Near the top of the new CD pile is the Go-Betweens's latest, Oceans Apart, which is also probably their best album to date. A rare event for a group that's been releasing new material for around a quarter century. Many bands that started after them have already moved to the next stage of the typical pop band career, merely regurgitating the hits in new greatest hits albums and from state fair stages. The Go-Bets's greatest hits album may be the best place to start, but this release shows that they continue to improve. For a decade they disbanded and the songwriting core of the band, Robert Foster and Grant McLennan, released lackluster solo albums. Their fans are glad they reunited, and presumably they are too, because this is their third album since they got back together. Although the two appear to write their own separate songs that mix the transcendent with ordinary things, being in the same band produces a unique chemistry.

I was square into the hole
there was something in my soul

What could I do
but follow the calling

  ¶ 12:04 PM