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Great Australian Albums

Editorial Review

Editorial Review

Music documentaries aren't usually for everyone. If you're not a devout music nut, there's nothing more painful than listening to a muso waffling vaguely about the inspiration behind their lyrics. However, Great Australian Albums has avoided many of the self-indulgent pitfalls of music journalism.

Screening shortly after the Olympics, this series should ride happily on the wave of post-games patriotism. Australians are in the mood to embrace their own and now is an ideal time to take a fond look at the country's musical past.

The first episode of the second series tells the bittersweet tale of the Go-Betweens, who rocked gently to prominence in the late '80s, eventually breaking up despite the success of their final album, 16 Lovers Lane. Through interviews with the surviving band members, the documentary paints a picture of a band that lived in each other's pockets. Their dynamic was built around tangled relationships - old friendships, love affairs and rivalries - that were their strength and their downfall.

The story is illustrated by lovely grainy images of 1980s Sydney and by commentary from contemporary music figures, such as Ben Lee. This serves little purpose other than to add a little modern relevance for those who're still asking, "So, who are the Go-Betweens, again?"

Great Australian Albums returns to SBS on Saturday, September 6, at 10pm.

Shelley Tustin, August 2008

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