"Split Enz meets Billy Joel ? Tom Waits with a smooth, lilting voice ? Catchy, memorable tunes wrapped around razor sharp lyrics.... The Whitlams are an outstanding band that writes and sings about contemporary Australian issues - gambling addiction, the Indonesian rape of East Timor, a city more intent on winning the Olympics than on housing its down and outs...If that sounds too heavy, then this album isn't. Virtually every song is memorable. Every tune has the ability to seep into your consciousness and replay itself over and over. There are lots of nice harmonies and lovely musical passages. The band is supported by strings and brass to create a full, lush sound. Tim Freedman is an easy singer - only his lyrics bite.Absolutely on a par with albums like "Piano Man" or "Heart Attack and Vine" when it comes to social comment, "Love This City" is far easier to listen to than either. It's a bit like being confronted by a mugger in a Salvation Army uniform."
Excellent
12/22/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this album cynical that the Whitlams could produce something as good as "Eternal Nightcap" twice. I was amazed to discover an album even better. One of those albums that gets better every time you hear it. My only regret is that it is difficult to get in the United States. '400 miles from Darwin' is an excellent commentary that proves that it is Tim Freedman's lyrics that separate the Whitlams from bands that are only "very good.""
Great Album ! Awesome Band ! - Must have
Roz Brown | 11/24/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you enjoyed "Eternal Nightcap" (one of the best albums Ive heard in recent years) then you'll love "Love this City". Although its not as easy to listen to the first time as Eternal Nightcap this album grows on you... and I think it is just as good, Standout songs include: "Thank you for loving me at my worst", a funny number that has no meaning called "chunky chunky Air Guitar" in the same vein of "I make Hamburger"(see the album "Undeniably the Whitlams"), "Blow up the Pokies" "love this City" "Unreliable" these are my favs at the moment but there all great so they'l change with my moods... The Whitlams are one of Australias best bands, All there albums should be purchased.... "Introducing the Whitlams" "Undeniably The Whitlams" "Eternal Nightcap" and "love this City"-- Get Em"
(You gotta) Love this CD!
Roz Brown | London, United Kingdom | 04/04/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Whitlams are a piano-based pop outfit from Sydney (think Ben Folds Five meets Elvis Costello's lyrics). Their strength has always been in fine songwriting. Tim Freedman is the master of a clever lyric - example: 'It could have been the beginning of the end, if I wasn't already in the middle' from 'Thank You (for loving me at my worst)', an uptempo track or 'Time' which remembers old girlfriends - 'Been some months since she came around lying where she used to lie'. The orchestrations on this album are lush - lots of strings and brass. 'Love This City' has a fuller sound than their previous album 'Eternal Nightcap', which only adds to their beauty. Do yourself a favour - give this album a listen."
You've gotta love this CD
Adelaide Drew | Adelaide, Australia | 02/11/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Tim Freedman is probably one of the most gifted writers the Australian music scene has ever produced. His melodies and lyrics are beautiful, and he can turn the most depressing subject into a masterpiece of piano brilliance.Love This City is The Whitlams 4th album, and follows the critically acclaimed and commercially successful Eternal Nightcap. LTC isn't as dark and depressing as EN, and Tim has said a few times that it reflects his (and the band's) generally happier mood when writing this CD, especially compared to EN (which was written after the death of one of Tim's close friends). He packs more catchy hooks and pop melodies onto LTC, but it remains a classic piano rock album.Make the World Safe, the first track, is a very simple and catchy ballad. It's not an outstanding track, but it's one you'll have no problem attaching to. Thankyou (for loving at my worst) is probablt The Whitlams most accessible ever track - it's rocky, has great lyrics, some killer hooks and is immensly enjoyable to listen to, and sing along to. Chunky Chunky Air Guitar is easily the worst track on the album - to the extent that the band don't bother playing it at live shows anymore, because they get booed. It's not a terrible track, it's just not very Whitlamy, and seems an amatuer effort. Pretty As You is a bit of a filler track, it lacks a killer blow, but it's worth listening to. You Gotta Love This City compiles Tim's feelings about the Sydney Olympics - as so cleverly described by another reviewer, a city that cares more about getting the games than looking after it's homeless. This song is thought provoking for it's lyrics more than it's music, although the chorus is quite enjoyable. God Drink at the Sando was written in 1997, and is the song that most resembles the EN work. It's a pleasant, sad song, but it doesn't seem out of place here, despite its age. Blow Up the Pokies is an outstanding track. It combines some beautiful piano tunes with an amazing hook and some of the most sad, beautiful lyrics ever. Never has Australia's gambling problem been so beautifully captured - this track really makes you sit up with it's heartful emotion. 400 Miles From Darwin is an interesting take on the East Timor situation, written before ET became independant. It takes the view of people in the future wondering how we could ignore Timor just as we had ignored the Holocaust - and it uses a very clever piece of irony to get the point across. The music is quite decent, with some subtle work in the verses, but lacks punch. Time has a more rousing chorus and whilst the issues might not be as important it's an enjoyable, if shallow song. Made Me Hard is excellent, and it feels more emotional, carried away by Tim's ever excellent voice (something which as always is a highlight of this CD). High Ground is back to the average Whitlams - it lacks any killer punch, although again the chorus is strong, but is always easy and fun to listen to. Unreliable is one of the few songs on the CD not written by Tim (Made Me Hard isn't either) but it's excellent. It's very simple, but compellingly so, and it grabs with with it's simple message and dry humour. The final line is simply heart breaking - a great overall track. Her Floor Is My Ceiling isn't brilliant, but again it's quite easy to listen to. The final track, There's No-one, is far and away my favourite of the CD. Tim's piano playing, lyric writing and vocals all combine at their absolute best to create a melodic and melancholy feeling with just a hint of power - an amazing song, and a fantastic way to finish the album.Simply superb, this CD shows the Whitlams (and Tim Freedman) at their brilliant best."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1
