Description
Earth and Sun and Moon is the eighth studio album by the Australian alternative pop/rock band Midnight Oil, released on Columbia Records in April 1993. The album was recorded by Brent Clark and Nick Launay at Megaphon Studios in Sydney, Australia; with Launay and the band producing. Mixed by Launay at Albert Studios in Sydney.
Midnight Oil features Peter Garrett on lead vocals and harmonica; Jim Moginie guitar, keyboards, and vocals; Martin Rotsey on guitar; Bones Hillman on bass and vocals; and Rob Hirst on drums and vocals.
Ever since Aussie rock band Midnight Oil’s surprise breakthrough hit, «Beds Are Burning», there has been no bolder voice raising concern for the stewardship of our world in popular music. From an impromptu public concert/protest outside of Exxon headquarters in response to that devastating Alaskan oil spill, to albums that blend potent rock ‘n’ roll with heart-felt cries for justice in the treatment of disenfranchised peoples, ecological sanity in future development, and a spirit of the common human plight, Midnight Oil stands out for its original sounds and desire for a saner world
That this strong polemic has been housed in earthy, bold, accessible music that has what it takes to stand on its own merits makes the Oils that much more valuable. For all of Sting’s noteworthy efforts on behalf of the rain forest and human rights issues, he’s still a tenderfoot compared to these guerilla warriors.
After the international successes of ‘Diesel and Dust’ (which contained «Beds…», ’88) and ‘Blue Sky Mining’ (’90), Midnight Oil toured, and prepared the live release ‘Scream In Blue’, which contained songs from those efforts and material like the title track, «Read About It», and «Only the Strong» which date back to 1983’s memorable ’10, 9, 8, 7…’ release. On the new ‘Earth & Sun & Moon’ Midnight Oil continues a legacy of making honest, artful and meaningful works in the very rock music that has often trivialized deeper thinking. And, remarkably, they’ve remained as focused on the sense of urgency facing creation as they were ten years ago, perhaps even sharpening the axe.
Peter Garrett, the band’s monumental frontman, sings as the very incarnation of the early Oil’s masterpiece, «Power and the Passion». Intentionally ragged and not a bit concerned with artificial Michael Bolton styled emoting, Garrett’s vocals ring true to the intensity of the band’s aggressive playing. Recorded in a return to earlier pre-high technology style, ‘Earth & Sun & Moon’ sounds like a more intimately developed live work. Accessible and intentional, the songs are played with playful musicality.
Bold rock guitars of Jim Moginie and Martin Rotsey ring through «Drums of Heaven» with such clarity and distinction that it leaves one wondering if it isn’t mistakenly titled. «My Country» features the delicate piano of Moginie and the gentle rhapsodic ballad of «In the Valley» offers a quiet, comforting presence. While the Oils make music that connects, the real communication is in the compassion and outrage of its lyrics.
The theme again is of impending environmental apocalypse: there’s a «Feeding Frenzy» on the horizon, and we must respond «Now or Neverland». The hope of the planet is with those who see the mystery of creation («Earth & Sun & Moon») and can imagine a reasonable response to the impending plight («Renaissance Man»). While political systems conspire to maintain the status quo («Truganini», «Tell Me the Truth» and «My Country»), there are some who hear a larger voice, who are moved by a different vision («Bushfire», «Drums of Heaven», and «Ships of Freedom»). The gospel message, near and dear to the thinking of Garrett, offers an «Outbreak of Love» as he sings that “This is the end of the beginning of the outbreak of love.”
‘Earth & Sun & Moon’ is not a departure from Midnight Oils’ strong catalog of previous works, nor does it create a dramatic sense of growth from past triumphs. It’s another link in a career that has held the prophetic and passionate voice of the children of God in tension with the political and social implications of the liberating gospel and the music of the pop culture. This an achieverent few others have been able to reach. Garrett and the Oils have much to say that needs to be heard. [Brian Q. Newcomb, Syndicate Magazine, May/June 1993, Vol. 8, Issue 3]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/earth-and-sun-and-moon/288366403)
CD tracklist:
01. Feeding Frenzy
02. My Country
03. Renaissance Man
04. Earth And Sun And Moon
05. Truganini
06. Bushfire
07. Drums Of Heaven
08. Outbreak Of Love
09. In The Valley
10. Tell Me The Truth
11. Now Or Never Land
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Columbia Records.
“My Country” (MUSIC VIDEO)
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