DiVinyls – DiVinyls

In 1991, Australia's Divinyls generated some controversy in the U.S. This, Divinyls' fourth album and their first in three years, was their biggest international hit, when lead singer Chrissie Amphlett sang about female masturbation. The irony concerning that particular song is that it's about as saucy as Play School's Big Ted and Jemima performing "The Teddy Bear's Picnic". Thanks largely to the notorious "I Touch Myself", the far from explicit PG-rated hit shouldn't have come as such a shock to American ears, which is seemingly the only way most overseas music fans, Americans in particular, know this Australian band, if they know them at all, and it did cause a bit of controversy upon its release.

At any rate, this self-titled CD offers exactly what one generally expects from the Divinyls: rockin' intensity combined with new wave-ish quirks and a strong melodic sense that, though not mind-blowing, is respectable and generally appealing. Fairly obviously in the interim three years the band has evolved. There is a more sophisticated production, and a fuller, lusher sound. Hardcore Divinyls enthusiasts will find the eerie "Love School" and infectious offerings like "Make Out Alright," "Bless My Soul (It's Rock-N-Roll)," and "I Touch Myself" to be well worth acquiring. The rest of the album is a much more stripped down affair and it does have its moments, like "Lay Your Body Down" and, in particular, "Follow Through", the latter of which comes closest to touching on Divinyls greatest moments.

DiVinyls – Desperate

Ask most people around the world (except Australians) how they know DiVinyls and they’ll likely answer, “I Touch Myself.” That’s a shame. The Australian rock band had a long and successful career filled with a handful of good-to-great albums. In fact, their 1983 debut, Desperate, is one of the most assured and energetic rock debuts you’re likely to hear. DiVinyls, especially their late singer and force of nature Chrissy Amphlett, seemed to arrive fully formed, ready to rock and roll you right into submission. By the time DiVinyls had released their debut, they had already been regularly gigging for a few years. Many of its songs had been around the block, with some included on the soundtrack to Monkey Grip, a film that featured Amphlett as a young thespian. With Desperate, DiVinyls became the first Aussie band to sign a debut record contract with an American label, Chrysalis Records. Shaking off the immense pressure that entailed, the band recorded a confident and electrifying debut that still stands as not only one of the finest Australian rock albums, but also one of the more criminally underrated records in rock.