Midnight Oil’s second last album, (excluding the live album The Real Thing) is perhaps one of my favourites. Throughout their career, Midnight Oil developed and changed their style, seemingly with great ease. In the early days, there was surf rock, then some more pop-oriented tunes, pub rock, folk rock, Redneck Wonderland saw a brief flirtation with industrial rock, and their final album, Capricornia finished their career with a sort of country rock sound. This development is part of what I love so much about the band- they’re multifaceted and dynamic. Their lyrics cover political, social and environmental issues as well as relationships, but they have always remained true to their Sydney origins. I think a part of Midnight Oil will always be about the surf. In a similar way to The Whitlams, Midnight Oil have a fundamental element that can only come from Sydney. In my eyes, the music of these bands is the spirit of Australia. They’re conscious and cynical, but at the same time, they’re not bitter and don’t let those things interrupt daily life. In this record, be prepared for harsh, synthesised sounds and heavily distorted vocals and guitars.
Outstanding Tracks:
- Redneck Wonderland
- Cemetery in My Mind
- White Skin Black Heart

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