Liverpool of the South Seas: Perth and its Popular Music

Tara Brabazon ed, Nedlands: UWA Press, 2005, 244 Pages, Paperback, $38.95: Reviewed by Daniel Herborn in the April 2005 issue.

Initially, it seems the timing of Liverpool of the South Seas could not be better: Perth bands are riding high at present, with the likes of The Sleepy Jackson, The Hampdens, End of Fashion, Downsyde, Little Birdy, The Panics and The Fergusons all enjoying success. So the time would seem right for the release of Liverpool..., a collection of essays from students from the Popular Culture Collective, to appear and to examine the scene, to provide some insight and some context. Well, that was the plan. What transpires is rather different and causes one to wonder whether the book was rushed into print to capitalise on Perth's newfound visibility as a musical city. Under-researched and ... read more.
 

The Dinosaur Dealers

John Long, Crows Nest: Allen and Unwin, 2002, 220 Pages, Paperback, $29.95: Reviewed by Daniel Herborn in the September 2005 issue.

110 million years ago, a stegosaurus walked over the sandy plains outside Broome, leaving footprints which were eventually discovered in 1986. Just a decade later, they were gone. Such thefts represent a huge loss, not least to the scientific community which loses crucial information, such as the sequence of dinosaur footprints, or a complete skeleton, when items are removed from their context. The Dinosaur Dealers, however, is also valuable for its insights into the emotional and spiritual impact such crimes cause. A committed local amateur enthusiast died shortly after the footprints disappeared, the stress caused by the incident apparently a contributing factor to his poor health. The ... read more.
 

Yesterday's Tomorrows: The Powerhouse Museum and its Precursors 1880-2005

Graeme Davison and Kimberley Webber, Sydney: UNSW Press, 2005, 288 Pages, Paperback, $54.95: Reviewed by Daniel Herborn in the October 2005 issue.

For a century and a quarter, Sydney's Powerhouse Museum and itspredecessors have focused strongly on the future; the coming technology that would bring with it moral improvement, the industry promising to revitalise the Australian economy or the artistic trend that would restore pride in Australia's natural environment. It is fitting, then, to pause for breath at this juncture and to look back. The new essay collection 'Yesterday's Tomorrows' fills this role admirably. Editors Graeme Davison and Kimberley Webber have assembled an impressive multi-disciplinary team to tackle the history of these museums. The thematic approach means there is some overlapping material, but the results are ... read more.