Watershed (Grant McLennan album)
| Watershed | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1991 | |||
| Recorded | September and October 1990 | |||
| Studio | Paradise, Chinese Laundry, Sydney | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock | |||
| Length | 47:23 | |||
| Label | White Label (Mushroom) (Australia), Beggars Banquet (Europe) | |||
| Producer | Dave Dobbyn | |||
| Grant McLennan chronology | ||||
| ||||
Watershed is the debut solo album by Grant McLennan, founding member of the Go-Betweens released under the name G. W. McLennan.[1][2] The album was recorded nine months after the Go-Betweens called it quits and was released in 1991.
The album featured contributions by singer-songwriters Paul Kelly and Dave Dobbyn, ex-Go-Between Amanda Brown, and Phil Kakulas of Blackeyed Susans. The album peaked at No. 96 on the Australian album charts.[3]
Singles from the album were "Haven't I Been a Fool" (Europe only), "When Word Gets Around" and "Easy Come Easy Go".
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | [4] |
| Calgary Herald | C−[5] |
| Robert Christgau | A−[6] |
Robert Christgau noted that "the synthy guitar and hot drum programming put welcome glitz and steel into his romantic verse."[6] Musicologist Ian McFarlane said it was an "ambitious and highly personalised collection of songs charted McLennan's emotions in the wake of The Go-Betweens' break-up... [it] revealed McLennan to be, in turns, the introspective singer/songwriter or the carefree and gregarious performer."[7]
Melody Maker said, "People bleat on about Bobby Dylan, but it's been a good 16 years since [he] delivered anything as evocative as the choice moments on this record. GW stands in the shadow of a volcano singing his blessed heart out. Indeed, this some of the loveliest literate pop music you've heard."[8]
Track listing
All tracks written by Grant McLennan.
LP Side A:
- "When Word Gets Around" – 4:33
- "Haven't I Been a Fool" – 3:23
- "Haunted House" – 3:00
- "Stones for You" – 3:20
- "Easy Come Easy Go" – 4:00
- "Black Mule" – 4:45
LP Side B:
- "Putting the Wheels Back On" – 4:15
- "You Can't Have Everything" – 3:09
- "Sally's Revolution" – 3:57
- "Broadway Bride" – 3:42
- "Just Get That Straight" – 3:17
- "Dream About Tomorrow" – 5:57
Personnel
- Grant McLennan – guitars, vocals
- Paul Kelly
- Amanda Brown
- Dave Dobbyn – guitars, keyboards
- Huey Benjamin
- Ian Belton – bass
- James Cruickshank
- Kenny Davis Jnr
- "Diamond Jim" Elliott
- Phil Hall
- Phil Kakulas
- Francine McDougall
- Astrid Munday
- Sarah Peet
- Stephen Philip
- Kit Quarry
- Tim Rollinson – guitar
- Kathy Wemyss
Charts
| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[3] | 96 |
References
- ^ Nichols, David (2011). The Go-Betweens. Verse Chorus Press. p. 223.
- ^ The Rough Guide to Rock (3rd ed.). Rough Guides. 2003. p. 430.
- ^ a b Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 183.
- ^ Elrod, Norm. Watershed at AllMusic
- ^ Muretich, James (11 August 1991). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald. p. E2.
- ^ a b "G.W. McLennan". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ McFarlane 'The Go-Betweens' entry. Archived from the original on 29 August 2004. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ Jon Wilde (22 June 1991). "The Gush Hour". Melody Maker.