Little River Band – First Under The Wire

Format: Vinyl LP  |  Label: Capitol Records  |  Cat#: SOO-11954  |  Year: 1979

Side A Matrix: SOO-1-11954 F-4 • –––◁ | • ––◁ Wally  |  Mastered by: Capitol

About the Artist

Formed in Melbourne, Australia in 1975, Little River Band became one of the most commercially successful acts of the late 1970s and early 1980s, achieving a rare sustained run on the American charts that few international acts have matched. Anchored by the vocal interplay of Glenn Shorrock, Beeb Birtles, and Graeham Goble — and propelled by the production acumen of John Boylan — LRB carved out a signature sound: lush, harmony-drenched soft rock with an impeccable pop sensibility. Their ability to craft radio-ready melodies without sacrificing emotional depth set them apart from their contemporaries.

About the Album

First Under The Wire (1979) arrived at the peak of the band's commercial powers and delivered on every front. Released on Capitol Records, the album showcased LRB at their most confident — polished arrangements, crystalline vocal harmonies, and songwriting that balanced breezy accessibility with genuine melodic craft. The record reached the Top 10 in Australia and performed strongly in the United States, cementing the band's reputation as one of AOR's most reliable hit-makers. The album's title is widely interpreted as a reference to the band's drive to maintain momentum and finish strong — a fitting metaphor for an act that consistently outperformed expectations on the international stage.

Highlights

• "Lonesome Loser" — the album's centrepiece and a defining LRB track; a deceptively upbeat, hook-laden hit that reached the Top 10 in the US and became one of the band's most enduring signatures.
• "Cool Change" — a sweeping, introspective ballad driven by Shorrock's emotive lead vocal and one of the band's finest moments; a Top 10 US hit and a staple of classic-rock radio to this day.
• Strong album-side cuts that reward attentive listening, showcasing the depth of LRB's harmonic arranging and Goble's distinctive compositional voice.
• Produced with the warm, full-bodied sound characteristic of late-1970s Capitol pressings, making this an enjoyable listen on quality audio equipment.

Condition

Record: G — Carefully cleaned with a Spin-Clean record washer and stored in a new inner plastic sleeve. Minor surface scuffs visible under direct light. Played flawlessly on a quality turntable with no skips; minor pops and crackles were noted, consistent with light play wear.

Jacket: G — Good condition with light wear. Original inner sleeve included, as shown in photos.

All items are sold as-is. Photos form part of the description — please review carefully.