Died Pretty - FREE DIRT (Citadel Records) (also the PRE DEITY ep)

ya' know, i hear a lot of people talk about how great of a record that died pretty's DOUGHBOY HOLLOW is and while i finally did warm up to that record (took a long while though) , anyone who think it's this great Australian band's best has obviously not heard their stunning debut, FREE DIRT (1986). from beginning to end the record is full of stone-cold classics like "blue sky day" (love that mandolin!), the swooping "life to go (landsakes)", the bouncy "stoneage cinderella" and plenty of others. some folks complained about ron peno's vocals but i think the guy had a lot of charisma and soul and add to it brett myer's squirrelly, ringing guitars and that active rhythm section (chris welsh on drums and mark lock on bass.... oh and let's not forget about the keyboardist, frank brunetti) and you have one crackling band. this lineup lasted for one more record (the almost-as great LOST) and then the lineup changes came in to play ( i caught them twice in 1989 and both shows were terrific). to have the whole picture though you also have to have the 7 song ep that preceeded it, PRE DEITY (1985) that included gems like "Out of the Unknown" (one of the best songs the band ever recorded) and "Desperate Hours." not sure what these guys are up to these days , for all i know died pretty could still be active? far too many great records from the 80's band have been all but forgotten but please don't forget about these two.