Robert Forster's second solo album, 1993's
Calling from a Country Phone, was made in quite different circumstances than
Danger in the Past, his first post-
Go-Betweens effort. That album was recorded in Berlin with members of
the Bad Seeds playing and
Mick Harvey producing, and it reflected the big-city sophistication and style one would expect it to.
Calling was recorded at the same small studio in Brisbane where
the Go-Betweens cut their early singles with a band of local musicians backing
Forster on a batch of country-rock-influenced songs. They flicker back and forth between quietly restrained ballads and rambling rockers as
Forster delivers his usual poetically inclined lyrics in dramatic fashion. It's less
Bad Seeds this time and closer to the loose-limbed, barely-in-control sound of the early
Triffids. Like
Danger in the Past does, though, it shows that
Forster is more than able to fill an album with great songs all by himself. "Leave Here Satisfied" is an epic track that builds from a tender whisper to a whirling hurricane of sounds as
Forster details the ins and outs of a lost friendship, "Atlanta Lie Low"'s gentle acoustic sound melds perfectly with the wistfully rueful vocals, and "Beyond Their Law" is a fine country-rocker with some typically trenchant lyrics and a cinematic chorus. There's even a song that could have been a hit single with the right break. "Drop" has a classic chord progression, a limber vocal melody, and sweeping production that would have sounded perfect on college radio. Overall, it's a strong batch of songs given more impact by the variations within the arrangements and the different shades of blue
Forster paints the songs with; the smaller studio and less sophisticated band serve the record well, too, and it's one of the most energetic records
Forster has been a part of since the early days of
the GBs. People may wish
the Go-Betweens were still together and making their fine brand of music, but as long as their members make records as lively and enjoyable as
Calling from a Country Phone, their absence will be more or less tolerable.