''Down Below'' is the debut studio album by Australian
indie rock
Indie rock is a subgenre of rock music that originated in the United States, United Kingdom and New Zealand from the 1970s to the 1980s. Originally used to describe independent record labels, the term became associated with the music they produc ...
band
The Cruel Sea. Originally released as a 12" EP in September 1989, it was re-released in December 1989 as the band's debut studio album.
The album includes the track "Reckless Eyeballin'" – an instrumental track that later became the theme song of Australian TV police drama, ''
Blue Heelers
''Blue Heelers'' is an Australian Police procedural, police drama series that was produced by Endemol Australia, Southern Star Group and ran for 12 years on the Seven Network, from 1994 to 2006. Although based around the policing of the town, ...
'' (1994–2006).
Background and release
The Cruel Sea formed late 1987 by Jim Elliot on drums and Dan Rumour on guitar, and as a purely instrumental outfit. In late 1988, keyboardist James Cruickshank and Ken Gormley on bass were added and in early 1989 singer
Tex Perkins
Gregory Stephen Perkins (born 28 December 1964), better known by his stage name Tex Perkins, is an Australian singer-songwriter who fronted the Australian rock band The Cruel Sea, but has also performed with the Beasts of Bourbon, Thug, James B ...
joined the band on a part-time basis and added lyrics to the band's melodies. The band signed to
Red Eye Records in mid-1989 and released ''Down Below'' as a 9-track 12" EP in September 1989. It was re-released in December 1989 with two additional tracks as the band's debut studio album.
Reception
The Canberra Times
''The Canberra Times'' is a daily newspaper in Canberra, Australia, which is published by Australian Community Media. It was founded in 1926, and has changed ownership and format several times.
History
''The Canberra Times'' was launched in ...
said, "The band has roped in Tex Perkins (from
the Beasts of Bourbon
Beasts of Bourbon were an Australian blues rock band formed in August 1983, with James Baker on drums (ex- Hoodoo Gurus, The Scientists), Spencer P. Jones on guitar ( The Johnnys), Tex Perkins on vocals (Dum Dums), Kim Salmon on guitar and Bo ...
) as singer, and his deep, mournful voice gives the vocal tracks a wonderfully evocative atmosphere. Strong acoustic or semi-acoustic guitar dominates most tracks, with a largely inconspicuous rhythm line and keyboards."
Track listings
Charts
Release history
References
{{Authority control
1989 debut albums
EPs by Australian artists
The Cruel Sea (band) albums