Reviewed by Peter Bate

This. Midnight Oil's ninth album was released a few months back but escaped attention, partly due to its low-key launch. Maybe Columbia Jell 'Breathe* wasn't worthy of the publicity splashed out on the band's last album 'Earth And Sun And Moon". Maybe they were right. The seasoned Aussie activists are well documented for their human/environmental rights fight and suspected Christian sympathies (just ask CR columnist John Smith - a big fan of the group). Yet, the jaded feel of this album suggests they have lost a bit of their zeal. Although some Christians may appreciate the more blatant lyrical messages of "Common Ground" and "Time To Heal", the clever ironies delivered on previous albums are missing. Gone is the bursting energy of 'Earth...', replaced with sprawling guitars and the unusually restrained vocals of Peter Garrett. But all is not lost. "Underwater" may have sunk in the singles chart but still bubbles with enough altitude to demand repeated plays. Garrett's duet with Emmylou Harris (backed by Buddy Miller) "Home" also hits the spot. while "Sins Of Omission" shows the band can still rock out. Overall, a mixed bag that only disappoints because of the quality of Midnight Oil's back catalogue.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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