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Redneck Wonderland |
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Redneck Wonderland
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Redneck Wonderland |
If there was ever an album for these times, it's Midnight Oil's Redneck Wonderland. Not only does it contain many insightful sentiments regarding Australia's current political machinations, but it proves that some 20 years on, the Oils can still cut it. And that's exactly what we need to know. If we can maintain our faith in Pete and the boys, things can't be that bad.
The single 'Redneck Wonderland' opens the album, heralding a new found direction for the Oils. As they admit, their use of technology - throbbing beats, swirling loops etc. - is very much a reaction to 1996's Breathe. 'Concrete', with its choppy bass line intro and squealing guitar licks, explodes into an angst driven paean, albeit with a melodic interlude. 'Cemetery In My Mind' benefits again from some rhythmic effects, but at heart it's an Oils classic. It's chorus is big, catchy and built for chanting along to.
The mix of the Oils earthy rock and some techno trickery works wonders throughout the album, from the displaced beats in the rock anthem 'Comfortable Place On The Couch' to the more traditional Oils' style of 'The Great Gibber Plain' to the electro polyrhythms of 'Seeing Is Believing'.
Elsewhere, 'Safety Chain Blues' with piano and strings (courtesy of MFTCC's Hope and Helen) demonstrates a new richness in the band's arrangements. 'White Skin Black Heart' says it all about her, while 'Drop In The Ocean' tails the album off beautifully, with its french horn and keys adding a further dimension to their ever-expanding sound.
The Oils are back and sounding just as essential as they did 20 years ago.
****½
Reviewer: Matt Connors