1980 was a red letter year for Australian music: AC/DC bounced back from the death of lead singer Bon Scott to release their biggest ever album in 'Back In Black'; adopted Aussie group Split Enz finally got some kudos sent their way with the 'True Colours' album and monster single 'I Got You' and who can forget the genius of Joe Dolce and his number one smash 'Shaddup You Face'?

However, if you ask the average punter in the street what the best thing released in Australia that year was, chances are they would say Cold Chisel's third album 'East'. A giant in regards to music in the land of Oz, 'East' is one of those near perfect albums that very few bands can produce. The group's ability to sum up the climate of the country at the time is but one reason why 'East' is so popular. Their progression as a band from Led Zeppelin style bluesy numbers to something uniquely their own was evident on the two preceding albums but it exploded by the time 'East' came around.

It also helped that they had two distinctly different lead vocalists in firebrand Jim Barnes and lead guitarist Ian Moss so that their scope was a lot wider than most bands. Though Barnes was the ring leader (his vocals in perfect form here before the gravel set in), Mossey's contributions should not go unnoticed. Whether it is the blues of 'Never Before', the reggae tinged 'Best Kept Lies' or the pop gem of 'My Baby', Ian's impressive range was the group's definite X Factor.

Though the album featured song writing contributions from all five members, it is those of chief lyricist Don Walker that seem to linger the most. 'Standing On The Outside' chronicles the battler and the choices he must make. Knowing that the working wage won't get him where he wants to be he contemplates illegal activities in order to get there. 

The tearing down of a Newcastle pub is the backdrop for 'Star Hotel', a savage account of us against the system as an 'uncontrolled Youth In Asia' have had enough and are going to do something about it. Diplomacy isn't going to help it seems: Ain't no deals, we got nothing to sell.

But anger in Walker's lyrics can also be balanced by sadness. Opening single 'Choir Girl' touched on the sensitive issue of abortion with a tenderness that is quite surprising coming from a male's perspective. A dirge of sorts, 'Four Walls' is a chilling realization of life in prison. Despite the bleak outlook Walker provides one of the funniest yet sadly real lines in the whole album: I love to march while some Nazi calls the time, who'd wanna go home.

Even the group's silliest songs in 'Ita' still gets a ton of radio play 26 years on. Not bad for a track that was never released as a single. Now derided by Barnes, 'Ita' is a homage (and practically a love letter) to Australian female journalist and media personality Ita Buttrose. Despite this derision it is a catchy tune and if Oasis can have 'Digsy's Dinner' and R.E.M. can write 'Shiny Happy People' then 'Ita' is but a respite from the heaviness of the rest of the album.

When half of the tracks make it onto a greatest hits release you know you have a special album. 'East' is one such beast. The soundtrack for a nation's working class as they entered the decade of greed. Cold Chisel went on to write better songs than those that appear on 'East' (most notably 'When The War Is Over' and 'Flame Trees') but as a collection of songs, they would never better this album.