It was an inspired choice for The Monthly to pick Robert Forster (ex-Go Betweens) as their regular music columnist, and his piece each month is pretty much the first I read. This book is a collection of his recent album reviews, finishing with some touching vignettes about his recently deceased songwriting partner Grant Mclellan.
It’s an awesome collection of pieces, probably because he was allowed to write about any album or topic he liked; Delta Goodrem sitting alongside Cat Power and the Yeah Yeah Yeas. Clearly most excited by older artists like Leonard Cohen, The Monkees and Dylan, he finds plenty to like about recent stuff (Antony / Franz Ferdinand etc..) and talks with authority about the musician-stuff, like the mix on albums, and the choice of songs, the order, and the tempo.
If a man can make me read (and be fascinated by) a chapter about Delta’s recordings, he’s a rare talent, and this man has it. 5 stars.