Too Much of One Thing, best Go-Betweens song evah?

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Too Much of One Thing (mp3) is the centerpiece of the new Go-Betweens record Bright Yellow, Bright Orange. It almost sounds like a Bob Dylan ballad. But it still has the typical melancholic touch of the Go-Betweens and is at the same time a sunny and light pop tune. Absolutely gorgeous. I suppose it is the longest Go-Betweens song of all time with almost six minutes playing time. A serious contender to the throne of Streets of Your Town? What do you think?

― alex in mainhattan (alex63), Sunday, 9 February 2003 08:21 (twenty-three years ago)

The guitars are a miracle. Like liquid gold. Especially at the end.

― alex in mainhattan (alex63), Sunday, 9 February 2003 08:22 (twenty-three years ago)

Without even hearing it, I doubt it, but that's only because Cattle and Cane could literally never be surpassed. But I'm looking forward to hearing it based on what you've said.

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Sunday, 9 February 2003 10:36 (twenty-three years ago)

esoj, don't you have a sound card?

― alex in mainhattan (alex63), Sunday, 9 February 2003 13:30 (twenty-three years ago)

i haven't had a chance to d/l it yet but will do tonite

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Sunday, 9 February 2003 23:46 (twenty-three years ago)

my goodness! i have just listened and it is exceedingly mediocre.

― keith (keithmcl), Monday, 10 February 2003 00:20 (twenty-three years ago)

Me too. It's certainly not the best Go-Betweens song ever unless I downloaded the wrong thing.

― N. (nickdastoor), Monday, 10 February 2003 01:41 (twenty-three years ago)

I kept hoping for a big hearty singalong chorus or spooky, howling-wind backup vocals or something. I liked it, though. It reminds me of Gordon Lightfoot.

― Arthur (Arthur), Monday, 10 February 2003 01:53 (twenty-three years ago)

exceedingly mediocre.
what? we live on different musical planets, i guess. it's different from the early go-betweens stuff, the voices are lower, everything seems more settled, more mature. it's not spectacular but i don't look for that kind of thing in music anymore.

― alex in mainhattan (alex63), Monday, 10 February 2003 08:44 (twenty-three years ago)

What, you mean like an interesting melody or arrangement?

It's fine, mature singer songwriter stuff. Simple. Like some mid 70s Dylan or something. Maybe I do prefer the spectacular.

― N. (nickdastoor), Monday, 10 February 2003 12:23 (twenty-three years ago)

*Spectacular* should be compulsory.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Monday, 10 February 2003 12:28 (twenty-three years ago)

The truly great Go-Betweens records work best as entire albums (Liberty Belle, yah?) This song may sound better in a full-record context.. I think it's a good song, but it's nowhere near my favorites (Eight Pictures, Ride, By Chance, Twin Layers of Lightning, You Tell Me, I Just Get Caught Out, Was There Anything I Could Do?, The Clock) .. and not even as good as a lot of Robert's solo work .. and I think the Go-bs are sort of still working as two solo artists rather than a duo.

.. But I'm still really looking forward to hearing the whole record.

― dave225 (Dave225), Monday, 10 February 2003 13:26 (twenty-three years ago)

I liked the last one better than any of the others, to tell the truth. Like "Spirit of a Vampyre" best of their '80s stuff. But, old stuff has that annoying 1980s drum sound.

― Edd Hurt (delta ed), Monday, 10 February 2003 13:49 (twenty-three years ago)

and I think the Go-bs are sort of still working as two solo artists rather than a duo.
Not in this song though. Written by Forster about McLennan. Music composed by McLennan. Sung by forster up to the last verse which is sung by McLennan.

― alex in mainhattan (alex63), Monday, 10 February 2003 13:50 (twenty-three years ago)

Why is there not one of the nine songs you mention on the best of 1978-90, Dave? That's the only CD I have of them. And I found it rather disappointing. Where should I start then?

― alex in mainhattan (alex63), Monday, 10 February 2003 14:00 (twenty-three years ago)

1978-90 is a good compilation, but it's mostly b-sides & radio-friendly hits. You won't find much of what I listed on a compilation - but I would recommend Liberty Belle & The Black Diamond Express ... Everyone seems to have a different favorite - and to me, they're all good .. but my favorites in order were:
Liberty Belle
Send Me a Lullaby
Tallulah
Before Hollywood
Friends of Rachel Worth
16 Lovers Lane
Spring Hill Fair

.. I haven't heard the new one yet ... But you can tell by my list that I like the odd-key stuff more than the pop stuff... So you may have a totally different experience... and I think that's what makes the band so great.

― dave225 (Dave225), Monday, 10 February 2003 14:09 (twenty-three years ago)

Start with 16 Lovers Lane, their most accessible (i.e. catchiest) effort. Friends of Rachel Worth is pretty easy going, too. Then move on to Liberty Belle, Tallulah, Spring Hill Fair and Before Hollywood.

As far as songs go, Bye Bye Pride is probably my favorite, with Hammer the Hammer, I'm Alright, The Clock, Spring Rain and Right Here not far behind.
Funny, I never listened to the Go-Betweens in my college days during their heyday, but they're my favorite pop band now.
But I'm a little uncomfortable with Forster and McLennan using the band's name without Lindy. Lennon and McCartney were the heart and soul of the Beatles, but they wouldn't be the Beatles without Ringo.

― Jazzbo (jmcgaw), Monday, 10 February 2003 14:19 (twenty-three years ago)

I think I will start with the new one. The old albums are mostly out of print. What I heard of the new one on the radio was very good. Somehow I have the impression I don't like their catchier stuff. Cattle and Cane for example seems one of the dullest songs they have made.

― alex in mainhattan (alex63), Monday, 10 February 2003 14:37 (twenty-three years ago)

With the exception of 1978-90 and 16 Lovers Lane, every album is readily available (several were recently re-issued with bonus tracks). And 16 Lovers Lane isn't hard to track down.

― Jazzbo (jmcgaw), Monday, 10 February 2003 15:22 (twenty-three years ago)

And Cattle and Cane is killer!

― Jazzbo (jmcgaw), Monday, 10 February 2003 15:23 (twenty-three years ago)

Liberty Belle is hard to track down at least at Amazon.de.

― alex in mainhattan (alex63), Monday, 10 February 2003 15:36 (twenty-three years ago)

Liberty Belle is hard to track down at least at Amazon.de.
You can get it from 101CD in the U.K.

― dave225 (Dave225), Monday, 10 February 2003 15:40 (twenty-three years ago)

I love three Go Betweens albums more than the world, two of the others mix the sublime with the ridiculous and the sixth has like, two great songs and a pile of meh. I don't count The Friends of Rachel Worth cause I don't have it.

The 3 great ones are Before Hollywood, Liberty Belle and 16 Lovers Lane. The two mixed bags are Spring Hill Fair and Send Me A Lullaby and the yeachy one is Tallulah.

― N. (nickdastoor), Monday, 10 February 2003 15:49 (twenty-three years ago)

That is soooo totally wrong. !

― dave225 (Dave225), Monday, 10 February 2003 15:56 (twenty-three years ago)

my fave songs:
people say
lee remick
karen
i need two heads
man o sand to girl o sea
was there anything i could do
love goes on

― Jens (brighter), Monday, 10 February 2003 17:37 (twenty-three years ago)

Well at least we agree on Liberty Belle, Dave. I never understand the Tallulah lovers. Or the 16 Lovers Lane haters. Maybe I hate 1987 production values and love 1988 ones.

― N. (nickdastoor), Monday, 10 February 2003 17:44 (twenty-three years ago)

I've only played the newie once, and I wasn't paying enough attention. Even so, it's hard to believe that anything on it could hit the heights of Bachelor Kisses or Head full of steam. Then again, it's hard to believe that any group could. I love them.

― Tag, Monday, 10 February 2003 17:47 (twenty-three years ago)

Liberty Belle & 16 Lovers lane = perfection.
Tallulah, Spring Hill Fair, Rachel Worth = pretty damn good.
Earlier albums = meh in places, not bad in others, but there are some cracking single tracks kicking around from this period. eg. I Need Two Heads => what a blinder!!

― alext (alext), Monday, 10 February 2003 18:20 (twenty-three years ago)

Except it sounds like the Cure.

You don't love Before Hollywood, alex? But why?

― N. (nickdastoor), Monday, 10 February 2003 18:23 (twenty-three years ago)

"Old Mexico" is the strongest track off the new album, followed by "Poison In The Walls." "Old Mexico" is up there amongst my favorite Go-Betweens tracks and the entire album is very engaging. Probably not a year-end Top 10 selection but it's definitely very enjoyable.

― zaxxon25 (zaxxon25), Monday, 10 February 2003 18:28 (twenty-three years ago)

Faint praise alert.

― N. (nickdastoor), Monday, 10 February 2003 18:29 (twenty-three years ago)

Cattle and Cane for example seems one of the dullest songs they have made.

*jaw thumps on floor* i have no idea how to respond to this. i don't think i've been more offended in my life.

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Monday, 10 February 2003 22:16 (twenty-three years ago)

The Clock!

― Dan I., Monday, 10 February 2003 22:20 (twenty-three years ago)

Cattle & Cane always seemed their most overrated song to these ears. It's like their How Soon Is Now? or something.

I mean I like it, maybe more than that, but I don't get why people go on about it so much. I prefer the Wedding Present cover!

― N. (nickdastoor), Monday, 10 February 2003 22:29 (twenty-three years ago)

right that's it, fuck you all, i'm out of here..

< /doomie >

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Monday, 10 February 2003 22:48 (twenty-three years ago)

was "Bachelor kisses" mentioned? *special* place in my heart

― gaz (gaz), Monday, 10 February 2003 22:57 (twenty-three years ago)

I prefer the Wedding Present cover!

I like that cover, but it feels like a friendly rough singalong -- the original feels like a cool blue message from some lost decade.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 11 February 2003 00:49 (twenty-three years ago)

i always pictured it as being more of a wheatfield colour

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Tuesday, 11 February 2003 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

it's puce you mentalists

― mark s (mark s), Tuesday, 11 February 2003 01:03 (twenty-three years ago)

sorry, electric sound of jim. i didn't want to offend you. it's just that i really dislike that song. i'm a little bit in a bad mood. i don't understand why no-one loves too much of one thing. and why so many critics don't get the new massive attack. i think i will retreat into my cave for a while.

― alex in mainhattan (alex63), Tuesday, 11 February 2003 08:37 (twenty-three years ago)

Except it sounds like the Cure.

being released on postcard more than compensates.

You don't love Before Hollywood, alex? But why?

I don't know. Will have to either get my record player fixed to listen to it again, or buy the reissue with all those extra tracks. mmm... extra tracks.

― alext (alext), Tuesday, 11 February 2003 15:29 (twenty-three years ago)

"Cattle and Cane" is great (trivia is that it was written on Nick Cave's acoustic guitar). The Wedding Present cover sucks cuz that Gedge doesn't even get the lyrics right (how exactly does memory WASTE??).

Anyway, I like the new song.

― Aaron W (Aaron W), Tuesday, 11 February 2003 15:57 (twenty-three years ago)

B-but what else is it supposed to be? (just checked Before Hollywood lyric sheet and it says 'memory wastes' there)

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 11 February 2003 16:55 (twenty-three years ago)

um, i love the wedding present but even i have to admit that their version of "cattle and cane" is MURDER.

"apology accepted" and "part company" are ample evidence of GB genius, btw.

― kieron, Tuesday, 11 February 2003 23:03 (twenty-three years ago)

yay

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Tuesday, 11 February 2003 23:04 (twenty-three years ago)

I think the new one is the worst record they've put their names to, on first hearing. That still doesn't make it bad, but I think fondness for the voices is keeping me from turning it off as much as anything else. It's terribly UNCUT-friendly, lots of mid-paced, delicately strummed and twanged guitar work - but there's nothing that stops the heart like their earlier work or even anything as zesty as "Going Blind" or "Surfing Magazines". Bit of a disappointment, all told.

― Tom (Groke), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 15:02 (twenty-three years ago)

"Unfinished Business" is very pretty though.

― Tom (Groke), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 15:12 (twenty-three years ago)

it's a beauty of an album. understated melancholic tunes. slowly opening roses in the morning dew. the album has a perfect flow. songwriter guitar pop at its finest. about a million times better than the best of i have. besides too much of one thing the first song caroline and i is another jewel. the only weak song is old mexico.

― alex in mainhattan (alex63), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 23:11 (twenty-three years ago)

I just picked it up today - you people are high. "Make Her Day" is the quintessential Go-Betweens track. Very 16 Lovers Lane with some of that "Man O' Sand to Girl O' Sea" off-key(ness.)

― dave225 (Dave225), Wednesday, 19 February 2003 19:41 (twenty-three years ago)

Tom, I totally agree with you. Never thought I'd hear myself say it, but I was thoroughly bored throughout my first listen to BYBO. I don't even know when I'll listen to it again (althougth I know I will). They've lost a bit of the fiestiness that I always held dear to my GoBs lovin' heart (as heard on 'Hammer The Hammer', 'Draining The Pool', 'Spring Rain' and 'The Clock'.

― Guy Flower, Thursday, 20 February 2003 10:03 (twenty-three years ago)

The jury's still out for me. Very disappointed at first, but it's growing on me, slowly. Certainly not a patch on the last one, but compares OK with Robert's last solo album, for example, which it reminds me of quite a bit.

― alext (alext), Thursday, 20 February 2003 11:19 (twenty-three years ago)

old mexico is the only good song!

― pulpo, Thursday, 20 February 2003 11:55 (twenty-three years ago)

old mexico isn't as bad actually. the beginning is shite but after a minute or so the chorus is quite nice. there is not one bad song in the end. a very consistent album. it's not the absolute masterpiece but still very good.

― alex in mainhattan (alex63), Thursday, 20 February 2003 19:17 (twenty-three years ago)

three weeks pass...

i've just heard this song and i consider it the worst song on a reasonably mediocre record. "mrs morgan" and "old mexico" aren't bad songs, the rest is very blah. to an extent i blame the hands-off production, which doesn't suit them.

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Friday, 14 March 2003 05:05 (twenty-three years ago)

what you write there esoj just proves that we have diametrical tastes. cattle and cane is the most unbearable song i have ever heard of the go-betweens. the tune is so fucking obvious. and i think judging too much of one thing after one listen is pretension. It is a song which sinks in slowly like all music I love.

― alex in mainhattan (alex63), Friday, 14 March 2003 06:11 (twenty-three years ago)

i gave it a second and third listen to be sure and whilst i don't think the song is rubbish, i really don't see it joining the ranks of my favourite GoBs tunes.

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Friday, 14 March 2003 06:13 (twenty-three years ago)

one year passes...

Better late then never but I think that each of the Go Betweens Albums
Are Good.16 Lovers lane Is the Go Betweens last album. Friends of rachel worth and BYBO should have been released under a different name. Lindy Morrison,Robert vickers,and Amanda Brown Helped create the Go Betweens Albums. Hopefully Robert and grant Will Agree and Release any new Material under a Different name. What Do You Guys Think Of the Name Part Company?

― DAVID BELL, Friday, 2 April 2004 00:30 (twenty-two years ago)

robert and grant are the go betweens. lindy was an important member certainly, but in all honesty she was not an essential member.

i've softened on BYBO, i still don't think it's one of their best albums but it's getting more and more rotation at home..

― the surface noise (electricsound), Friday, 2 April 2004 00:36 (twenty-two years ago)

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