I remember reading a review when Redneck Wonderland came out (can't remember which magazine) and the reviewer summed it up as sounding "pretty much like their last album Breathe." That reviewer obviously had not listened to them as those albums are about as different as any in the Oils' catalogue.

Personally, I like Breathe though I would rank it below many of their other albums and usually skip more tracks than usual: One Too Many, In the Rain, Home and (occassionally) Surf's Up. The rest of the album is solid--E-Beat has long been one of my favorites, while Sins, Bring on the Change and Star of Hope are all very good.

Kevin


--- In powderworks@yahoogroups.com.au, Toby Bettridge <toby_on_tour@...> 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