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Diesel and Dust |
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Diesel and Dust
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Diesel and Dust |
Midnight Oil finally hit the big time here, with the funky "Beds Are Burning" becoming a major radio hit almost everywhere except in the US (the followup single "The Dead Heart" didn't do quite so well). It's truly one of their best tunes ever, with clever synth effects, enthralling dynamics, and a great chorus. The rest of the record is every bit as good. They almost seem to rip off REM on several catchy up-tempo tunes like "Sometimes" and especially "Dreamworld." But almost everywhere else they push their own similar and equally successful formula: a blend of acoustic or 12-string guitar strummery with abrupt electric guitar, electronic percussion and hi-tech synth fills (the not-so-successful single "The Dead Heart," which also features a bunch of classical musicians on its long fade). Most numbers land with at least one great guitar riff, one memorable anthemic refrain, and a driving beat ("Bullroarer"). The glacially paced "Arctic World" and "Whoah" recall the last LP's over-orchestrated foibles, but they're not really so bad. Together, this is a record no fan could possibly dislike. "Gunbarrel Highway" was excised from US copies of the album and I haven't heard it.
Rating: ****
Reviewer: John Alroy