Frontline
Redgum · 1984
45 min · 10 tracks · traditional folk music
A blend of poignant storytelling and evocative melodies that reflect Australia's cultural landscape through a folk lens.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
I’ve Been to Bali Too — This track became an anthem reflecting Australian attitudes towards tourism and national identity, marked by its catchy chorus and satirical lyrics.
-
→
ASIO — A provocative commentary on government surveillance, this song showcases Redgum's willingness to tackle controversial themes head-on with sharp lyricism.
-
→
Spirit of the Land — This track connects deeply with Indigenous rights and environmental themes, encapsulating Redgum's commitment to social justice through heartfelt storytelling.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong storytelling and cohesive themes but lacks standout production elements.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a well-known single that sets a narrative tone, followed by tracks that explore various social issues through storytelling.
- Several songs feature layered harmonies and acoustic instrumentation, creating a rich folk sound that is consistent throughout the record.
- The pacing varies, with some tracks maintaining a steady tempo while others slow down to emphasize lyrical content, particularly in the latter half.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
7/10
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.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
-
ASIO
The verse shifts to a direct address about privacy invasions, revealing personal and collective fears regarding state authority.
By employing a first-person perspective, the writing makes the political intensely personal, creating a sense of urgency around civil liberties.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 I’ve Been to Bali Too 3:45
- 2 ASIO 4:14
- 3 Friday Night 3:07
- 4 Spirit of the Land 4:54
- 5 Gladstone Pier 7:44
- 6 Spark of the Heart 4:36
- 7 Still Life 3:43
- 8 Working Girls 4:40
- 9 Beyond Reason 4:43
- 10 Hira 3:29
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.