It’s a shame that you can’t read or write a review about Midnight Oil without there being some mention of their political views. Obviously, that’s what they’re best known for outside of their small but loyal fanbase. But even to a jaded American like me, their songs sound fresh and exciting. Sure, there’s a definite message that comes across, especially in their mid to late 80’s output. But there’s no Bono or Sting smugness. There’s some anger, but it’s more resigned frustration than anything. These guys just strike me as being sickened by the lack of ethics present in society. Sure, that lends itself into some green and liberal politics that I don’t necessarily agree with all the way, but you know that they believe in them and that’s what draws you in.

Midnight Oil does more than just fingerpoint. Singer Peter Garrett actually ran for a government office. I’m not an Australian resident, so I can’t tell you first-hand what happened. I know he didn’t win but made a respectable showing in the debates. At least they’re interested in having a dialogue and not just singing at the Super Bowl draped in an American flag with corny purple sunglasses. I’d much rather have someone asking questions and raising issues instead of assuming they have all the answers.

But of course, all of that is meaningless unless the songs are good. Midnight Oil is an incredibly consistent band with their own style of hard-hitting hook-laden rock and roll. They don’t rely on conventional lyrical styles and I don’t know who or where or what Garrett is singing about half the time but damn, if it isn’t catchy. Who would think that a name like “Kosciusko” who be so fun to sing along with? The musicianship of the group is also noteworthy and has produced some of the more intricate and layered albums I’ve ever heard.

So, I guess I could’ve eliminated the first three paragraphs and just said this: “It’s okay to have a message, but the songs still need to be good.” Got that U2, you sucky bastards?

The same theory applies to Christian rock. People are surprised to find Bleach and Guardian in my collection. I even like what I’ve heard from Grammatrain and Newsboys. I don’t mind their message as long as it isn’t just Jesus analingus. I just want something interesting and engaging that isn’t too ham fisted or trite. I listen to a lot of heavy metal and typically the lyrics are generically angry and trite, but usually the music is interesting enough for me to overlook it. Usually.

Damn it, that was another tangent. I need to focus or this will turn out longer than a seven-song album review needs to be.

So anyway, on to the actual review itself instead of all of my useless introductory crap. This is the first Midnight Oil release from 1978 and immediately a few things stick out. First, it’s not overtly political. I mean, there’s a song called “Head Over Heels” for Christ’s sake. Second, the production isn’t as lush as what I’m used to from the band. It’s their first album and was low budget. Third, this is more like a rowdy blues influenced bar band than the elaborate arrangers and astute lyricists they’d become. But hey, this is a pretty solid debut and I’m tired of introducing this thing and I want to dive into the songs!

“Powderworks” opens up with a ratty and distorted surf rock bluesy thing followed by an actual 70’s-esque string bending solo. Where’s the pensive arpeggios of “River Runs Red” or the organ bombast of “I Don’t Wanna Be the One”? It’s certainly something that I don’t expect from this band, but you can tell they were hungry on this debut album. I’m sure they were literally hungry in the sense of being in a fledgling band living check to check, but I’m talking about having a sense of urgency and youthful exuberance in the songs. New bands these days don’t have that enthusiasm or energy when they’re starting out. They have a strange sense of entitlement that I can’t relate to. But for Midnight Oil, I’m really glad to hear this foray into mainstream rock and the bass line at 2:40 makes it all worthwhile.

The second track, “Head Over Heels” is a love song that is not something I would expect from this band. Musically it’s not bad, but oh how cheesy the lyrics are. Peter Garrett’s voice is distinctive and usually engaging, but hearing him sing “I’m head over heels in love” over and over makes me cringe. Sorry guys, but I don’t want you to ever fall in love again (or at least don’t ever write about it). “Dust” slows things down a little bit. It’s a somber and dreary tune that hints at great things to come in the band’s future. At this point, though, they are still trying to find themselves. This is a decent song, but there’s nothing really different about it and it sort of blends into the other songs. The drumming of Rob Hirst is a highlight, though, and is evidence of how he became one of the more respected drummers in rock (among musicians that is, not the mainstream media of course).

Guitarists Martin Rotsey and Jim Moginie open things up with the rockabilly meets garage rock stylings of “Used and Abused”. This is an excellent rock tune that reminds me of the great things that will come in later tracks such as “Hercules”. Midnight Oil can be a little hard to describe to the uninitiated, but I guess that musically this could be described as a dirtier version of an old, fast REM song. This leads to the dissonant arpeggio that opens “Surfing With a Spoon”. This is the most complex song of the album from a musical standpoint and is an example of the group’s emerging talent. It’s definitely something that I would like to have heard recorded with a proper budget. “Spoon” is on par with the tracks on the group’s most commercially viable albums Diesel and Dust, Blue Sky Mining, and Earth and Sun and Moon.

Another strong track is “Run By Night”. It gets a little repetitive vocally and lyrically, but the guitar performances are quite stellar. The band’s tight harmony vocals aren’t as developed as they would become on tracks like “Truganini”, and that’s something that could have really elevated this song. The chorus just needs that three-part harmony on it. Ah well. It’s still a catchy, hard hitting twangy rock thang. The album’s closer, “Nothing Lost- Nothing Gained” features some impressive Satriani-esque guitar cuts. It’s unlike anything I would have expected to hear from the band (though trying to predict what Midnight Oil is capable of is useless). This eight-minute epic track builds into a monumental unknown gem. It takes a lot of guts to release something this experimental on a first album.

So overall, I would have to say that this is not a release to start a Midnight Oil collection with. It’s probably best served as a way to complete a collection. However, I would recommend the Midnight Oil greatest hits collection (20,000 Watt RSL) first as a way to determine if this is the band for you. You can go to (www.midnightoil.com) for more information. If you like anything from punk to progressive rock with an air of wit, sophistication, and political savvy- you might just find something you’ll like. For a casual fan (those mostly familiar with “Beds Are Burning” and the like) this album will surprise you, but I bet it will get under your skin in time. This gets a low 4 from me and I definitely recommend it to all those who care.

Sadly, Midnight Oil is yet another in the long line of bands that I care about that is no more. Peter Garrett left the group this year after 25 years as a member. The band members vow to go on in some form or another, but it just won’t be the same.

Sigh….

Track Listing:

1. Powderworks
2. Head Over Heels
3. Dust
4. Used and Abused
5. Surfing With a Spoon
6. Run By Night
7. Nothing Lost- Nothing Gained

Top picks: Powderworks, Surfing With a Spoon, Nothing Lost- Nothing Gained

Band Members:
Peter Garrett: vocals
Rob Hirst: drums, vocals
James Moginie: guitar, keyboards
Andrew James: bass
Martin Rotsey: guitar



Discography

Midnight Oil (1978)
Head Injuries (1979)
Bird Noises EP (1980)
Place Without a Postcard (1981)
10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 (1982)
Red Sails in the Sunset (1984)
Species Deceases EP (1985)
Diesel And Dust (1988)
Blue Sky Mining (1990)
Scream In Blue Live (1992)
Earth and Sun and Moon (1993)
Truganini (Maxi Single) (1993)
Breathe (1996)
20,000 Watt RSL (Greatest Hits) (1997)
Redneck Wonderland (1998)
The Real Thing Live (2000)
Capricornia (2002)



Recommended: Yes