- Audio CD (5 May 2008)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Lo-Max Records
- ASIN: B000069007
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Vinyl
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 219,093 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product details |
Track Listings
| 1. Magic Is Here |
| 2. Spirit |
| 3. Clock |
| 4. German Farmhouse |
| 5. He Lives My Life |
| 6. Heart And Home |
| 7. Surfing Magazines |
| 8. Orpheus Beach |
| 9. Going Blind |
| 10. When She Sang About Angels |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
The Friends Of Rachel Worth is the Go-Betweens' seventh album, and arrives 12 years after the sixth. Though the interceding solo careers of songwriters Robert Forster and Grant McLennan have had their moments, all great partnerships are more than the sum of their parts, and it is to be hoped that this album encourages them to put their reunion on a permanent footing. The Friends Of Rachel Worth was recorded by Forster and McLennan in Portland, Oregon, with American indie-favourites Sleater Kinney falling in as a backing band. All the virtues that characterised The Go-Betweens at their finest are present: five songs each by Forster and McLennan, each one a small El Dorado of hearts and flowers. As ever, their styles are contradictory but complementary: McLennan's peerless knack for the understated, insidious melody and Forster's heroically overwrought posturings. In terms of The Go-Betweens' awesome back catalogue, this contains the exuberant pop sense of 16 Lovers Lane, the spare and evocative arrangements of Liberty Belle & The Black Diamond Express and the lyrical accomplishment of Tallulah. Ultimately, what can best be said of The Friends Of Rachel Worth is that it is worthy of being called a Go-Between's album, and those in the know will know that praise can come no higher. --Andrew Mueller
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It's just not been the same since Forster and Mclennan split up. My final sighting in 1990 was the greatest singer songwriter combo since Lennon & McCartney standing on the front edge of a stage in London , feet on monitors , banging out "Apology Accepted?" as if their lives depended on it. Of course their solo careers turned up some classic songs , as anyone who's seen Forster spellbind an audience with "Danger in the Past" will testify. This album brings together two very well differentiated solo careers. There had always been differences in approach and style - Forster as flamboyant as a cross between Oscar Wilde and Iggy Pop - and McLennan as flamboyant as a plumber's mate , albeit a plumber's mate with a wicked ear for a catchy tune. Somehow they moderated and fed off each other creating a magic that some feel had no equal since the aformentioned Scousers. The F.O.R.W. is like another first album in many ways , the guys finding their way as a duo again , and I think a lot of the songs were already written before they reunited. The talent is obviously undimmed , McLennan's "Magic in Here" is as good as "Batchelor Kisses" and Forster's "German Farmhouse" as devil-may-care as "Draining the Pool" , but I think if they make it to that difficult "2nd Album" then things may get very interesting indeed. Here's hoping.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It's been a long wait for this new album but patience has its own rewards. This has a slightly "retro" feel to it - by that, I mean a return to the Go-Betweens sound of, say, Liberty Belle or, even, Spring Hill Fair. That's a very positive "one step back" as owners of those albums will know. Apart from that, this record has all the elements that make the Go-Betweens such a cherishable band: it's lyrical, witty, and tender. Sometimes the joins between the McLennan and the Forster songs show, but it was always thus and long may it remain.
It's a bonus, too, to see them teaming up with such a great group of musicians. Although some of the songs could have had a little more work on the production, there is a palpable sense of spontaneity in the playing and singing.
A very fine addition to the discography of a beautiful pop group.
Format:Audio CD
This is the first of the Go-Betweens reunion albums. Released in 2000, it finds Robert Forster and Grant McLennan (RIP) backed by the band Sleater-Kinney, who I am not really familiar with.
The material is generally mellower than their 80s material but it does contain some trademark jangly guitars and some very wistful numbers. Grant was always the poppier songwriter, and so it follows here, the album opening with his Magic in Here. Anchored by a brittle yet beautifully constructed riff, it ambles along nicely before leading into Robert's wonderful Spirit. It has a simple but utterly addictive guitar figure powering this mellow, elder-statesman like song. The flamboyant Robert Forster persona of yore has been replaced by a world-weary, wistful storyteller, and it suits him well.
2 more uptempo tracks follow, where the guitars have been beefed up a little, particularly on German Farmhouse, which is a Lou Reed-like rocker talking of his years of seclusion(!).
Most of the rest of the material is mellower though in general more downbeat than their previous material. It still contains 'sunshine', though it's more like winter sun breaking over a frosty landscape.
It's a very pleasant listen which should appeal to fans of the band and any new listeners wondering if they should check them out. Yes you should.
The material is generally mellower than their 80s material but it does contain some trademark jangly guitars and some very wistful numbers. Grant was always the poppier songwriter, and so it follows here, the album opening with his Magic in Here. Anchored by a brittle yet beautifully constructed riff, it ambles along nicely before leading into Robert's wonderful Spirit. It has a simple but utterly addictive guitar figure powering this mellow, elder-statesman like song. The flamboyant Robert Forster persona of yore has been replaced by a world-weary, wistful storyteller, and it suits him well.
2 more uptempo tracks follow, where the guitars have been beefed up a little, particularly on German Farmhouse, which is a Lou Reed-like rocker talking of his years of seclusion(!).
Most of the rest of the material is mellower though in general more downbeat than their previous material. It still contains 'sunshine', though it's more like winter sun breaking over a frosty landscape.
It's a very pleasant listen which should appeal to fans of the band and any new listeners wondering if they should check them out. Yes you should.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A desert island disc if ever there was one!!
So often when scanning the CD rack and ummmming with indecision I just whack this on and everything is right with the world. Read more
Published on 18 Aug 2007 by A. Davies
A welcome return
The 90`s were far less interesting without the combined talents of Forster and McLennan. Since 1988`s premature split, after recording and touring to death one of the greatest... Read more
Published on 25 Nov 2000
A welcome return
The Go-Betweens legacy continues with a welcome return in the shape of The Friends of Rachel Worth. An exquisite pop master piece, sod the intellectualisation of other reviewers. Read more
Published on 1 Nov 2000 by pjw73
Almost great
Recorded in just two weeks, the Go-Betweens' much-awaited comeback has more of a home-made feel to it than any of their albums since their last release for an indie label proper,... Read more
Published on 19 Sep 2000
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