A few years ago, when I was still in college, I worked at the college newspaper and took every opportunity to snatch up the free CDs that record companies sent. One of them was Grant McLennan’s “Horsebreaker Star.” I enjoyed it, but I didn’t bother to explore his old band, the Go-Betweens.
Then, last year, a friend of a friend noticed my McLennan album and encouraged me to give the Go-Betweens a try. Very pretty stuff. You have two fine songwriters in the band – McLennan and his pleasant voice contrasted with the slightly sterner Robert Forster. And how many other bands make a semi-regular use of the oboe?
The band is, of course, active again. I have to admit, I didn’t fall in love with anything on “The Friends of Rachel Worth” on first listen. But it’s still nice to see Forster and McLennan back in the saddle.
OK, Snooooop, as I’m sure you figured, you’ve sucked me in.
I got into the Go-Betweens back in '86 after reading a bunch of glowing reviews of them from Robert Christgau. I started off with “Tallulah” and moved on to “16 Lovers Lane” when it came out, then proceeded to buy everything they did. Like all my favorite groups and albums (e.g. “Warehouse: Songs & Stories”) it took a while for their songs to hit me, but once they sank in I was hooked. I can kind of understand how they’ve been basically ignored - most of their songs are subtle and don’t hit you over the head with an immediate hook - but it’s still unfortunate. I’ve only listened to “The Friends of Rachel Worth” a couple times, and it didn’t kick in for me right away, either, but I’m hoping it will grow on me just like all the others. By the way, if you can find a copy of their “1978-1990” album on Cd, let me know. I sold mine for some idiotic reason that escapes me, and I haven’t been able to find it since.
Incidentally, I remember the Edge listing “16 Lovers Lane” as the best album of the year when it came out, and then, years later, noticed that the guitar line to U2’s “Stay” song was pretty similar to “Dive For Your Memory.” Coincidence? Dubious.
I got introduced to them in 1990 or so by a guy named Chris Keffer, who owned the studio where my then-band was recording. I bought their “Greatest Hits” CD, then several of the other discs that I could find. I especially love their ability to switch from folky rock (“Man O’ Sand to Girl O’ Sea”) to pure pop (“Right Here”) to soulful midtempo stuff (“Streets of Your Town”).
I’ve only listened to “Friends of Rachel Worth” three times so far, and right now my favorite track is, without a doubt, “Clock Turns.” What an absolutely terrific melody.
Hey, Snooooopy, why don’t we just change this to the “Snooooopy and Woodstockbirdybird” music appreciation thread? We seem to agree on everything, and our user names would link us thematically.
Hmm … but that might be perceived as exclusive. We want any other Husker Du / Go-Betweens / (insert other cool band here) fans to feel welcome to share.