Man, The Go-Betweens certainly were a fun and extremely talented bunch of Aussies, as you can see in this video for “Was There Anything I Could Do?” Their poppy but nowhere near cutesy sound and style bring to mind other 80s bands like Let’s Active, Prefab Sprout, The House of Love and The Mighty Lemon Drops, who were a much-needed contrast to the Descendents, Bad Brains and Naked Raygun that were blaring through my Walkman headphones at the time. Rest in peace, Grant McLennan.

“Streets Of Your Town” is timeless. A real beaut.

I was listening to way too much Propagandhi while mowing my lawn today, it’s so good for the soul and the mind but it can be a bit dangerous (I was this close to burning down a slaughterhouse). All that ferocity needs to be tempered a bit, so I thought back to my youth and conjured up the most soothing, pleasant, happy-place band I could. Prefab Sprout, a staple on the mighty WHTG (106.3, Eatontown, NJ!), was just the tonic needed.

I downloaded their fabulous CD “The Best of Prefab Sprout: A Life of Surprises” (1992) and have been completely immersed in their sprightly 80s Brit pop loveliness (think ABC meets Spandau Ballet meets Squeeze, but better) for the good majority of this evening. I’m even forgoing beer for wine (pinot noir), to be in the proper macho-free mood. I am also dressed like Ducky.

Paddy McAloon was a seriously talented songwriter and songsmith with some killer pipes (shades of Paul Weller?). Every song has brilliant guy/girl vocals, spry synth hooks and sublime orchestration.

“Appetite” is my favorite song, even though he’s a dead ringer for Lieutenant Jim Dangle in this video. I dare you not to like this.