Re: [powderworks] Breathe

Beginning around 2000, for a couple years I commuted up and down the I-5 twice a week the 130 miles between "the city" where my place of business is located and the family farm I cared for in a very small town. The drive usually happened at night when the traffic was less frantic. More often than not I found myself turning to Breathe. There's something about every Oils album that speaks to me, but honestly, I find that the feel of Breathe really works on a deeper level. For me it's a gem of subtlety.

Wish I could come up with a question worth contributing...

u:i:o

Jul 28, 2009 08:29:24 AM, toby@stubside.org wrote:

I'm a bit surprised that so many people aren't keen on Breathe. For me it's kind of the calm before the storm that is Redneck Wonderland and demonstrates that they can do a relatively laid back album and still have the songs shine through. Surf's Up Tonight is a highlight and only One Too Many Times tends to get skipped (or occasionally Underwater, possibly just because I'm eager to get to Surf's Up).

I think that the harsh snare sound and the distorted bass used throughout the album stop it from being too mellow and give it the Midnight Oil edge. It's not my favourite album, but I listen to it more than Blue Sky Mining and Diesel and Dust, two albums whose production I find a bit too slick and laid back.

Toby