Perhaps less interesting to the neophyte - though potentially more rewarding - is the much-heralded acoustic set on the DVD. Yes, Go-Betweens fans, it is everything you imagined and more. Robert Forster and Grant McLennan sit in a room together and basically give every viewer the Go-Betweens conversation they've always wanted to have. The two songwriters discuss the texture and background of their songs, speak about the history of the group, and sound spectacular singing with acoustic guitar accompaniment. Granted, this might not be so interesting for non-fans; to the uninitiated, it can come across an awful lot like just two older Australian men talking about music. So while this reviewer did find what Forster and McLennan had to say very interesting, she can see where those who aren't already plugged into the sunlit circuit of the Go-Betweens wouldn't feel that spark.
In fact, such is the situation of this entire album: if you are already a Go-Betweens fan, honestly, That Striped Sunlight Sound is perfect for you. But, if you have yet to connect with this gentle band, then it would definitely be better to start elsewhere in their catalogue. And maybe that's a good thing - after all, when it comes to discovering a band like the Go-Betweens, what better time than now?
Reviewed by Megan Giddings
This review is also posted on The Modern Pea Pod.
Edited: [!--GH--]
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