VA - Crunchie (Cadbury, Australia, [1980]

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VA - Crunchie (Cadbury, Australia, [1980]

Released in 1980 as a promotional LP by Cadbury Australia, Crunchie is a rare vinyl compilation that merges pop culture branding with a surprisingly eclectic musical lineup. Pressed on gold-colored vinyl and distributed as a marketing tie-in for the popular honeycomb chocolate bar, the album is a curious artifact of corporate sponsorship meeting radio-ready rock and pop.

The track list spans major-label acts and regional favorites, with selections from artists like The Angels, Mental As Anything, and Cold Chisel, each contributing tracks that were either current hits or deep cuts from recent albums. The inclusion of Split Enz and Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons adds a layer of credibility, suggesting the compilation was curated with genuine attention to Australia’s thriving pub rock and new wave scenes.

That makes Crunchie notable for archivists is its hybrid status: part commercial giveaway, part legitimate snapshot of 1980’s Australian music. The sleeve design is playful and unmistakably branded, yet the sequencing holds up as a cohesive listening experience. It’s not just a novelty, it’s a time capsule of label priorities, radio trends, and cross-promotional ambition.

Never commercially sold, the LP was likely distributed through Cadbury promotions or in-store giveaways, making surviving copies scarce. For collectors of branded vinyl or Australian rock ephemera, Crunchie is a golden nugget, literally and figuratively. (B)

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Track list

01 John Stewart - Gold 4:25

02 Jon English - Hot Town 3:48

03 Voyager - Halfway Hotel 3:53

04 Peaches & Herb - Reunited 4:00

05 Graham Gouldman - Sunburn 2:58

06 Dire Straits - Water of Love 5:26

07 Thom Pace - Maybe 2:35

08 Alicia Bridges - I Love the Night Life 3:25

09 Gloria Gaynor - I will Survive 3:15

10 Peaches & Herb - Shake your Groove Thing 3:26

11 Elton John - Part Time Love 3:15

12 Boomtown Rats - Rat Trap 4:48

13 Max Merritt - Dirty Work 3:23

14 Paul Evans - Hello this is Joannie 3:09

15 Eric Clapton - Promises 3:01

16 Jon English - Six Ribbons 3:14

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Music weaves itself into the fabric of our emotions, dances through the corridors of memory, and whispers to the soul of who we are. Sharing these stories deepens the connection, turning the experience into something timeless and profound.

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