In Your Bright Ray
Of the two former Go-Betweens now plying the solo trade, McLennan is the McCartney. Robert Forster mines deeper, reaches farther, and falls (when he falls) with more of a resounding splat. But McLennan, by keeping the artistic stakes lower, also keeps the peaks more consistent--and the rewards more of the immediate, heavenly-pop-hit variety. The title track wins big in the hooks department, and "One Plus One" is the Churchiest, carrying the scent traces of McLennan collaborator (in Jack Frost) and Church frontman Steve Kilbey. Scent: musky and dust blown. It goes well with the muted sweetness that's native to McLennan, but it's all good here--every song of it. Not risky, nor unique ... but tasty, substantial, and accomplished. Worth many spins.--Gavin McNett