Collected Works
Hunters & Collectors · 1990
60 min · 16 tracks · new wave
A rich tapestry of anthemic choruses and rhythmic grooves that blends rock's intensity with new wave's melodic flair.
Top tracks — play these first
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Throw Your Arms Around Me — This track stands out for its heartfelt lyrics and sweeping melodies, encapsulating the band's ability to create emotionally resonant music. It has become one of their signature songs and a staple at live performances.
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Everything’s on Fire — The song features powerful instrumentation and an infectious chorus, showcasing the band's knack for combining introspective themes with vibrant soundscapes. Its urgent energy makes it a highlight of the collection.
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Wishing Well — With its driving rhythm and reflective lyrics, this track exemplifies the band's blend of rock and new wave influences, offering both depth and catchiness that resonates with listeners.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting but lacks a cohesive flow due to its compilation nature.
What we noticed
- Many songs utilize call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the communal feel typical of new wave anthems.
- The first half of the album maintains a high energy level, while the latter half introduces more introspective themes and slower tempos.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- anthemic choruses for sing-alongs
- rich emotional crescendos throughout
- rhythmic grooves for dancing
- reflective moments with friends
- for late-night drives
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek minimalistic soundscapes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1990, Collected Works marked a pivotal moment for Hunters & Collectors as it compiled their most impactful tracks from the late '80s. This album followed their critically acclaimed albums Human Frailty (1986) and Ghost Nation (1989), solidifying their standing in the Australian music scene during a time of growing international recognition.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Midnight Oil· INXS· The Church
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Faraway Man 3:08
- 2 Throw Your Arms Around Me 3:52
- 3 Inside a Fireball 4:05
- 4 Dog 3:40
- 5 Everything’s on Fire 4:25
- 6 Do You See What I See? 3:38
- 7 Around the Flame 3:51
- 8 Give Me a Reason 3:40
- 9 Wishing Well 4:12
- 10 Talking to a Stranger 3:52
- 11 Say Goodbye 3:51
- 12 January Rain 4:25
- 13 Back on the Breadline 4:04
- 14 Is There Anybody in There? 3:25
- 15 Still Hanging 'Round 3:14
- 16 Breakneck Road 2:40
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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