Reviews (page 5 of 8)
Album 722 of 1001 The Go-Betweens - 16 Lovers Lane (1988) Rating : 4 / 5 I found one. Fun band from down under. Great album. Nice jangly guitars and layered melodies. This was a new one for me and I think I'll keep it around for a while. Polished production and some quality songwriting.
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
Yet another great post-punk-ish record, what else is there to say?
Beautiful little jangle pop gem. Maybe a bit too cleanly produced for its own good.
An interesting blend of 90s indie and 80s pop. Sometimes had a Smiths vibe, sometimes a dash of George Michael, I liked more tracks than I didn't, with the stand outs being "Quiet Heart," "The Devil's Eye," "Streets of Your Town," "Was There Anything I Could Do?," and "I'm Alright."
OK, Not bad. Easy listening.
Another album for thise of us with synesthesia (I feel sound) to avoid the vocals are grating, the music mediocre.
Another album and band I have never heard of and another chance to be surprised and pleased. Unfortunately from the opening 30 seconds this sounds like forgettable, forgotten Britpop. Later I realised this band are actually Australian, and the track Love is a Sign had flat, rhymeless singing that is an unwelcome reminder of The Smiths - proof that it's not always god to be proved wrong on this list. An album I gritted my teeth to get through.
Passed me by without me noticing much about it other than blandness.
Good
Just didn’t seem to get going, complete background music
This is a pleasant album but somewhat unengaging to be honest. I literally don't know what to say anymore about this album. I can see myself in a pub with a few pints, hearing one of these songs and being intrigued because it sounds familiar but still unknown, talking about it with buds. It seems like a very Austrialian thing judging by the reviews and Wikipedia, so some social context might be missing.
Middle of the road Brit pop. Good fidelity and mix of music, vocals are a bit drab and boring.
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.
Pretty decent.
Well this was very beige! Like a not good Smiths. Did not care for this
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.
booooring
Fine. An easy listen, but nothing stood out to me.
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!
Rating: 6/10 Pretty catchy but mostly forgettable.
Well I guess someone has to produce the low cost accompanying background music that romantic comedies like to use. Also mandatory to mention: Sounds like the Smiths
M'a semblé un peu ennuyeux et monocorde.
Albumi #156, 23.02.2025 Aussibändi Go-Betweensin kuudes albumi julkaistiin vuonna 1988. Levy sisältää varsin kelvollista indie-rockia. Soundimaailma on kohdillaan ja biisit ovat varsin hyviä. Ihme, ettei ole osunut kuunteluun aikaisemmin. Harkitsen levyn hankkimista.
who is this band? never heard of them before
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.
I got nothing from this album, utter indifference
There's more to the 80s than The Cure.
It's very good
Ok
Liked the production and guitars on some songs but overall nothing life changing
Dull. Safe. Middle of the road.
I have a predisposition to love most things new wave, and it turns out this album was no exception. I really liked it! Quiet Heart reminded me of U2's With Or Without You, which came out earlier in the year they started recording this album. Even though I prefer the latter, I still think Quiet Heart is a really nice song on its own. Another standout for me is Was There Anything I Could Do? Overall, a nice album for enjoying the peek of spring weather these last few days.
..
I missed the Go-Betweens heyday probably because as I was living in England in the 1980s. I didn’t recognise any of the track names but as soon as I heard them, I thought: this sounds so Australian! Then I recognised Lindy Morrison from the APIA household insurance ads from a few years. What a comedown. But anyway, nice nostalgic music for a scene I wasn't part of: 2
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
So unremarkable that it’s irritating.
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?
All very pleasant, nothing objectionable. But nothing to grab me either. Nothing wrong but nothing special either. I wouldn't put it above Neu, so 2 it has to be.
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.
Firstly, I find Australia a desolate barren place with nothing much going on in the centre. It is echoed in 90% of this country's musical output. This is ok, pleasing enough, but it has that empty Autralianness about it.
This album was fine, but not worth hearing before I die. Never felt like anything that special to get that type of designation.
My first listen to this album and I liked it very much.
Good. Easy. Not special.
Good. Solid 3 stars and nearly 4
A load of nothing album. None of it sounds bad or offensive, but it all sounds like other artists from the same time, who usually did the same thing but better. The first track was pretty nice, the rest really wasn't that memorable. Not much to say about this one, doesn't really feel essential.
Fine but largely forgotten
Bland, unmemorable, inoffensive. There's absolutely no reason for this to be on this list.
sitcom music
I’d give this one a 3.5, it was alright overall.
3.5/5
I enjoyed the first 2 or so minutes of the first song, and I was sure I was headed for a 4 star rating, and then after that it went downhill and pretty much stayed that way. There were moments throughout that I thought, "Maybe I could dig this" but then I didn't. It was definitely a whatever album.
Honestly, this was the biggest "whatever" album I've ever heard.
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
Not really heard this before. And by the sounds of things not missed much. Can only describe this as a lightweight version of the Smiths. Songs seemed to drift by without catching my attention. The only song with any kind of bite was, 'Dive for your memory'. All a bit meh really. 2 stats.
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.
I like this album, it's really just an okay album though. Real Estate pretty much based their whole thing on this. Good stuff
Fav Track: Love Goes On!, Streets of Your Town Least Fav Track: Was There Anything I Could Do?
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.
kinda dull easy listening 2/5
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?
I very much enjoy the fact that the top review for this is "It's a bit like listening to the Smiths but without having to think about what a piece of shit Morrissey is!" which, yeah, I can see that! The music is maybe a touch more conventional alt rock / new wave than The Smiths, but the vibe is pretty similar. Fave track - "Love Goes On!" was a nice opener! I'd probably need more listens to pick out more, which I'm not averse to...
🦘👌
19/01/25 This wasn't a bad album, but nothing really stood out, so it was average.
Whiny and uninteresting love songs that don't really say much or do much. Entirely skippable and generic
"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.
Not for me today.
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 🫶
Meh
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.
With there were several sings I did like, Missy of the album was very"folkie" which just isn't my thing.
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
Wow I’m horny
no es para mi
Ok
This leaves no impact on me or my life
Sounds familiar but it was good. The woman on the cover looks like Carrie from Sex and the City.
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
Favorite Track: Streets of Your Town
this era pop just does nothing for me.
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.
Australian Smiths or Cure. Really good stuff!! Favourite song: Love is a sign, You cant say no forver and streets of your town. Least favourite: Im allright was not the best if I am being picky. Album artwork: Cool cover from a great band
extremely british (derogatory) even though the group is from Brisbane. every song sounds the same and not a single one is interesting
Not my cupa tea but I like prices
Unusually, these string arrangements don't do much for the songs, apart from possibly the strong opener Love Goes On!. But that track is mostly supported by its driving acoustic guitars and chord progressions, which the strings accentuate. The string playing in the remaining tracks is unremarkable. The singing is poor, not quite reaching the same humorously dramatic heights as Britpop giants (e.g. Morrissey). In fact, this band has quite a few parallels with the Smiths, but generally carries them out pretty badly in comparison. Quiet Heart and Clouds are two very sonically similar tracks that showcase the weak singing excellently. (Clouds tries to cover it up with octave harmonising, but I remain unconvinced.) The songs, in general, are a medium level of catchy. I could see this being a shameless chart-filler back in the 80s when Britpop was inexplicably popular. Another parallel: the track Was There Anything I Could Do? sounds extremely similar to the Smiths' Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others (1986). So similar, in fact, that I'm ready to call it a knock-off song – much like George Harrison's My Sweet Lord being a knock-off of the Chiffons' He's So Fine. Still, the sameness allowed me to actually enjoy it more than most other tracks. And mere second-hand enjoyment should raise some alarm bells. 2/5 Key tracks: Love Goes On!, Streets Of Your Town, Was There Anything I Could Do?
Pleasant enough at first glance. But really it's an album that sounds like it was recorded by people struggling to stay awake.
2.5 ok favorite song: I’m all right
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
I had never heard of the Go-Betweens, but I quite liked this album. It's got a real Echo and the Bunnymen feel.
Aussie invasion
Pretty basic stuff. Not great. No idea what it's doing on the list.
Assez peu mémorable comme album. La majorité du temps ça sonne comme une version moins bonne de The Smiths. 4/10
A very pleasant sounding album. I do Like the singer’s voice no big stand out songs but does have a distinct Aussie sound.
Not heard before. I found it excellent.
Focalist reminds of Black Francis - nice lyrics
1/2
Pretty boring Australian proto indie rock, 2.5
Crap. Boring crap.
I'd heard Streets Of Your Town before and never really liked it. So I didn't have high hopes for this album. A couple of songs did jump out at me though. You Can't Say No Forever, and Was There Anything I Could Do? Kinda boring overall.
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. (⌐■_■)
Kind of bland, but not totally unpleasant.
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!
16 Lovers Lane is light, easy listening pop that didn't outstay its welcome but I will never listen to it again. I don't remember any of it 15 minutes after finishing it. Whatever, 2.
Very much easy listening, this. The Smiths with two thirds of the edges sanded off. Definitely tails off towards the end as well - the opening track is the strongest and the last four tracks are really weak. 2/5, a high 2 but not deserving of a 3.
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.
I don’t know I feel like it was extremely mid. Like this would be in the background of a restaurant or a movie where two people are conversing just to have some background noise. I think it’s cute but I don’t see a strong significant aspect.
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.
really dull
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.
2⭐️/5 [11.27.2024] 01.06.2026
Indie rock. Ni fu ni fa
Indie rock. Muy bonico.
Comfortable and upbeat at the same time. Favorite song of the album is Love Goes On! for its interesting chord progression.
This feels strangely nostalgic even though I don't think I've heard it before. I really enjoyed this. Violin and acoustic guitar is a great combo
Это как бы Смитс, что одновременно и претензия, и похвала. Лучшая песня - Was There Anything I Could Do?
It was inoffensive but I just got bored and wanted to listen to something else. Skimmed through the second half. 2.2/5
82% Best: Love Goes On!; Love Is a Sign; You Can't Say No Forever; Streets of Your Town; Was There Anything I Could Do? Must-Hear? Almost
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.
begon goed, maar meanderde zijn weg uit mijn hoofd...
The Go-Betweens apparently fell through the cracks in the 80s. The album opens well. Then songs 3 and 3 disappoint, with “Quiet Heart” distractingly derivative of Joshua Tree era U2. But this album got my attention with “You Can’t Say No Forever” and kept going strong from there. 8 out of 10 great songs overall. It’s already improving for me on my second listen, so…. Definitely deserves attention, despite the early slump, especially if you like the more indie/alternative side of the 80s. Some would be interested to know the band reformed in 2000 and released the single “Going Blind” which features all three members of Sleater-Kinney. Great song, sadly not on Spotify… had to track it down on YouTube.
This was a welcome change from another stretch of 60s/70s music, but I’m not getting what’s so important about it.
Really enjoyed this one. I'm Australian but knew very little about The Go-Betweens, although I did recognise 'Streets Of Your Town'. I thought it was a nice slice of jangly indie pop with well-crafted melodies, poetic lyrics, and what I'd consider a pretty good balance of joy/hope and melancholy. There's no '80s production excess, none of the gloomy sadsack moroseness that plagued so many of the overhyped UK bands of the era that are frankly over-represented in this list.
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.
Fun songs. Cool vibe.
Just listened to this in the background during dinner…seemed fine, but not that interesting.
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
Heel prettige muziek is dit, het tapt een beetje uit vaatje van bands als Crowded house en dergelijke, licht dromerige gitaarmuziek met enig tempo. Geen grote uitschieters, maar een heerlijk relaxte luisterervaring, als we dat zo mogen noemen.
Zooooww....dit...is...suffff...pfff...
Ik heb hier nog nooit van gehoord, ook niet van de hitjes. Maar misschien herken ik iets als ik het hoor. Nee, ik herken niks. En ik ga het ook niet snel herkennen ben ik bang, want het is volstrekt nikszeggende muziek. Het is een hele saaie huismerk INXS, die overigens dan weer niet in deze lijst staan. Wat een aanfluiting dit. Ik ken 1001 albums die beter zijn dan dit en NIET in de snoblijst staan. Het is niet per se slecht of ergerniswekkend, maar zo ultiem vergeetbaar. Wat niet betekent dat ik dit een 3 ga geven overigens. Ik ga dit gewoon een 1 geven, wat hemeltergend, zaaddodend saai is dit zeg. Ik smacht echt naar het einde van de plaat. En op die manier is het alsnog ergerniswekkend.
Another 80s boring pop/rock album. Some tracks were well arranged instrumentally. But as a whole, it's forgettable.
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.
unenthusiastic slow boredom
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.
Some easy listening. It's aight.
Not bad!
This music slid in one ear and out the other. Pretty unremarkable
I keep expecting to know one of these songs from some late 80s/early 90s serious teenage movie. Nope - just completely replaceable late 80s soft pop.
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.
It's an inoffensive album with not much to say.
Every teenager's songwriting notebook since 2002. Boring as fuck.
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.
A truly plodding listen. Sounds like the band picked up a few ideas from flying nun bands before leaving Australian, and then had anything remotely interesting drummed out of them once they reached the UK. ‘Streets of your town’ is quite catchy, otherwise this would be a solid 1 star
Inoffensive jangle pop that peaks with the one single I knew, and gets 2 stars due to that.
Very nice for indie rock
Good
Pretty boring to me and I dont remember much of anything as I write this.
I like this juicy sound very much! Perfect album! 'Love Goes On!' is a masterpiece.
I'm betting whatever single off of this record was a total fave among college radio nerds. It's got it's charms but it also screams to me "snobby record store clerk" and isn't really my thing.
Inoffensive but somewhat bland and dull. Pass.
this album feels like a nice walk on a sunny day
T'was okay.
Pleasant enough Indie Rock 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.
Extremely mid: middle of the road, mid-brow, mid-tempo, middling. Strummy acoustic guitar driven pop rock, with an 80s indie sensibility. Some pretty & melodically phrases electric guitar parts with chorus/delay tones on the leads. Too many gratuitous harmonicas and string parts. A bit like a lot of other stuff that's way better: a thousand UK twee indie bands did it better the 80s and then the one hit wonder post-grunge alt pop rock bands of the 90s refined this formula. It's like a 0% gin Gin Blossoms. Favorites: clouds, streets of your town
2.4 1x catchup 11/8/2024
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.
Like a bad Smiths
Perfectly OK jangle pop that went in one ear and out the other. This was pretty forgettable.
If you were to tell ChatGPT to write you bland, generic movie montage music, this is what you’d get.
Rock, alternative rock, indie rock
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
Does not give anything new. All the music was familiar to the past. I guess I’m getting old and want new expression art and interesting music. This was not.
Good listen, but not memorable. Perhaps I do not understand its significance. A couple interesting songs.
Kinda like if The Smiths were not good
Pretty Generic
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.
Pleasant album nothing great slow pop indie rock. Well produced and flow of song is very good almost flawless. Great as background while working or just relaxing. Liked it but not my type of music.
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.
Напоминает осовременненую группу The Smiths со смесью музыки 90-ых. Песни приятные, цепляют.
Whoever said "it's Morrissey but without the nonsense" was spot on!
This is fine. It reminds me of a lot of things that I don’t mind .
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.
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
Reminds me a bit of The Smiths. With the advantage of the singer not being as obnoxious as The Smiths'. And the disadvantage of this album being a tad bit more boring than any Smiths album I know.
Enjoyed
Another middle of the road album that begs the question "why is this on the list". Sounded like a lot of others we have heard.
Forgettable. I just listened to this but forgot what it was like, so I have to listen to the tracks I saved while I write this. Some light alt-rock stuff, adult contemporary vibes. I don't hate it at all, but then again I'm listening to the tracks I liked. Something just feels off this late in the list when we get what feel like filler albums. We're past the 1001 mark, so obviously a bunch of these albums have been cut, which ones? This one could have been for all I know. Favorite tracks: Love Goes On, Streets of Your Town. Album art: A few people sort of standing/floating in a white void. Weird cover honestly. 2.5/5
"Wallis' production maintained the acoustic feel" "Wallis replaced the drummer with a drum machine on five of the songs" the '80s were a weird time
Damn this was hella boring. And I usually love this sad boy dreary day mopecore stuff.
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.
Melodically beautiful and well-made, but I miss a sense of drama. It ends up feeling a bit flat. Still pretty good.
Boring
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.
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.
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
Enough of this shit
Just a worse version of The Smiths
Just okay. Like a lot of forgettable late 80's alternative with too much reverb and not enough edge. Too much acoustic guitar. Too much studio. Too much of the single octave where the vocals are. Songs are not memorable - not catchy, not hooky, no dynamic range, no temporal interest, everything sounds dated... there is a lot of stuff from this era that is so much better and meaningful. I don't want to say this is bad, but it is walking on that fence trying not to fall off. It's worse than bad in a way, it's boring.
Decent game
so boring. just like The Smiths!
A "The Smiths" generic band
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.
Pari iskevää biisiä, hyvät verset, kertsit ei niinkään. Tahallista? Tokkopa. 2+
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
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
I agree with another review.sounds like the smiths with a little bit less arrogance
Feels like I'm listening to a version of U2. Was good.
Better on the second listen but didn't do too much for me.
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.
Really bland and dull. No earthly idea why it's been included in the book. A bit like the jangly Smiths-y late 80s indie I’ve heard before and that’s not really helping its cause.
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. )
These peeps wish they had been picked to sing the Friends theme song. I can see why they broke up after this album.
Sounds like The Rembrants formed a Smiths cover band. Bordering on lame, but still listenable.
C+
I got in a car accident while listening to this
3.5/5
🎧Delightful jangle pop album. Really digging this. Closing track Dive for Your Memory might be my favorite.
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
What an great album
I'm reminded of The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy's description of the Earth: "Harmless." The difference being, if this album had been disintegrated into a whiff of hydrogen, ozone, and carbon monoxide by a Vogon Constructor Fleet, it wouldn't have moved the plot forward.
uessentielt men lyder vældig fint. stor 2'er
Ikke banebrydende eller noget, men lækkert!
Not interesting
Not my cup of tea. I'm sure some people really enjoy this but it is not something I would listen to again. Honestly just felt a bit limp and I didnt think it was very good compared to similar bands/styles.
This had some interesting guitar work, but really didn’t like any of the songs.
Listened twice, and it didn't engage me. Music itself was very straight-ahead rock. Lyrics were ok. 2/5.
Had no expectations coming in, but enjoyed it
A decent album with sone good tracks a 3 put of 5
Eh, pretty generic tbh some songs were cool but kind just sounded like the Smiths
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
Ouais pas mal 2.5
Not bad, better than I thought it would be going into it.
Not bad, but boring
Mid 2000s sit com music
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.
great Aussie indie music
This album is very reliant upon the audience's emotional response and I don't have time for that today
Lemppari: Love Goes On! Vähiten lemppari: Was There Anything I Could Do?
It has a familiar, almost Morrissey feel at times (Love is a Sign), and maybe a touch of Crowded House (You Can't Say No Forever), but nothing standout or unique here.
Always a shame that good solid bands from 'other' countries don't get a fair shake in countries they don't hail from. Solid song writing and composure.
Another re-discovery.
Although it mimics some contemporaries like The Smiths a bit too much, I really enjoyed each track here, and everything sounded like it could’ve been the single from the record. All quality with nothing pushed aside in favor of “the one good song you like.”
From no opinion to no skips: I loved this album on my first listen and fall harder with each return.
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
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.
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.
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
This had my sympathies for 5 minutes and 58 seconds but then the harmonica played and I started to wonder what if it doesn't want them? ... doesn't help AT ALL that I'm reminded of #27, The Triffids' 1987 album Calenture. Why is that 80ies sound so comically dialed to 11 on Aussie productions? Does that ward off dangerous animals? It certainly wards off me. I attest a nice vibe, but only when I'm not paying attention. If I do, some songs are painful.
Yet another one that I've never heard of... After listening to the first three tunes, my initial thought is that this album would be better as an instrumental. Vocalist doesn't have a "great voice," but cramming extra words/syllables into the beat calls attention to it. Not to mention...lyrics are meh. "Was your day hard you can barely answer 'Yes my world's Tumbling down Stone by stone To the ground' Please take out the garbage." It's a shame, really. The lyrics are like what a high schooler would compose while stoned and trying to be deep while everyone kinda just looks at their shoes in embarrassment for the poor guy. Ultimately boring. I'd like to give it ⭐ ⭐ ⭐, but excellent instrumentation and production can't compensate for whatever the hell it is that I wrote above. ⭐⭐ ________________________________ 🎧 LPs reviewed: 59 🎧 LPs left to review: 942 🎧 LPs I found great/relevant enough to be mandatory listens (5): 12 🎧 LPs I *might* include in my own list (4): 17 🎧 LPs I will certainly *not* include in mine (1-2): 17
Not my cup of tea
It was alright. There wasn't really one song that was a big hit for me, but I didn't think it was bad.
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.
2 - fine but not interesting in any way
It sounded like it was all the same very-long song
They even sound like the go-betweens of 80s to early 90s music
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.
Saai, niet boeiend, niet origineel