I've always enjoyed Breathe, some parts more than others certainly, but it's contrast to others Oils recordings is what strikes me.

 

I also get the feel of a group in a room playing together and just having a tape machine in the corner to catch the sound.

 

Agree the ending is strong, e-beat has been a favourite since I got my sampler tape for the Brisbane Breathe shows years ago, love that riff - but also love the grittier live versions of it. Maybe that's what i like that the songs can have two lives, restrained, quiet recordings and transform into gutsy driving live songs. Kind of reflects the change in the band for this recording too, a strong, often carefully produced band, letting go of the control and just letting the songs speak for themselves.

 

I find it interesting to have a close listen to Earth & Sun & Moon, Breather, Redneck and then Capricornia. E&S&M was apparently always intended to be the band playing live, which then got a bit more controlled than intended. Breathe was the reaction to that, little production, simple songs, more emotive songs. Redneck, another reaction to what had come before, as well as the political environment.

 

And then Capricornia, a great record, but one in which I can hear a little bit of each of the three previous records. Capricornia always sounds to me like they took what they learnt in the previous three and threw it all together into a great record.

 

At the end of the day I really respect the group for putting out the record that most of them seemed to want to make and not feeling that they had to make an album where every song sounded like everything they had done before.

 

Kev

 

Q's for Malcolm;

 

What was the mood like during the sessions? How did this impact the recording?

 

What song is he most proud of? Why?

 

Any he would change?

 

Hiow often does he listen to Breathe?

 

Another Oils album he'd have liked to have had a crack at producing?