Look no further than Aussie quintet {|Cold Chisel|}'s second album, 1979's {|Breakfast at Sweethearts|}, along with the band's eponymous debut disc of the previous year, for the material that took them from little-knowns to mighty {|pub rock|} monste... Read more

Look no further than Aussie quintet {|Cold Chisel|}'s second album, 1979's {|Breakfast at Sweethearts|}, along with the band's eponymous debut disc of the previous year, for the material that took them from little-knowns to mighty {|pub rock|} monsters and beyond. In fact, the songs on this album may comprise the best set of any of the band's non-compilation studio discs. But alas, it is a masterpiece tainted by a poor recording job. Cuts like the mean-streets stomper {|Conversations,|} the thudding {|Shipping Steel,|} and the drug-paranoia song {|The Door|} contain little of the venom they spewed forth when played live. Nevertheless, even the {|lo-fi|} subjugation of the numbers cannot scuttle the album. {|Don Walker|}'s songwriting -- and his storycrafting around local references -- could engage a listener underwater. With the volume wound well up on a decent stereo, the old-style rocker {|I'm Gonna Roll Ya|} and the band's blazing showstopper {|Goodbye Astrid|} will still go awfully close to putting cracks in the walls, while the earthy poetry and delicate piano of {|Plaza|} shiver the spine. Then there's the windswept {|Dresden,|} which unveils imagery of epic proportions: Old Dresden burns above the breeze/The traveler is on his knees/He watches sledge-wings dip and play/So far above the holy throne. Sadly, like a faded {|Rembrandt|}, this album isn't quite the original article, but it is still a must-have for anyone who appreciates gutsy {|rock & roll|} artistry. ~ Adrian Zupp Less