:: The Whitlams - Truth, Beauty And A Picture Of You (Best Of The Whitlams)

The Whitlams

The Whitlams formed in 1992 in Newtown, Australia and began their career performing acoustically on Saturday afternoons at the Sandringham Hotel in King Street, Newtown. They’ve have released six albums and received numerous ARIA nominations but were at their peak when they collected three during 1998 with, Song Of The Year (‘No Aphrodisiac’), Best Independent Release ‘Eternal Nightcap’ and the big one, Best Group. Although the band line-up has changed numerous times the current line-up has remained unchanged since 2001. I’ll admit I’ve never been a big fan but it’s not until you put some of their best 20 songs together back to back and listen to them, and I mean really listen to them, that you appreciate the talent of this band and their lively front-man, Tim Freedman. There is a range of Whitlams sincerity on this record, from new songs like ‘Little Cloud’s’ to old classics ‘Blow Up The Pokies’ (1999) and ‘Gough’ (1993). Each a fitting reminder to help you realise why this band were so popular, the height of which came via the immense ‘No Aphrodisiac’. It secured Triple J’s numero uno position on the hottest 100 way back in 1997. The collection is a nice mix with timely tunes like ‘Thank You (For Loving Me At My Worst)’ a welcome and honest appraisal from an act (and guy) that never lost focus or fell for gimmicks, and for that, we say thank you Whitlams for being true.