Groove to a new style
Earth and Sun and Moon
Midnight Oil
Reviewed by Paul Boundy
The latest studio release from Australia's most public political band lacks the aggressive punch between the eyes the Oils are well known for. What does hit you is a raw sound and a striking change of mood. This is a new breed of Oils classics.
The Oils have eliminated all the excess technological aids they picked up over the years and have recorded an album with a powerful live sound. Forced long by Rob Hirst's mastery of the drum kit, plus Hammond organ and guitar riffs which remind you of the psychedelic rock of the '60s, this unique product has still more. The lyrical content is compassionate and hopeful, a new style altogether.
"Truganini", the first single from the album has been well accepted by commercial radio, and a second single, "In the Valley", will soon be released with a video clip shot in Broome. The sleeve notes of the single Truganini reveal some of the shocking history of white violence and continuing disrespect towards Aborigines, though they mistakenly refer to her as "the sole surviving Tasmanian Aborigine".
Why the change in Oils mood? What's wrong with the old hard-hitting style?, some fans will ask. The band seems to have matured. The new material is the result of the band reflecting on what they have accomplished and going beyond the pure criticism they expressed in the past.
The Oils have been together for over 20 years, and some of their songs have become anthems almost everybody sings along to. "Read About It" and "The Power and the Passion", still popular today, were recorded over 10 years ago. World weariness may be showing up; Peter Garrett, who recently turned 40, sings in the opening line of "Feeding Frenzy", "I'm as old as the hills/And as young as the day".
Listen very carefully right through the album to the Tongan choir's chant on the last track; it's well worth it.