1978–1990 (sometimes The Go-Betweens 1978–1990) is a 1990 compilation album by Australian band The Go-Betweens.[3][4][5] 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.

1978–1990
Compilation album by The Go-Betweens
Released	1990
Recorded	1978–1990
Genre	Alternative rock
Label	Beggars Banquet Records
Producer	John Davies, The Go-Betweens, Tony Cohen, John Brand, Richard Preston, Graig Leon, Mark Wallis, Alex Fergusson, Dale Griffin
The Go-Betweens chronology
The Able Label Singles (1986) 1978–1990 (1990) Bellavista Terrace: Best of The Go-Betweens (1999)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Robert Christgau	A [2]

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."[6] 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."[2]

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."[7]

Track listing

(All songs by Grant McLennan and Robert Forster)

1. "Karen" (1978) – 4:03 (Included on vinyl edition of album only)
   • Recorded May 1978, Brisbane. Originally released as a single
2. "Hammer the Hammer" (1982) – 2:50
   • Recorded January 1982, Melbourne. Originally released as a single
3. "Cattle and Cane" (1983) – 4:02
   • Recorded October 1982, Eastbourne. Originally released on Before Hollywood
4. "Man O'Sand to Girl O'Sea" (1983) – 3:26
   • Recorded August 1983, Sussex. Originally released as a single
5. "Bachelor Kisses" (1984) – 3:29
   • Recorded July 1984, London. Originally released on Spring Hill Fair
6. "Draining the Pool For You" (1984) – 4:16
   • Recorded May 1984, France. Originally released on Spring Hill Fair
7. "Spring Rain" (1986) – 3:06
   • Recorded November 1985, London. Originally released on Liberty Belle and the Black Diamond Express
8. "The Clarke Sisters" (1987) – 3:17
   • Recorded January 1987, London. Originally released on Tallulah
9. "Right Here" (1987) – 3:52
   • Recorded December 1986, London. Originally released on Tallulah
10. "Bye Bye Pride" (1987) – 4:03
    • Recorded January 1987, London. Originally released on Tallulah
11. "The House That Jack Kerouac Built" (1987) – 4:41
    • Recorded January 1987, London. Originally released on Tallulah
12. "Streets of Your Town" (1988) – 3:34
    • Recorded May 1988, Sydney. Originally released on 16 Lovers Lane
13. "Love is a Sign" (1988) – 4:13
    • Recorded May 1988, Sydney. Originally released on 16 Lovers Lane
14. "8 Pictures" (1981) – 4:49
    • Recorded July 1981, Melbourne. Originally released on Send Me A Lullaby;– 4:49 (Included on vinyl edition of album only)
15. "I Need Two Heads" (1980) – 2:33
    • Recorded April 1980, Scotland. Originally released as a single
16. "When People Are Dead" (1987) – 4:29
    • Recorded January 1987, London. Originally released as a single B side
17. "The Sound Of Rain" (1978) – 3:05 (Included on vinyl edition of album only)
    • Recorded November 1978, Brisbane. Previously unreleased.
18. "People Say" (1979) – 2:40
    • Recorded May 1978, Brisbane. Originally released as a single
19. "World Weary (1981) – 1:41
    • Recorded April 1981, Sydney. Originally released as a single B side
20. "Rock and Roll Friend" (1988) – 3:34
    • Recorded August 1988, London. Originally released as a single B side
21. "Dusty In Here" (1983) – 4:10
    • Recorded August 1983, Eastbourne. Originally released on Before Hollywood
22. "A King In Mirrors" (1984) – 2:58 (Included on vinyl edition of album only)
    • Recorded December 1983, London, for David Jensen Show
23. "Second-Hand Furniture" (1984) – 4:13
    • Recorded October 1984, London, for John Peel Show
24. "This Girl, Black Girl" (1983) – 2:31
    • Recorded August 1983, Sussex. Originally released as a single B side
25. "Don't Call Me Gone" (1987) – 2:17
    • Recorded January 1987, London. Originally released as a single B side
26. "Mexican Postcard" (1987) – 2:12 (Included on vinyl edition of album only)
    • Recorded August 1988, London. Originally released as a single B side
27. "You Won't Find It Again" (1988) – 3:21
    • Recorded January 1988, Sydney. Previously unreleased

References