For Week Ending:
6 April 2024

Midnight Oil - Blue Sky Mining (1990)

[Rock]

Following a mega-hit album like 'Diesel And Dust' was never going to be an easy task, but Midnight Oil did what they did best - made another album of their distinct Australian rock, with just enough evolution in style to push forward into the new decade, without forgetting the past one. The song 'Blue Sky Mine', written about the miners that once worked the asbestos mines of Western Australia, is a swirling harmonica filled carnival ride that sets the listener up for the album ahead. It shows that the band isn't planning on letting up on their political messages (with them even protesting at the Exxon building in New York around the time of the album's launch), but also showed there were still some fresh musical ideas in the tank. The album features a few slower (bit equally poignant tracks) than usual, and played alone songs like 'Bedlam Bridge' or 'Mountains Of Burma' are a tad too mellow - but they work within the context of the songs around them. Radio favourites 'Forgotten Years' and 'King Of The Mountain' remind us of the people and places that make our country great. The album ends on a sombre note with 'Antarctica', an ode to the planet we are slowly destroying. Whilst the subject matter may not be quite as topical today, the music will always be timeless.

Arist Information
Midnight Oil (often known as 'The Oils') are an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1972. They have sold over 20 million albums worldwide.

Megadeth - Countdown To Extinction (1992)

[Thrash Metal]

Hello me, meet the real me. Coming from being completely blown away with the Rust In Peace release, as most fans were, there was the obvious question, what could ever top RiP? In short, nothing. And I get the sense Dave knew this to be the case. So just 2 years short of the masterpiece's release, we were presented with Countdown. You only need to listen to the first track to hear that the band were working had to not try RiP Part 2, but do something different. In fact, not just different to RiP, but also releases prior to RiP. Gone for the most part was the intense riffing on each song. Enter a polished, controlled song structure with the production sound most definitely upping the ante. Most songs have that undeniable raw guitar sound we all know Mustaine owns. However for the most part the guard dog is not being let off the leash and the sound is very controlled and purposeful, only escaping that entrapment when appropriate. If you listen to a single song, you might say 'Ehhh'. As a complete album, tracks 1-11, it melds together well as an enjoyable listen. Highlights for me - 'Symphony Of Destruction', 'Foreclosure Of A Dream', 'Sweating Bullets', 'This Was My Life' and 'Captive Honour' in particular having some amazing lyrics. There is a bit of 'cheese' although I hate to label it that with 'High Speed Dirt' (OK perhaps '502' revisited?), and 'Psychotron'. If you give a few listens to let it grow on you, you will come to love it. As I mentioned, it is not a RiP Mark II and nor should it be. It stands rightly on its own as a classic in the MD discography.

Arist Information
Megadeth is an American thrash metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by vocalist/guitarist Dave Mustaine. Known for their technically complex guitar work and musicianship, Megadeth is one of the "big four" of American thrash metal along with Metallica, Anthrax, and Slayer, responsible for the genre's development and popularization. Their music features complex arrangements and fast rhythm sections, dual lead guitars, and lyrical themes of war, politics, religion, death, and personal relationships. In 1985, Megadeth released their debut album, 'Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!', on the independent record label Combat Records, to moderate success. It caught the attention of bigger labels, which led to Megadeth signing with Capitol Records. Their first major-label album, 'Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?', was released in 1986 and was a major hit with the underground metal scene. Band members' substance abuse issues and personal disputes had brought Megadeth negative publicity during the late 1980s. Nonetheless, the band went on to release a number of platinum-selling albums, including 'So Far, So Good... So What!' (1988), 'Rust In Peace' (1990), and 'Countdown To Extinction' (1992). Megadeth has undergone multiple lineup changes throughout its 41-year career, with Mustaine being the sole consistent member of the band. The band temporarily disbanded in 2002 when he suffered an arm injury and re-established in 2004 without longtime bassist David Ellefson, who had taken legal action against Mustaine. Ellefson settled out of court and rejoined the band in 2010, but was fired in 2021 amid allegations of sexual misconduct.