Pop Down Under

In the late 1960s, Australia and New Zealand built their own brilliant pop underground: tough beat, wild psychedelia, soulful sirens and bright bubblegum, shaped by easy access to British and American sounds, plus a wealth of radio and TV. Some, including Olivia Newton-John and The Easybeats, chased international fame; others found success closer to home.

Pop Down Under is a sharp, thrilling survey of that scene, much of it every bit as strong as London, New York or LA. Highlights include Zoot’s Flying, Russell Morris’s seven-minute psych epic Part Three Into Paper Walls, The Atlantics’ Come On, and Valeria Vengers’ There’s a Scarlet River Flowing. Other highlights include Olivia Newton-John’s debut single Till You Say You’ll Be Mine, The Valentines, featuring Bon Scott, before AC/DC and The Vegetable Garden’s rare psych 45 Hypnotic Suggestion

Compiled by Bob Stanley.