With Died Pretty back on the Homebake and BDO stages, it feels appropriate for their 1986 debut Free Dirt to get the Aztec Music reissue treatment. What was initially a 9 track release has become a 28 track, two hour journey through the birth of one of Australia’s more important bands.
The early singles and EPs are included, plus demos and live recordings which gives the listener a real sense of understanding of what was occurring within the band and the Sydney music scene at the time. Died Pretty did not sit comfortably within the garage punk and Detroit rock sound that the prevalent in Sydney. Theirs was more textured and grander, and failed to initially find an appreciative ear.
Critical acclaim quickly followed the release of their first 2 singles and EP, and these are the real prize within this reissue. ‘Out Of The Unknown’, the 10 minute ‘Mirror Blues’, ‘Ambergries’ and ‘Desperate Hours’ are near perfect, and the ideal way to introduce yourself to Free Dirt.
Free Dirt itself was such a solid debut release, a rich, diverse mix of attitude and belief in one self. Died Pretty were on their own musical path, and they had delivered a clear statement of purpose. It would send the band overseas to fanatical fans, and set them on the path to two decades in the spotlight.
With the band’s debut, and their 1992 masterpiece Doughboy Hollow having been reissued, I eagerly wait for their second album, the 1988 Lost to be treated the same way.
Review by Kevin Bull
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Through The Church, I was turned on to many Australian and New Zealand bands such as Ups & Downs, The Triffids, Straitjacket Fits, and of course, Died Pretty. I was excited to hear about this, but when I ordered the reissue from Amazon.com (USA), I was informed that they could not get it (!) and THEN sent me the Citidal version without the bonus material and charged me more than this reissue costs! I promptly sent it back to them, but I have to ask: How can I get this reissue in the U.S.?? FREE DIRT is a classic from a band that should have been more popular. Thanks,
Keith in Kansas City, Missouri
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