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Species Deceases

Midnight Oil - Species Deceases Audio CD

A fair review of the Midnight Oil "Species Deceases" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Midnight Oil reviews here, or go back to the Midnight Oil tabs.

Band: Midnight Oil
Title: Species Deceases
Rating:

Release Date: 1990-04-18
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Progress 2: Hercules 3: Blossom and Blood 4: Pictures

We Won't Forget, We Can't Forgive
This is an incredibly taut song that expresses the feelings of residents of countries stuck on the outside of the potential global conflict between the Soviet Union and the USA. That's one of the lines from "Hercules", an anti atomic war song on this (too) short burst of anger from Aussie rockers Midnight Oil. To me, the lyrics speak with the anger of people who have no control over their own fate. Not only that, but the music is plenty powerful as well. "Progress" is the indictment of the modern world's nonstop march with its emphasis on profit over people and the natural world, the global struggle and threat of nuclear war, pollution, religion and the conflicts it causes. One could argue that "Progress" is just as valid now as it was in 1985. We find ourself in a world where jobs are outsourced to other nations to save the company a few dollars, we're little more than junkies in relation to the oil companies, all with the threat of global terror looming over our heads causing a flag waving furor bordering on pep rally lunacy.

"Blossom and Blood" speaks of the suffering of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the aftermath of the atomic bombs and the duty to avoid such suffering in the future. "Pictures" reminds people who live with the fears of war and opression to not be silent, to not just watch the world go by, but try and make a difference.

These are pretty heavy subjects, but the Oils manage to convey their message without sounding sanctimonious and preachy. There's genuine anger present on these songs and the band plays with a fury that isn't matched by their later releases. Martin Rotsey's guitar solos in particular have a snarl and bite on this EP. Highly recommended. .

powerful antiwar rock music
it's unnerving to listen to this music (and other Midnight Oil's music from the 1980s - especially 10. . 1, Red Sails In The Sunset) and see how relevant the themes and lyrics are to today's political landscape. These songs could easily be about the world created by George Bush and Johnny Howard. This is great rock music.

Really good song on this and more rock than usual 3.5/5

I was pleasantly surprised to see this EP in store in Australia. . it seemed to be out of circulation or something for ages-available only from Amazon perhaps at a hefty import price. Paid around $9 for it here. For those ignorant of the old vinyl record days an EP [Extended Play] was a release that contained more songs than a single but less than half an LP [Long Play] vinyl record [think cd album]. Nowadays cd singles can contain as many or more songs than the old EP.

Anyway, the main reason to buy this EP is for the song "Hercules"-that need may be obviated now by the fact that Midnight Oil have included this song on one of their compilation albums [along with another song from this EP]. Listening to this EP on cd recently, it didn't seem quite as full on as I remembered it. . . I'd thought it was more of an aural assault than it turns out to have been. . . unless the studio didn't do the song justice.

The main hook of the song is the distinctive Peter Garrett vocal delivery of the song. . . a very melodic and Australian voice pounding out the melody in lyrics such as "My life is a valuable thing". The lyrics have a cool beat of their own. The song also features a cool bass line. This song should be a good song to sing along to. It ends in a Beatle-esque outro, I suppose-the guitars seem to be playing backwards.

The rest of the tracks on this EP aren't up to the standard of "Hercules" but are still more rock than pop-which fans of The Oils in their harder sounding mood may appreciate. The first track, "Progress" is a track featured on The Oils latest compilation, I think ["Flatchat" I think it is called]. It has a reasonable guitar riff, a big beat, bass line and Garrett's distinctive vocals.

I did find the third track, "Blossom and blood" noteworthy for including at least one line from a well known quote. The quote is from the father of modern Turkey, Ataturk. Australia fought against present day Turks during World War 1-our horrendous losses at Gallipoli beach was a cornerstone of our fledgling national identity [there is a movie on this battle called "Gallipoli" which starred Mel Gibson]. Anyway, the Ataturk quote was to the effect that our fallen soldiers were now in the bosom of Turkey [a conciliatory sentiment by Ataturk]. Many Australians make a pilgrimage to Gallipoli every ANZAC day. This is the second instance that I am aware of, of The Oils quoting someone famous. The first instance was in one of their classic songs from the album "10,. . . . ,1", which I've reviewed here: "It's better to die on your feet than to live on your knees". That line is one of the highlights of that song. . . which is either "US Forces" or "Power and the passion".

The last song is "Pictures", another rock song, which does have some distortion in it [unintentional, I think].

I'm rating this EP only 3. 5 stars out of 5 because I think their other EP, "Bird Noises" is better. If I haven't reviewed "Bird Noises" yet, I will do it soon. "Bird Noises" has two tracks that appeal to me, which is one more than "Species Deceases".

Anyway, this EP is definitely for people who like rock music.

P. S. other Australian acts I have reviewed at this site include:

Midnight Oil-more albums reviewed here by me

INXS-multiple albums reviewed

The Vines

The Saints

Rogue Traders

Skyhooks

Johnny O'Keefe

John Farnham

Alex Lloyd.

It rocks something fierce
A four track treat with all four tunes dealing with nuclear and or environmental catastrophe on some level, Species contains two of the Oils very best tunes. Usually, eps aren't essential to an understanding of a great band, but this might be an exception. "Progress" is a staggering mid-tempo rocker with clanging guitars and the classic refrain of "Some that's progress/I say that's cruel. " Even better is "Hercules" as fierce a rocker as this band has committed to tape and a staple of live shows. Its literal meaning may be a little hard to decipher, but there's no missing the righteous anger or the riotous din of the music. The other two tracks nearly hold up as well. As a lost link between the more experimental Red Sails in the Sunset and the, by comparison, smoother, more radio friendly rock of Diesel and Dust this at once stands on its own and leaves you wishing Midnight Oil would have donated a full album to material this strong.

Three good songs and a great song.
It makes you feel good even while discussing serious subjects. All songs on the CD are good, but "Hercules" is outstanding - one of my favorite Midnight Oil songs. I hope this CD remains available.

You can see a complete list of all Midnight Oil discography, or go back to the Midnight Oil tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.