1983’s ‘The Net’ was John Farnham’s first appearance for the Little River Band. Though not a complete success, there was enough here to suggest a big-time move was on the cards for them.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Little River Band (LRB)
ALBUM: The Net
LABEL: Capitol/EMI
SERIAL: ST 12273
YEAR: 1983
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Australia
LINEUP: John Farnham – vocals * Beeb Birtles, Graeham Goble, Stephen Housden – guitar, vocals * David Hirschfelder – keyboards * Wayne Nelson – bass, vocals * Derek Pellicci – drums, percussion
TRACK LISTING: 01 You’re Driving Me Out Of My Mind * 02 We Two * 03 No More Tears * 04 Mr Socialite * 05 Down On The Border * 06 The Danger Sign * 07 Falling * 08 Sleepless Nights * 09 Easy Money * 10 The Net
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Little River Band Background
It was 1983, and the Little River Band from Australia had embraced some changes. Glenn Shorrock had departed for a solo deal, and ‘Villain Of The Peace’ was the result of that outcome.
In came famed singer John Farnham, who was well known outside of rock circles in Australia. He was a prodigy of the Melbourne pop scene during the 60’s.
Many oldies will remember his single ‘Sadie The Cleaning Lady’. It was a far cry of what was to come for Farnham during the mid-late 80’s and beyond.
1983’s ‘The Net’ was John Farnham’s first appearance for the Little River Band. Though not a complete success, there was enough here to suggest a big-time move was on the cards for them.
The Songs
So what of ‘The Net’? It’s a buoyant mix of songs, mostly upbeat, and holds true to the Little River Band’s intent to keep things bouncing along.
The successful song on the album is the single ‘We Two’, which did well on the Aussie charts. I like many of the songs here admittedly.
The vocal choruses on ‘Mr Socialite are to die for. ‘Sleepless Nights’ has been a favourite of mine for decades. If I slap this album on, this track is always first in the queue.
‘Down On The Border’ is a cool Aussie cowpokey song, while ‘The Danger Sign’ drops into second gear. But with Farnham firing on all sixes, this strikes hot for AORsters.
Lots of guitar harmonics introduce ‘Falling’, which eventuates into a robust quirky rocker. Wayne Nelson takes the vocal lead on ‘Easy Money’, while the finale is the title-track ‘The Net’. It’s a regimented tune. From here I can kinda see how a song like ‘When Cathedrals Were White’ was written after listening to this.
In Summary
The album did well in the USA too. It featured two singles which entered the Top 40 Billboard Charts. ‘We Two’ #22 and ‘You’re Driving Me Out Of My Mind’ at #35.
At this stage, this would be the last album to feature Beeb Birtles, and drummer Derek Pellici. Though Derek would return for 1988’s ‘Monsoon’ album.
Little River Band fans should return to albums like ‘The Net’, ‘Time Exposure’, ‘Playin’ To Win’ and ‘No Reins’. All fantastic albums from a golden run by the band.
Little River Band on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
