We’re nearly a decade removed from the untimely passing of Grant McLennan and, for many, the hurt of this loss is yet to subside. He left behind a remarkable legacy in the form of The Go-Betweens, whose direct inspiration and influence resonates to this day in indie pop both here and abroad.
The archives of material documenting their rise from lo-fi Brisbane dreamers to international critical darlings have begun to be explored through G Stands for Go-Betweens. Its first volume, following the band through its inception, early singles and first three albums, has arrived in style. Even when the spectrum of the band’s canon is as limited as it is here, it’s still exhausting – essays, reflections, demos, live sessions and even some of McLennan’s non-musical writings; all lovingly assembled by surviving Go-Between Robert Forster.
The fascinating aspects are twofold: Sonically, we move from the scrappy Hollywood daydream of Lee Remick to Cattle and Cane, which is widely regarded to be one of the greatest songs ever written. Visually, we see the latter come to life through early handwritten lyrics and Foster’s touching liner notes. This is a truly delightful insight into the single step that launched the journey of a lifetime.
BY DAVID JAMES YOUNG
