The Go-Betweens: Bright Yellow Bright Orange

By RUSSELL BAILLIE

(Herald rating: * * * )

Oz veterans the Go-Betweens are certainly acting very Australian - after years of drought there's been a flash flood. This is the second album from Robert Forster and Grant McLennan's reunion, following the ban's split in 1989. It was recorded in Melbourne shortly before they popped over for a show late last year. Like its post-reunion predecessor The Friends of Rachel Worth, it harks back to the pair's early work with its unadorned acoustic-framed alt-rock touched by the occasional country twang - Old Mexico in particular sounds like a variation on early classic Bachelor Kisses.

Throughout, McLennan sings the wistful numbers and catchy choruses while Forster makes wry observations in his speak-sing voice. The 10 songs might lack production punch or surprises in the arrangements but tracks like Too Much of One Thing, the suburban vignette of Mrs Morgan and Caroline and I are as beautifully crafted, literate and memorably tuneful as anything they've done. And this shows good things can come of a musical mid-life crisis.

Label: Festival Mushroom