16 Lovers Lane [Remastered] - Go-Betweens (The)

Advantages: It can improve your life
Disadvantages: Sorry?

...So the Go-Betweens had been recommended to me from various sources, their name bandied about in elite musical circles like some kind of mythical creatures from another world, another time. Perhaps they didn't exist at all except as something people cooler than me could name-check when reeling off influences like shopping lists, this record is in my collection therefore. So this album was going for a fiver in some dingy downstairs record shop in London, and I chanced my arm on it, ready to be wowed. Mouth already hanging open before it had even reached the cd player. When it finally did, I was appalled. No tunes. Horrible guitars. Deadly dull. But at least I've got it to show off, so back it goes on the shelf. That should have been the end of the matter, but some months later I had the silly notion to give it another listen... Read review

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Advantages: The first Moody Blues concept album. Is this what started prog rock?
Disadvantages: Perhaps a little dated - but it is 40 years old!

...the themes of many of their songs are of the cosmos, time, life and personal relationships. The beginnings were not favourable though. 'BRUM beat' was supposed to be the sound from Birmingham that would eclipse the early sixties happenings up the road in Liverpool. A coming together of elements of Gerry Levene and the Avengers and Johnny C. Storm (who?) eventually produced the one hit wonder 'Go Now'. Beyond this there was a series of improbable events. After Denny Lane (the original Moodys singer) left the band, Graeme Edge tells the story of how the group reformed. He met Eric Burdon who gave him a sack of unwanted applications from an advert for the position of lead guitarist with the reformed Animals. The first letter out of the bag was from Justin Hayward. The group hunted for an identity of their own and produced a stage act based... Read review

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Advantages: Makes you think
Disadvantages: some swearing

...children, They were brave; But that dirty little coward That shot mr. howard Has laid poor jesse in his grave." Again, executed in a very punchy and catchy style, another foot tapper. Full track listing ( The remastered versiion includes bonus tracks as listed) 1. Sick Bed of Cuchulainn 2. Old Main Drag 3. Wild Cats of Kilkenny 4. I'm a Man You Don't Meet Every Day 5. Pair of Brown Eyes 6. Sally Maclennane 7. Pistol for Paddy Garcia 8. Dirty Old Town 9. Jesse James 10. Navigator 11. Billy's Bones 12. Gentleman Soldier 13. Band Played Waltzing Matilda 14. A Pistol For Paddy Garcia (Bonus Track) 15. London Girl (Bonus Track) 16. Rainy Night In Soho (Bonus Track) 17. Body Of An American (Bonus Track) 18. Planxty Noel Hill (Bonus Track) 19. The Parting Glass (Bonus Track) Overall I think this album is fantastic.The... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful