The power of Oils
20,000 WATT R.S.L.
Midnight Oil
Columbia/Sony
Review by John Gauci
Nowadays, artists tend to release a greatest hits collection after three or four albums which include a few hits and a couple of misses. Midnight Oil has waited 10 albums and 21 years to produce this mighty re-mastered compilation.
"Best of ... " albums are always controversial amongst die-hard fans. Where is "Wedding Cake Island"? "Armistice Day"? "Cold Cold Change"? But with a body of work which stands amongst the greatest creative contributions to Australian rock music, 20,000 WATT R.S.L. is a great album, regardless of its omissions.
This 18-track album covers issues that have galvanised Australian politics and have been the preoccupation of the Oils since the start — the environment, uranium, corporate greed, land rights.
Included are two new tracks, "What Goes On" and current single "White Skin, Black Heart", lifted from the forthcoming album Redneck Wonderland. Produced by Regurgitator's Magoo, the tracks are reminiscent of the Bird Noises EP and reveal a radical left turn towards a more experimental, contemporary sounding recording.
In an industry that encourages artists to be vague or apolitical, Midnight Oil have always stood out as a band with something worthwhile to say. This album captures that. Their music raises awareness about the world and its condition.
Midnight Oil have never apologised for being vocal. Why whitewash it when you can say it clearly? Whether you agree with their politics or not, Midnight Oil exemplify the power musicians can have by using their art form to raise consciousness.