It’s funny how some band names are familiar while the bands remain a complete mystery.
A week ago, had I heard of The Go-Betweens? Absolutely. Did I know they were an Australian indie pop band that released a handful of critically acclaimed albums in the 80s? No way.
I might have guessed 70s punk or 90s grunge. Maybe I would have pegged the decade, but only by luck, certainly not familiarity.
The band actually reformed in 2000, teaming up with Sleater-Kinney to release four albums. Maybe that’s when I heard of them.
Their best-received album was 1988’s 16 Lovers Lane, and it’s a doozy. It has been called the “Australian Rumours” or “indie Rumours” because it has thematic (and musical) parallels to the Fleetwood Mac classic.
16 Lovers Lane is a lo-fi, passionate, moody album packed with hooks. It featured the minor hit ‘Streets Of Your Town’ (which is new to me) but every song could be a single.
I don’t know if I’ll chase down the whole Go-Betweens catalog, but this album is a wonderful find. Between the two Big Star records and this one, I already feel like the musical genome project has unearthed buried treasure.
The windows are thin
I’m trying hard
To keep this warmth in
I turn to her
She’s sound asleep
Someplace I don’t know
Doesn’t matter how far you’ve come
You’ve always got further to go
[Chorus]
I tried to tell you
I can only say it when we’re apart
About this storm inside of me
And how I miss your quiet, quiet heart.
Two hours on
My eyes are open
There’s bad blood between us
What did I say
That made you cry?
Our dream won’t die
Doesn’t matter how far you’ve come
You’ve always got further to go.
[Chorus]
What is that light?
That small red light
Scorpio rising
Doesn’t matter how far you come
You’ve always got further to go
[Chorus]
Meet Me In Montauk 
Another band I’ve never heard of. Not hearing much in the way of fleet wood Mac here, but the sound is nice enough.