Between a Rock and a Hard Place cover

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Australian Crawl · 1985

43 min · 11 tracks · pop music

Bright melodies and catchy hooks intertwine with reflective lyrics, encapsulating the spirit of Australian pop in the mid-80s.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Two Can Play — This opening track sets an upbeat tone for the album with its infectious rhythm and playful lyrics about love and relationships, showcasing the band’s signature sound.
  • →
    If This Is Love — This song stands out for its introspective lyrics paired with a catchy chorus, reflecting on the complexities of romance while maintaining an accessible pop sensibility.
  • →
    Always the Way — Closing the album on a reflective note, this track features poignant lyrics exploring themes of life and choices, highlighting the band’s ability to blend depth with melody.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100
Foothills
Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album features catchy melodies and reflective lyrics but lacks standout depth or innovation.

What we noticed

  • The first half of the album maintains a consistent upbeat tempo, while the second half introduces slower tracks that create a contrast in energy.
  • Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the melodic hooks.
  • The lyrics often reflect personal and social themes, with a storytelling approach that varies from track to track.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
5/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Two Can Play 3:48
  • 2 I'd Do It 3:33
  • 3 Divers Down 3:07
  • 4 If This Is Love 3:26
  • 5 Two Hearts 3:55
  • 6 Trouble Spot Rock 4:46
  • 7 You Told Me 3:06
  • 8 My Day at the Beach 3:51
  • 9 Always the Way 5:37
  • 10 Newly Weds in the Morning 3:07
  • 11 Land of Hope and Glory 5:08

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata