The Go-Betweens
An ode to actress Lee Remick became the first single by two theatre arts students from the University of Queensland. Robert Forster and Grant McLennan shared the singing and songwriting, yet their styles diverged: Forster's were angular and ironic, rich in odd imagery, while McLennan's were softer character studies built on reported speech.
Early tracks crossed pure pop with Velvet Underground grit. Send Me a Lullaby (1981) brought dry, half-spoken vocals over melodic yet fractious guitar, Lindy Morrison's drums locked tight to the arrangements. 'Cattle and Cane', from Before Hollywood, was later honoured among Australia's all-time greats. Subsequent albums grew smoother: Amanda Brown's violin and oboe coloured Tallulah, and 16 Lovers Lane delivered the alternative radio hit 'Streets of Your Town'.
The pair disbanded in 1989, reunited in 2000 and won an ARIA Award with Oceans Apart; McLennan's death in 2006 ended the band for good.
If you like The Go-Betweens you should check out: The Church, The Saints, The Clouds, Ed Kuepper, The Birthday Party, Hoodoo Gurus, The Velvet Underground, Television, Talking Heads, The Smiths
