn't find it particularly ground-breaking, but it was enjoyable overall
Don’t feel like I HAD to hear this. It isn’t ahead of its time or secretly better than the things it sounds like. It isn’t bad and I enjoyed it but it didn’t surprise me either.
Love "the streets of your town" in a similar way that The Church had cool atmospheric breezy stuff - probably around the same time. I can imagine driving carefree along the Sunset highway on the west coast early one summers evening, soothed by meaningless fun lyrics. The rest of the album is easy 80's listening - gentle fair. The res of the album is okay, is it earthshattering/top1000 material, no, but does fill an 80's slot and memories, it does and probably greatly underappreciated. I noodles around listening to their other stuff and discovered their "first 5 singles" - worth a try, if you;re a fan to hear that 'We are finding our legs' period
One Thursday afternoon in the early 90’s, Simon Marnie & Amanda Brown (they’re still together) came into Scratches Record Shop in Newtown to sell a bunch of records. This was one of them. And I reckon I haven’t played it for at least 20 years. For me, The Go-Betweens were a singles band - from Lee Remick (1978) to the standout track on this album - Streets Of Our Town - they released a decade’s worth of really interesting singles. But their albums never really won me over. As Forster later said, he always had problems with this album until he realised a decade later that it was simply “a pop album”. I love what Amanda Brown’s violin brings to it. Compared, for instance, to Robert Forster’s harmonica (listen to it on Quiet Heart - it makes Dylan sound like Little Walter). And Streets Of Our Town is undoubtedly an Australian classic. In 2017 I was lucky enough to see the documentary about the band, Right Here (Dir: Kriv Stenders), followed by a q&a with Amanda Brown & Lindy Morrison, at the Randwick Ritz. Both women were still bitter about the way they were treated by Forster & McLennan during & after the recording of the album & leading up to the band’s dissolution. I’m gonna give it another listen.
Lyrics are not bad, music is ok. Maybe it was mind blowing in 1988. Nowadays it is just ok.
This wasn't bad, but wasn't anything exceptional either.
These guys sound like The Smiths in alot of ways. Anyway, thought this was pretty tame. Can see how people could like it though it's not really my thing. 6/10.
Nothing special. Parts of "Quiet Heart" are very reminiscent of U2.
Solid
Never ever heard of this group, background music reasonable...nothing to encourage me to find out more about them
another 80s sound indie rock
well someone’s been listening to the smiths
Reminds me of The Smiths and The Cure without an iconic voice. I enjoyed this. Ez 3.5
ok
A lesser Smiths but enjoyable. 3.5
Maybe not a timeless classic, but I really enjoyed listening to it.
Seems like it would have been awesome as a 16 year old in the 80s! It’s sweet and earnest and I love how big the simple sounds can feel, but too many of the lyrics reminded me of the emo poetry I wrote as a kid for me to comfortably settle in to this one. It was a good reminder to find and burn those notebooks before they fall into the wrong hands though.
- A very fun listen, this album had good vibes - Guitar fits the vibe perfectly - Nothing crazy tho, 3.5
Interning fun pop record - there’s more to it than meets the eye. Not one of my favourites but did find myself enjoying the listen.
Very much alright, nothing really stood out apart from some songs sound like Badly Drawn Boy, "The Devil's Eye" especially.
Not remarkable but fine soft music
I had a funny comment but I forgot it it wasn't all that much
Really enjoyed. Like another said a more upbeat Smiiths and I dont have to think of what a d-bag Morrissey is
Feels a bit like a store-brand Smiths album. Which, honestly, I prefer over an actual Smiths album. It's still not great but at least there's 100% less Morrissey. I don't know... it's well recorded and well performed but there's just not much substance here. Maybe that's just par for the course for 80s rock but it doesn't stand the test of time. Not sure why it's on the list, honestly.
I did not know that 'Streets of Your Town,' was a cover by Dope Lemon. Long live music!
Quite enjoyed this album; I listened to it on a drive and never once felt the urge to skip a song. It's nothing groundbreaking to me, but a solid listen nonetheless.
It was fine. On the border of whiny sadboy for me
It didn't blow my mind or anything. Wasn't bad though.
Австралийские смитс
Verwachte er niet veel van maar echt wel een tof album, swingend, draagt emotie, en erg goede instrumentals. Had het 3, 5 gegeven als dat kon
"16 Lovers Lane" by The Go-Betweens is an album that intrigued me. I appreciated its New Wave influences and the vocal quality reminiscent of The Smiths. However, as much as I enjoyed these aspects, I couldn't shake the feeling that it was a bit too indie for my personal taste. It felt like it was missing that extra element that would make it truly resonate with me. Nonetheless, it's a notable album for those who appreciate indie music with a New Wave twist.
Dit lag wel lekker in het gehoor.
Het maakte niet heel veel indruk maar luisterde best aardig weg.
It was quite nice! Started off well with Love Goes On! and Quiet Heart. After that I found that nothing took my interest much, but Clouds and Was There Anything I Could Do were also good I think I'm really realising just how many of these albums are listed for their influence or innovation, which again, doesn't really translate when listening so long after release and after those innovations and influences have become general soundscapes. Or maybe I just haven't had albums that have fully blown me away yet!
I was hoping that this would be another 80s new wave, prefab sprout type thing that I'd really like but it was unfortunately pretty forgettable 80s pop rock stuff. I liked streets of your town and everything else was listenable but I've honestly forgotten most of it and it's barely even been an hour.
Gave me the feel of soundtracks in 90s movies. Catchy songs, a little heavy on the harmonica at times haha
Pretty 80s, but not terrible. Overall I found it a bit bland, but some parts were alright.
A standard album with one brilliant song, saved that one and I will move on.
Solidly enjoyable.
Pretty good 80s stuff, the hits better than other tracks
Fine. Perfectly fine.
Pleasant enough 80s indie
2.8 Bog standard 80s album, nice sounding but not much more to it than that. Fave songs: Love goes on, Streets of your town
I don't remember this but found it an enjoyable listen. Very much guitar driven tunes. Would listen again
It was an ok album.
I knew one song from this band that I really like and the album was good. More my kind of taste than anything suggested so far. Would rather give it 3 and a half stars but there’s no option for that.
I’ll forever be a sucker for that jangly indie sound Not sure this is quite the pinnacle of the genre but it’s a more than decent listen
Some decent jangle pop. Lots of cute little melodies and lyrics. 6/10
2/10, 20%
Incredibly mid: just felt like meh early 2000s pop rock. Nothing bad I’ve definitely heard more engaging and exciting albums. Lyrics weren’t awful but songs could’ve been catchier. Just mid.
80s jangly guitar pop. There isn't any point in this where I think it's bad, I'm also not completely hooked on any of it on first listen. Which is fine, I just don't think I'm bothered about putting the effort in to get hooked, I'm kind of good for jangle pop, I got into Orange Juice fairly recently.
Okay so I didn’t listen to this entire album. Frankly, it’s been a long day. And today I got a generic ass indie rock album. I stopped halfway through, I am just too damn tired to care. It’s fine for what it is but today is just not the best day to listen to this. It’s the same old indie rock album you’ve heard a million times up to this point. I’m being quick cause I’m tired, so I’ll give it a 5/10.
Eher so The Geht-so‘s. Klingt haargenau wie alles, was seinerzeit in England Musik gemacht hat, auch wenn man beim Schreiben der Songs bereits wieder in die australische Heimat zurückgekehrt war. Bisschen wie The Clash, nur um Längen kreativer. Gerade so drei Sterne.
Jangle pop indeed. It sounds and feels an awful lot like the Smiths just without the caustic drip, swagger and morose lyricism of Morrissey and Johnny Marr's exceptional guitar work. Not to say I didn't enjoy it, and I know the Smiths from listening to a LOT of their albums, but I don't think I'd go back to the Go-Betweens
This is really nice, and not something I was at all familiar with before. Will listen more. 3 stars.
Slightly twee Ausie indie ..one of those that prob needs more than one listen. You don't get it. 3
Not great, not terrible. Competent.
Not a bad sound. Standouts include Quiet Heart, Was There Anything I Could Do, and Dive For Your Memory.
Helped a lot by the guest instruments and bvs
'Streets of Your Town' is a solid but the rest of the album is mediocre I'm afraid
Wow. Unexpected. Really liked "Streets of Your Town", but "love is a sign" is a bust for me.
It's a bland and slightly dull cross between Paul Westerberg's solo work and Hoodoo Gurus. It's all pleasant and polished, but doesn't really hook me.
Very middle of the road ... Nothing stand-out in this album for me.
Warm and fuzzy jangle pop. Very 80s in its song structure, unconventional instrumentation played like guitars, and use of atmospheric synths and hollow consistent drums (almost sounded like drum machines). Vocalist reminds me of the guy from The Only Ones, and a bit of REM. The contrast between the two vocalists remind of contemporaries like the La's. Not all of it is spectacular or memorable, but it's coherent with highlights, and it's not terribly long. I wouldn't call it groundbreaking, but it is a good representation of this era of indie pop.
Some really nice moments.
A gentle dose of soft Aussie rock
B- Love Goes On! - 4 Quiet Heart - 3 Love Is a Sign - 4 You Can’t Say No Forever - 3 The Devil’s Eye - 3 Streets of Your Town - 3 Clouds - 2 Was There Anything I Could Do? - 2 I’m All Right - 4 Dive for Your Memory - 3 I've been playing this over and over and over again. Ahhhhhh, isn't it so great when the generator introduces you to an actual good album? I would have never heard this, but now I have and I'm so thankful. For all your flaws, you're still my bbg, Genny.
This was nice very smiths like. It felt very samey tho
Smiths like vibes, just overall uninteresting and boring
Very 80s Australian. While Streets Of Your Town is the big single, there's alot more energy on here. Not bad by any means, but I've never been mad in this sound.
Album très bon! Musicalement ressemble beaucoup à the smiths
Kivaa musaa!
Альбом середняк. Да, у них прикольная история записи, такая типа "вопреки всему и всем". Звучит вайбово, в соответствии с описаниями. Некоторые песни прям хорошенько так въедаются в кору головного мозга, что даже начинаешь их напевать. Роуд-муви под это прикольно снять, как мне кажется. В именно австралийских декорациях.
I'm kind of into it.
Solidly mediocre
I’m pretty sure “Cattle and Cane” is the only song from the Go-Betweens I had heard before, so I came to this album not knowing what to expect. It was a really nice album to stumble on- exactly the thing that makes this 1001 album project worthwhile. I like the clean production. That, plus many of the lyrics, reminds me of Rumors, though that album hits a lot harder. Based on “Cattle and Cane,” I’m guessing their earlier albums are little more post-punk new wave type stuff. I think I’d prefer that, and this album was a great surprise that will definitely make me look into their older stuff as well.
One or two decent tracks, I guess you can *puts on sunglasses* go between them. Yeahhhhhhhh
This is a perfectly pleasant album with some interesting arrangements and quirks that lift it above your typical late 80s pop fare. This is definitely the Go-Betweens' most accessible work, but it lacks a certain prickliness that I enjoy from their earlier works. Still some interesting songs, and the quality of the album improves by the second half. 17 year old me would enjoyed this well enough, but there are better bands in this vein. Fave Songs: Streets of Your Town, Clouds, Dive for Your Memory, You Can't Say No Forever, The Devil's Eye
not very memorable, but a decent 80s album
This wasn't bad. Wasn't great. To be perfectly frank I can't remember much of it.
я ничего не запомнила, не впечатлило
A pretty average album overall. felt like the smiths but slightly different. It’s not really great but for when it came out it seemed to fit the bill of pretty popular music. I liked the sound and the lead singer was very similar to morrissey. Not sure if I’d revisit it but it was a decent listen. 6.1/10
A refreshing change from some of the other choices on the list. Low key Aussie-Rock that probably doesn't get the love it deserves here in America. I wouldn't consider this essential, but it should be heard and the quality is appreciated. A good listen!
Cool, catchy stuff.
I thought this was fine. Nothing stood out but I didn't dislike it, either. Would maybe listen to it again.
Glad pop.
Fólk segir svolítið eins og Smiths, mér finnst þetta svolítið eins og meira mellow Television, en kannski er það bara söngvarinn sem vekur þau hughrif. Þetta rennur ljúflega í gegn, maður hefur heyrt Streets of your town áður og kinkar kolli, og svo næsta plata.
3.5/5
Zzzz post punk new wave pop pop
I’m vehemently neutral on this album. Some decent songs, but largely not very memorable
This feels like a 90’s album, but it was released in the 80’s. Good vibes and an enjoyable listen.
This album is fine. It’s nice, but doesn’t stick out to me as being particularly amazing.
Enjoyed this indie with a hint of soft rock, enjoyable album, I think it deserves it’s place on the list. Didn’t think I’d heard of the go-between but I do recognise some of the singles from the album.
Score: 60 A less interesting version of The Cure The production is good, the faster paced songs are pretty good. But having half the album be slower songs kind of creates a pacing issue for me. Not bad though. Just made me really want to listen to The Cure instead
This album is white bread - simple and bland. Big weakness is the vocals; not my favorite; an even worse Bono? Nice, clear and pleasant instrumentals - I liked the harmonica. Most songs are pretty basic and lightweight. Some might enjoy that, but a lot left me wanting more. It's harmless and inoffensive music, think other bands did this sound better. Fave song: Was There Anything I Could Do?
Really chill album. Kind of nostalgic sounding even though I've never heard of the Go-Betweens. Generally good, but I wouldn't say there's something super unique. Fave track(s): Love Goes On!, You Can't Say No Forever
Didn’t really know this band but Spotify feeds them to me periodically. I enjoyed a full album.
I keep misremembering this band name and thinking they’re called The Inbetweeners. That would be incorrect. I hadn’t heard of The Go-Betweens before today, so I’m interested to hear them. Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Was There Anything I Could Do? This feels like a strange album to be considered as one of the 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this album, but there’s nothing great about it either. Overall, I did enjoy the album, but it’s also somewhat forgettable to me. I can’t imagine that I’ll be rushing back to this, but overall I’d consider this to be absolutely fine. Nothing more, nothing less.
Not my cup of tea
That was okay. The 80's sound was nice and the melodies and instrumentation were solid, but the vocals were off in a way thaht just wasn't interesting. Don't think I would listen again.
Cross between Manic Street Preachers and James and The Smiths
Could write a tune and pleasant enough.
Liked Was There Anything... the best. Streets of Your Town was catchy and opened strong, but got a bit samey and repetitive quickly. The rest was pleasant enough, but a bit unmemorable.
nice genuine album about love
Was There Anything I Could Do
Very enjoyable, I would listen again
Generic
J'ai été très supris au moment où cet album arriva à son terme de constater à quel point les Go-Betweens m'avaient acoustiqué la gueule.
C'était carrèment correct, mais cet album porte quand même notre série sans 4/5 à 15 albums, nous ne sommes plus qu'à deux petites unités du record absolu. Attention tout de même, il va falloir passer l'obstacle Pixies, qui est un gros concurrent au 4/5. Affaire à suivre.
Good alt rock
Forgettable, but not bad.
Good accoustic pop music. Highlights: Streets of Your Town, Dive for your Memory.
Rating: 6/10 Best songs: Was there anything I could do?
Good music but too slow for me
Okay, I guess. Boring for me.
I got excited by the opening track and thought this might be another hidden gem. But after that, things were pretty and pleasant and rather ordinary.
It didn’t stand out a lot for me and there are many other albums in this style I’d rather be listening to. Still, an enjoyable 80s pop album with interesting storytelling and lyrics. A pleasant diversion I didn’t mind listening to.
Would listen again
Completely new album to me with some interesting parts.
Never heard of this band. This is fine. Reminds me of a "not as good" Style Council or Everything but the Girl record. I'd rather hear those -- they're much better.
Another "fine" album from an 80s group that tells me more about the list makers than popular music. No reason why this should be on here over any Drake, Rihanna or OutKast album
A good early indie band, I really liked the first and last songs a lot.
One of the band members described the album as the "the perfect combination between London melancholy and Sydney sunshine" and I would agree. This album also fits well into the musicsphere of the late 80s indie rock, that's still got typical 80s synths throughout. Best: Streets Of Your Town Worst: I'm Alright
no strong feelings of anything
A pleasant and catchy indie pop record with a wistful but summery vibe. Reminiscent in different places of The Lightning Seeds, U2, Crowded House and The Smiths. Rating: 3.5/5 Playlist track: Love Goes On! Date listened: 24/08/22
Not bad, some great stuff, some meh
Sounded like a slightly more upbeat version of The Smiths. Fine listening
Good
better than I expected.
Another middling indie rock album for me. There were a few good songs on here that stood out from the rest but nothing I'll likely ever go back to again.
I had never listened to this band before and liked some of the songs on this album, like "Quiet Heart." This is more folk-rock than I had expected and I appreciated the acoustic guitars and violin. There was nothing, however, that was really memorable.
Good
Fun - Streets of Your Town is so good
J’aime le vibe de l’album. Ca termine vraiment bien mai sil faut etre dans le mood. J’allais mettre 2 pour le debut et 4 pour la fin. Donc 3/5 car ca me rappelle beaucoup de chanson dans ce style.
Just fine, I feel like it sounds like a lot of the music from the era and not really distinct to me.
This was pleasant. It had a 90's feel for sure.
Writing this a few hours after listening and honestly can't remember a single song from it. Wasn't bad but not particularly memorable.
Y'know, it's not life-changing but it is pretty decent. A lighter, ozzier Smiths with a lot less baggage.
Pangare
A post-punkulent sound gives these songs a unique effect. I especially like ”Clouds” and how it uses the oboe for added escalation. This is an album you shouldn’t underestimate
I'm not a fan of his voice. It's not really my style but it was an ok listen. My son would really dig this.
interesting, spare lilting pop rock.
This album is fine but I’m confident I’ll forget about the entire thing in 24 hours.
It was okay. Easy listen
Quite enjoyed this. Passed part of a Spring morning rather pleasantly. A name I know without being able to name any of their songs (although I recognised the hit single when I heard it). Jolly and well-crafted, but not sure I would play it again out of choice. Not enough variation to grab my attention throughout. May dig into some of their earlier work, however.
Bueno
Never heard of these guys. It has a very easy to like sound. I definitely enjoyed it and want to hear more of it.
Not great, not terrible. Decent contemporary 80s rock.
Quite enjoyable
It started off strong but by the middle had started to blend into itself. It’s fairly standard new wave folky stuff with an interesting guitar sound that is almost flamenco like at times. The lyrics felt a bit forced at times as well.
I always associate top-tier lyricists like Forster and McLennan with simple yet indelible melody, which, in my mind, is more akin to great prose than rhythm, which is more akin to, um, plot? I don't know, this is the first time I've really thought about it. Anyway, I first discovered the Go-Betweens on Friends of Rachel Worth and fell deeply in love. That album is exhibit A in the case of simple melodies vs my ears (this doesn't really work--why would I bring a case against melodies I love?--but whatever), and even though I knew their earlier work through the 90's best of (why are early GB's album so hard to find in CD?), I still wasn't prepared for the strength of the rhythms here. That's all I've got to say, really: I already knew they were great melodists and wrote 300 pages deep, but now I'm clearer on their rhythmic prowess. Oh, and they have those classic great writer voices. You know the kind. Kind of wobbly, strained, only a couple degrees from just talking. But you wouldn't want to hear the material sung in any other way.
quite fun! Might try and listen to more of this band
I feel like several of these have been used in indie films, particularly 'Streets of Your Town', and I think the songs work well for that sort of vibe, pleasant and bright but I wouldn't say spectacular
Honestly, nothing on this album stood out for me. Reviews called it melancholy, I just found it dreary. Even the big "hit" I had never heard of. It was just all "meh."
WTF? Sometimes I just don't understand this list. This album pales in comparison to many of the recent gems. It was a perfectly average, bland piece of music. Fine to listen to, but nothing remarkable. Lyrics were ok, musical arrangements not bad (a bit of synth though?). More violin and harmonica than normally heard in a pop rock band perhaps. So what? I just don't hear anything that shows unique ability or style.
Easy listening 🎧 no complaints!
nice alt rock album, imo the best song is Streets of your town, I really liked the vocals, especially female one
Background fluff. Nothing exciting, nothing to remember.
Good indie rock album
Comença de forma formidable amb 'Love Goes On!', pop lluminós i radiant, que té una bona continuació al llarg del disc amb tonades amb menys punch però que fan una escolta somiadora i agradable
I like the laid back vibe of this album. Streets of Your Town is a highlight as it just sounds so pleasant. I like the songs when Amanda Brown’s violin contributes. The lead singers’ voices are fine for the most part, but it’s a bit off on Love Is a Sign.
I liked it, didn't love it. But hey that's alright.
Upon first listen there was no mistaking the era - this is 80s pop through and through. And not unpleasant, either. It's just that I feel like I've heard all these songs before from other bands. There's a bit of Psychedelic Furs, some Billy Bragg, and a little Echo and the Bunnymen in here, but all the apparent influences leave me wondering who the Go-Betweens are. And again, perfectly pleasant 80s pop - it's just not particularly original. And in that it also doesn't particularly move me in really any way. And it's not that derivative works are necessarily 'less good' than their inspiration, it's just that these particular derivative works don't add much nuance or value to the original experience.
3.4 - If this album were a beer, it'd be a Carlsberg or something similarly inoffensive. Straightforward love songs expressing regret and longing, strummed on acoustic guitar with mostly 1-5-7-4 chord structures (from what I can tell), sung in a clear baritone, with minimal studio magic. The songs are written thoughtfully and recorded crisply.
I listened to this album. I liked parts of it. Then I went on with my day and didn't think about it at all. Faint praise, I know. And I don't think I can muster that much passion to go through this album's okayness. There are striking moments; Streets of Your Town has one line that really startles. But this is essentially your standard gangly indie guitar with some clever lyrics, and you yearn for more instances of lyrical sharpness. You'll have no regrets listening to this, but you'll find little that'll make you fight for the Go-Betweens. Mind, if you pin your colours to the Go-Betweens' mast, I doubt you'd carry much weight in a fight anyway.
This is a nice album by an artist I’m unfamiliar with. I enjoy the instrumentation- the guitar work, bass, and drums are all in the pocket.
Pleasant to listen to.
A pleasant surprise! I love the moody, brooding lyrics contrasting the perky pop-ish guitar.
Man the lyrics are way too sappy, easily took off a star due to it.