http://www.go-betweens.net/

I don't know if there are any other Go-Betweens followers besides myself and MendesCity here, but I'm completely stunned by this. The Go-Betweens are one of the few bands that I've followed faithfully from my teenaged days until now. I think they're the finest band ever to come out of Australia, and, at the risk of committing an extreme hyperbole, I have to say I think Grant McLennan and Robert Forster were the finest post-Beatles song-writing team in popular music.

Grant's 1992 solo recording Horsebreaker Star is one of my favourite albums of all time - he really came into his own on this record. Every song is a keeper, with the material ranging from pure pop to unsentimental balladry to brilliant country-tinged rock that will stick in your head for weeks. Mclennan knocked out this record in about a week with Nashville studio musicians and background vocals from Syd Straw, and I'd certainly say it's one of the most consistent and enjoyable pop albums I've ever heard.

I don't expect that many of you will have heard Grant McLennan's music, but if you ever see one of his albums or a Go-Betweens record in a bargain bin or second hand shop, I really recommend giving it a chance because I think he's one of the great unheard songwriters of our time.

Here is a link to an article written by Robert Christgau of the Village Voice around the time of the release of Horsebreaker Star. Bob Christgau was a very vocal and passionate supporter of the Go-Betweens and Grant, and I think he played a fairly large part in keeping their records in print. It's the closest I can come to producing a eulogy at the moment, I guess.

http://www.robertchristga...nan-95.php

edit - a nicely worded memoriam has been posted on Lo-Max's website:

http://www.lomaxrecords.c...ews_id=166
[Edited 5/7/06 19:56pm]

I'm not familiar with their music beyond a few things, but I'm sorry for the loss.

Horrible news. He went way too soon.

horrible news... i love Go-Betweens. Cattle and Cane still sounds amazing.

MendesCity said:

he was only 48.

It's doubly sad as the G-Bs were experiencing some of the greatest success, and, unlike almost all of their contemporaries, making some of the finest music of their career.