What makes This Is Not the Way Home by The Cruel Sea notable?

This album is notable for its commercial success, reaching number 8 on the ARIA Albums Chart, showcasing the band's growing popularity in Australia. Additionally, it helped establish The Cruel Sea as a significant force within the Australian indie rock movement of the early '90s, influencing subsequent artists and bands. Released in 1991, This Is Not the Way Home marked The Cruel Sea's third studio album during a period of increasing recognition following their breakthrough with the album, The Honeysuckle Suite. The band was solidifying their unique sound, blending rock with elements of surf music, while refining their lyrical approach as they navigated the competitive Australian music scene.

How many songs are on This Is Not the Way Home?

This Is Not the Way Home has 12 tracks, running approximately 49 minutes.

This Is Not the Way Home

The Cruel Sea · 1991

49 min · 12 tracks · indie rock

A fusion of gritty guitar riffs and introspective lyrics, capturing the raw essence of early '90s Australian indie rock.

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Top tracks — play these first

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It’s Alright (’Cause She Loves Me) — This track opens the album with an infectious energy and catchy chorus that encapsulates the band's style, merging upbeat instrumentation with reflective lyrics about love and reassurance.
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Cry for Me — With its haunting melody and emotive vocal delivery, this song delves into themes of longing and heartache, representing the emotional depth that characterizes much of the album.
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This Is Not the Way Home — The title track serves as a poignant reflection on feelings of dislocation and searching for belonging, effectively summarizing the album's overarching themes through its thoughtful lyrics and engaging arrangement.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong guitar work and introspective lyrics but lacks standout compositions throughout.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of gritty guitar riffs that dominate the majority of tracks, creating a raw and energetic sound.
Several tracks incorporate shifts in tempo, with moments of intensity followed by more subdued sections, particularly evident in the transition from 'Fangin’ Hoons' to 'This Is Not the Way Home'.
Lyrically, the album balances introspective themes with a conversational tone, often reflecting personal experiences and emotions.
The final track, 'High Plains Drifter', stands out with its slower pace and atmospheric instrumentation, providing a contrasting closure to the preceding energy.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

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 It’s Alright (’Cause She Loves Me) 4:23
2 Baby 5:10
3 4 3:10
4 Sure ’Nuff 4:00
5 Don’t Sell It 5:19
6 Cry for Me 5:23
7 Fangin’ Hoons 2:16
8 This Is Not the Way Home 4:06
9 Shadder 3:27
10 I Feel 3:19
11 You Are Gone 4:54
12 High Plains Drifter 3:46

What to play next

Listen next

The Honeymoon Is Over

1993

Go back to

Down Below

1989

Full The Cruel Sea discography Artists like The Cruel Sea

indie rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata