1978–1990 (Go-Betweens album)


1978–1990 is a 1990 compilation album by Australian band the Go-Betweens. The album draws together music spanning the band's career from their beginnings in Brisbane to their 1989 breakup, including singles, B-sides, songs recorded for broadcast and previously unreleased material.

Reception

Melody Maker said, "I find myself holding a package containing some of the most shockingly accurate songs about life and love I've ever heard. The fact the Go-Betweens never became massive is a disgusting injustice – but here's an opportunity to discover their dazzling brilliance." Robert Christgau said, "Half best-of, half collectorama, this gets you coming and going: you had no idea the album highlights would mesh into perfect pop, and you had no idea the 45-rpm obscurities would coalesce into imperfect pop."
NME noted the album "spans their age, from the curiously unhinged art-pop of two Brisbane beatniks with a Phil Ochs/Patti Smith/Lee Remick obsession, to the smooth, accomplished craft of their last album."

Track listing

  1. "Karen" – 4:03
  2. *Recorded May 1978, Brisbane. Originally released as a single.
  3. "Hammer the Hammer" – 2:50
  4. *Recorded January 1982, Melbourne. Originally released as a single.
  5. "Cattle and Cane" – 4:02
  6. *Recorded October 1982, Eastbourne. Originally released on Before Hollywood.
  7. "Man O'Sand to Girl O'Sea" – 3:26
  8. *Recorded August 1983, Sussex. Originally released as a single.
  9. "Bachelor Kisses" – 3:29
  10. *Recorded July 1984, London. Originally released on Spring Hill Fair.
  11. "Draining the Pool For You" – 4:16
  12. *Recorded May 1984, France. Originally released on Spring Hill Fair.
  13. "Spring Rain" – 3:06
  14. *Recorded November 1985, London. Originally released on Liberty Belle and the Black Diamond Express.
  15. "The Clarke Sisters" – 3:17
  16. *Recorded January 1987, London. Originally released on Tallulah.
  17. "Right Here" – 3:52
  18. *Recorded December 1986, London. Originally released on Tallulah.
  19. "Bye Bye Pride" – 4:03
  20. *Recorded January 1987, London. Originally released on Tallulah.
  21. "The House That Jack Kerouac Built" – 4:41
  22. *Recorded January 1987, London. Originally released on Tallulah.
  23. "Streets of Your Town" – 3:34
  24. *Recorded May 1988, Sydney. Originally released on 16 Lovers Lane.
  25. "Love is a Sign" – 4:13
  26. *Recorded May 1988, Sydney. Originally released on 16 Lovers Lane.
  27. "8 Pictures" – 4:49
  28. *Recorded July 1981, Melbourne. Originally released on Send Me A Lullaby.
  29. "I Need Two Heads" – 2:33
  30. *Recorded April 1980, Scotland. Originally released as a single.
  31. "When People Are Dead" – 4:29
  32. *Recorded January 1987, London. Originally released as a single B side.
  33. "The Sound Of Rain" – 3:05
  34. *Recorded November 1978, Brisbane. Previously unreleased.
  35. "People Say" – 2:40
  36. *Recorded May 1978, Brisbane. Originally released as a single.
  37. "World Weary – 1:41
  38. *Recorded April 1981, Sydney. Originally released as a single B side.
  39. "Rock and Roll Friend" – 3:34
  40. *Recorded August 1988, London. Originally released as a single B side.
  41. "Dusty In Here" – 4:10
  42. *Recorded August 1983, Eastbourne. Originally released on Before Hollywood.
  43. "A King In Mirrors" – 2:58
  44. *Recorded December 1983, London, for David Jensen Show.
  45. "Second-Hand Furniture" – 4:13
  46. *Recorded October 1984, London, for John Peel Show.
  47. "This Girl, Black Girl" – 2:31
  48. *Recorded August 1983, Sussex. Originally released as a single B side.
  49. "Don't Call Me Gone" – 2:17
  50. *Recorded January 1987, London. Originally released as a single B side.
  51. "Mexican Postcard" – 2:12
  52. *Recorded August 1988, London. Originally released as a single B side.
  53. "You Won't Find It Again" – 3:21
  54. *Recorded January 1988, Sydney. Previously unreleased.