Most people know Robert Forster as one half of the driving force behind Australia’s beloved and brilliant Go-Betweens, along with musical partner, the late Grant McLennan. But rather than look backward with a lot of history that’s easily researchable (and everyone should have a copy of 16 Lovers Lane, anyway), let’s focus on the here-and-now, with Mr. Forster’s newest album, Inferno. This is his first solo album in four years and is a dynamic collection of songs ranging from exhilarating pop to epic aural sculptures.
Of the standout tracks, “One Bird In The Sky” is carried along by an exquisite violin melody, making it sweetly melancholic (and a stunning coda for the album); “I’m Gonna Tell It” has punch mixed in with smarts, making it the perfect balance of “power” pop (not “power pop”!); “Life Has Turned A Page” is an interesting contrast in its use of bongos and organ and “Inferno (Brisbane In Summer)” harkens back to Mr. Forster’s Go-Betweens’ style of classic pop.
This is not an album that one needs to overanalyze; it’s simply meant to be listened to, digested and then listened to again. It’s one of those pieces of work that quickly grows on you and lives with you
Inferno is currently available