Of all Australian imports, The Go-Betweens remain the most consistently ignored in favour of pop starlets, tea-time soap operas and lager that's best consumed cold. A band that has undergone several line-up reworkings revolving around the songwriting duo Grant McLennan and Robert Forster, The Go-Betweens released their debut album in 1978 and released seven LPs before taking an 11-year hiatus which came to a glorious end in 2000.

Working at a dependably high standard, McLennan and Forster have crafted a collection of songs that nip at the heels of their very best work. McLennan cites early Wailers, soul music, the Pet Shop Boys and Andy Warhol's parties of the 1960s as unlikely influences on the record; throw in a nod to old time country, 1980s shoegazing and wistful folk music and you're on your way to understanding Oceans Apart. The only drawback? With ten tracks Oceans Apart is tormenting in its concision. A prolific band when they have encouragement and momentum behind them, let's hope The Go-Betweens are adopting a new, little but often approach.