LITTLE RIVER BAND (w/John Farnham) – The Net ’83 [Remastered +2 bonus] (2022), MP3+FLAC

As requested, here’s the LITTLE RIVER BAND 1983’s album “The Net“, remastered with a crystal clear sound and including two bonus tracks. LRB is one of Australia’s most successful bands achieving commercial success in both Australia and the United States. They have sold more than 30 million records, and while their peak was in the late Seventies, the group continued releasing impressive albums.

In 1982 original vocalist Glenn Shorrock left Little River Band and resumed his solo career. John Farnham took the mic slot, and with him the band recorded three LP’s. “The Net” is the first with Farnham.
The album, released in 1983, marked a transition for the band into the ’80s sound with a bright commercial AOR sound, quality songwriting, and the unique touch brought by Farnham’s vocals. Also the LP marked the debut of guitarist Stephen Housden and the final featuring original member Beeb Birtles. Housden would go on to become a key member of the band bringing a melodic rock feel, while Birtles’ departure marked the end of an era.
Indeed, and while often underrated, “The Net” is a stupendous first half of the ’80s AOR / radio-friendly rock&pop album, enriched by LRB classic multi-part harmonies and a pristine production.

The early LRB soft rock / FM sound becomes more dynamic on “The Net”. They still have the great vocal harmonies on this album, but Farnham’s vocals add a tougher edge to the music and Stephen Housden gets to stretch out on guitar here adding some brilliant lead guitar work to songs like ‘Down on the Border’, ‘Sleepless Nights’, and ‘Falling’. Founding member Beeb Birtles sings a strong lead on ‘Mr. Socialite’, while bassist Wayne Nelson rocks ‘Easy Money’.
The single hit, the luxury ‘We Two’, is on this album – it really surprised the fans when debuted on the radio with its midtempo melody and ‘hero’ vocals by Farnham – the song didn’t sounded like Seventies LRB at all, but classy AOR for sure!

Guitarist Graham Goble was the main writer in the group by this time, and came up with strong lyrics to match his memorable melodies. ‘The Net’ also exposed John Farnham to major audience for a first time.
For years out of print and hard to find, finally a couple of years ago Goble decided to remaster / reissue the album and the results are fantastic.
Highly Recommended

01 – You’re Driving Me Out Of My Mind (Remastered 2022)
02 – We Two (Remastered 2022)
03 – No More Tears (Remastered 2022)
04 – Mr. Socialite (Remastered 2022)
05 – Down On The Border (Remastered 2022)
06 – The Danger Sign (Remastered 2022)
07 – Falling (Remastered 2022)
08 – Sleepless Nights (Remastered 2022)
09 – Easy Money (Remastered 2022)
10 – The Net (Remastered 2022)
BONUS TRACKS:
11 – St. Louis
12 – Down On The Border (Single Version)

John Farnham – lead and backing vocals
Wayne Nelson – bass, lead and backing vocals
Graham Goble – guitars, backing vocals
Beeb Birtles – guitars, backing vocals
Stephen Housden – lead guitar, backing vocals
David Herschfelder – keyboards
Derek Pellicci – drums

MP3 FLAC