Capricornia is amazing. I couldn't agree with your review more - this is their best album in 15 years (and I have 'em all). This is I think their BEST album, it definitely lacks the hit single that Diesel and dust had, or that Screaming in Blue had, but every song is so solid. I particularly like "Been away too long" because the oils have been - I've been waiting for this album for years!

The album is amazing, but go and see their show when it comes to your town. Cd,Vynyl, tape can't do justice to this batch of songs. Too Much Sunshine turns into raw power, Mosquito March makes you want to scream and in Say Your Prayers, the guitar turns into a chainsaw that will take your head off. Capricornia live flies and if you miss this tour you have missed what for years to come will be remembered as the return of the best live band left on earth.

i could not agree more.iam also a massive oils fan and have all there albums and this ranks as their finest.the melodies are fantastic.peter garrets vocals is pure raw emotion.mr bones/mr hirst support is solid and catchy.and finally the interaction between jim moginie martin rotsey is truly amazing.two guitar players i feel have never got the praise they deserve.my favourite song,to hard to pick there all great.however ihave a soft spot for,under the overpass. peter garret sounds great and i love it when jim moginies guitar lick kicks in.i seen them live in 1993 in glasgow ,i hope i can pencil them in for the year 2002.

Once again, Midnight Oil comes out with another great album just full of awesome meoldies that'll keep you humming and guitar riffs that put a smile on your face. Get it you'll love it.

They only band that matters...

it is difficult of thinking that a such good album can exist! a fan of france

I LOVE this album! Although I've only heard it about 40 times (not enough, yet) I think it's their best. There has been some wonderful albums over the years, so this is a big statement. Capricornia is as solid as Uluru from cover to cover and the opening four tracks are unbelievable. I personally think Lurija Way is the single best track Moginie and Hirst have ever written - I get goosebumps every time I hear it. If you've never purchased an Oils album before or just cottoned on to them, you MUST have this album!

No doubt one of the best Oils albums. I honestly cannot say it is the best as it is so difficult to pick.....and why should we!!. But it is fantastic to once again hear the Garrett vocals, Moginie riffs and Hillman bass chords. Having spent the last 3 years in a manufactured musical hell hole (London), I can't wait to see this quintessential Australian band live once again. Please get to Europe ASAP!

Is there a another band that has so many strings to their bow?

Ok I am fan, and there is an Oils song for almost every occassion.

This has to be the feel good album with guitars weaving in and out in patterns that make the Chaos theory look simple.

If a need to be bashed about the head, then Head Injuries it is. Capricornia will then recharge me with it's feel good sound and sensational vocals.

everybody here is sooooo right on. this album is a virtual masterpiece! i have been a fan for about 15 years and still going strong. i sometimes wonder, are these guys really as good as i think they are i mean are they for real? their intense musicality, their ingenius melodies, their ability to perfect every note and nuance, can a band actually be this good? then i hear Capricornia and i say HELL YES!!!! these guys are the only real reason i even listen to rock anymore, they are the only band that consistently moves me with every album they write. i have seen them 4 times and everytme i am more convinced that they are the best live band ever, and i have seen a lot of live bands. if you love music, i mean really love music, music that somehow finds its way through from your ears through your blood vessels to your soul then get this album and play it LOUD!!

if jesus christ were alive today, he'd be listening to midnight oil

Well this has been worth the wait....I must say that I love all the Oil's albums too date but this is a cracker.From the trademark start of 'Golden Age' to the drive of 'Too Much Sunshine' , this band keeps it alive through all the tracks and spices it up in 'Tone Poem' and "Under the Overpass". Being a big fan of Rob Hirst's skin thumpin', the drive and dedication by the whole band keeps it going write to the 'Crocodile Cries'outro ( on the Aussie Version ). Rob even manages a mini solo in "Too Much Sunshine"during the bridge.....more more more.I sincerely hope that this album does make some serious impressions on the listening public and local DJ's and programmers can spin it for it's freshness alone.Now when is that next album due...............cos I am there!!
Go Oils

I am pleased with this, extremely pleased that the bald man and Rambo on the kit can still play such fine contemporary arrangements. Yo dudes and dudettes. get your CD now and discover what really good music is
I love you guys...really

WOW
Another gem by Midnight oil , Capricornia is another excellent album in a long list .
Please get Peter on pop idol or bones to sign for Manchester united then England will finally notice the best rock act anywhere.

i'll never forget the first time i saw the oils on mtv... beds are burning. the whole family gathered around the twenty inch for 4 minutes of unaduterated pop bliss... incredible. since 1987 i have devoted many hours to finding out all i could on the tall bald one and his cronies... i saw them in 1990 in Kalamazoo Michigan and was blown away. Blue Sky Mining is by far on eof the greatest albums ever created. One country is incredible... I love these f@#kin guys...

dan

I LOVE ROB HIRST! The man is a show in himself and I can't get enough! I absolutely love Capricornia. I saw them last October in San Francisco and they performed "Too Much Sunshine" and I remember thinking, "what an incredible song!" I just saw them last Friday night (a promotional gig) and I've been on a Midnight Oil high ever since... I am SO EXCITED about this album. I'm buying it for everyone I know.

I concur with all your comments..I saw Midnight Oil last week at a small club in downtown San Diego, and it may have been one of the best live shows I've ever seen; I saw the Oils twice in the 80s, but it was at larger ampitheaters. Seeing Garrett et al in a club environment was an absolute treat. They played most of Capricornia and every song was spot on........the integrity of the Oils has never been compromised and last week was further evidence of that......

with over 1,000 cds and not one midnight oil album!? i should be punished!

after seeing their performance on the letterman show the other night, they made me compelled to pick up this album...peter garret evoked michael stipe, patti smith and mick jagger in one body, gyrating his body, moving his arms 270 degrees in all directions, and singing with absolute passion, that just made me want to buy this album in sheer, raw excitement!

"golden age" is 102% classic.

It's about time! After about 10 years of listening to the best band in the world, I finally saw them last Novemeber in Boston. It was ABSOULTLEY the best live show I have ever seen, hands down! I have all their albums, so when they played "No Time For Games", I couldn't believe they pulled that one out of the backlog- NICE! You guys don't get the credit from airplay in the US that you deserve at all. So I was amazed when the other day I heard "Golden Age" on the radio! WOOT! That's more like it! Capricornia just might be one of MO's best albums ever! I'd rate it #2 next to the 10-1 album. Keep up the good work! The real fans KNOW you guys rule!

Just saw them last night. Still the best band in the world after all these years. They must be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next year for 25 years of what rock and roll should be. Let's make sure they get that honor.

I've been an Oils fan for a relatively short period of time. No more than 4 years if my memory serves. But in this time, I have become a complete addict. Ask me to recite the lyrics to ANY Midnight Oil song and I will willingly oblige! As an Australian, I am proud that there is one band that understands how music SHOULD be played and know what is important. It seems to me that Midnight Oil have acheived what scores of others have only hinted at. They have a meaning. They don't just scream meaningless tripe into a microphone and expect the volume knob to compel people to like them as with *other* modern bands I could name. They hit you at your very core and leave you with a feeling of achievement after they have struck the final chord. With Capricornia, the Oils have produced another winner. All of the guitar work, vocals and drumming are top-notch and the lack of any heavy electronic influence makes the music feel more alive, more real. It's easy to mix lots of electronic sounds and call them music, but it is, in my opinion, far more appealing to hear music that is actually REAL instead of synthesized. Not that I'm saying SOME electronic influence isn't bad. I personally liked the Redneck Wonderland album's use of such, as it helped convey the message. Now, I could rant on for hours about how fabulous Midnight Oil are, but they really are a band that need to be heard to be believed. I encourage others to join my addiction and hit your local music store with the word "Capricornia" resonating in your brain! No matter what age you are, Midnight Oil WILL have a song that will drag you in, I assure you. Thankyou for the music and memories Midnight Oil!

Keep the good word coming!

I'm delighted to see that there are so many people that feels the same as me about the Oils. Because the Oils don't receive the coverage they deserve, you tend to think that you are alone enjoying this great band. I feel sad that so many people doesn't listen and understand Midnight Oil. I'm sure that the world will be a better place to live if everybody start to listen to them.
The Capricornia is amazing, a solid rock album from start to finish, you ended lifted with this album. Men, please, make you a favor and buy the album and go see them live. You will love to be alive.
Can't wait to see them...I'll travel to Chicago because it looks like they are going to skip Michigan (C'mon, What about the Stars of Warburton line: From White Cross to Michigan)

It's hard to believe Oils used to play huge venues like the Entertainment Centre almost 20 years ago. I saw Oils for the first at the Corner Hotel in Melbourne, a small venue with a few hundred people. I've not seen them in a huge venue but I have to say they are at home in the small pub/bar environment. A fantastic gig. If you get the chance to see them in a small venue do not give it up. Oh yeah, and the new album rules.

I bought Capricornia the day it came out while on a business trip in San Diego. I had already heard a few songs in my hometown of Seattle at the November Show (which by the way was nearly sold out with absolutely NO promotion from Grungeville). The girl who sold it to me at the Wherehouse asked "who are these guys?". I began to launch into a Midnight Oil diatribe, hoping to get her to play it instead of the hip-hop trash that was on (she said she would after the current one was over). I couldn't wait so I loaded it into my rental car and drove halfway to LA just so I could hear it uninterrupted.

I am not disappointed at all. I love a band that can make an album like "Redneck Wonderland", then change the tone to "Capricornia" without losing any of themselves in the process.

The new tour makes another stop in Seattle (Thank YOU!!!!!!!!). If it stops within a days road trip or a short flight from you I can only say it will be well worth it!

Another studio album, another masterpeice. The oils certainly haven't lost their power and passion. Capricornia seems to me that they've taken the modern sounds and applied them to their grassroots beginning. I received their first album in 1978 aged 6. It wasn't until 2 years later I got a tape player for xmas. Everyday for nearly a year I played it over and over, learnt the words and their meanings, until my cousin bought me the back catelog. Awesome. Midnight Oil, you've given so many people around the world the power of life, keep beating out the sounds and voice. You are truely rock icons.

What a great CD CAPRICORNIA is. It's songs flow with consistency from start to finish very similar to the DIESEL & DUST record. REDNECK was all over the shop & BREATHE wasn't as hard as we know the Oil's can be. Once again, CAPRICORNIA is a worthy listen & testament to how well the Oil's have survived.

Capricornia has so many clever hooks in the songs. We in Australia have to wait until USA and Europe have seen Capricornia live-too long to wait. I have seen the Oils about 20 times and not once have they put in a slack show! I think they are forgotten in Australia at the moment-a great pity as they treat their fans and listeners with intelligence and respect. With Australias appalling conservative right-wing government at the moment, we need Garrett and the Oils to be publicly prominant again as they were in the mid-80s.

Midnight Oil is among the most formative bands... of and ABOUT a counterpoint to all that English 80's pop from Till Tuesday to U2 that took us all on a quality (but empty) emotional trip throughout the mid 80's and 90's. A grown resentment of the "left behind ideals" we at first felt about the environment and dogmatsm, the inequalities we all felt about post-relevant-post-Imperial consumerism. It seems that the Boomers looked at the net- kalidescope and tripped themselves rich. Forgot what they stood for.

The Oils seem to have been one step behind U2, with caution. Bands like Pearl Jam watered themselves down, sprawled and ultimately did'nt deliver. I get the sense that the Oils have listened to everything.. . reporting the awkwardness saying their quiet critical piece and realizing their roots of Australia.

Midnight Oil does not owe me anything. I'll buy their albums till I die. I challenge the conservative ideal for the tragic "all seeing' and ask for an epic. You have your place in history, let's forget the footnotes, now let's hear the love.

Art

Being a fan of this great aussie icon band and following them for the best part of 16 years,i must say that it was an absolute pleasure to have met Rob Hirst and be able to of had a chat to who i beleive is the worlds greatest drummer.He is just so down to earth and freindly that i couldn't beleive i was meeting mine and my sons inspiation for playing the drums.Live the oils are a powerhouse unit that will literally make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and send a shiver up your spine once they hit the stage,and i have seen the oils everywhere from grotty little pubs to the big arenas and have to say that they are the best group ever and Capricornia is a fine testament to a group that has stood the test of time.GO OILS!!!!!GO HIRSTY!!!!

Yet another great Oil's disc. What can we say, other than it was worth the wait and lives up the the high expectations of most fans. I hope they come to Cleveland this Spring. The only thing worse than waiting for a new album is waiting for them to tour.

i hope that Midnight Oil will play in Barcelona-SPAIN!!!!!!!!!

There's not many bands that can make an album that is listenable all the way through. They do it with every record, and with Capricornia they have done it again. They make me feel so proud to be an Australian. Long live the Oils!

Another awesome Oils album. Is it possible for these guys to not put out 110% on everything? I don't think so. I've never heard someone who has been to an Oils concert admit that it wasn't the best show they've ever seen......no matter how avid a fan they were. I've seen them live once, in Cincinnati 1993. Without a doubt the best concert I've ever been to. I can only hope the upcoming tour hits the south U.S. At least come to Atlanta guys....I'll make the four hour drive. Just got the album last week...it rocks. It's interesting to see everyones favorite Oils albums. My vote is for Place Without a Postcard.....Lucky Country in particular. My silence, comic interruptions.......

We are Oil's fans since Diesel and Dust album... Wow!!!
For us, their bests albums are Blue sky mining and Place without a postcard. We'll never forget the first time we listened Dreamworld...WOW!! Incredible song!! About their last album, the group takes again the 80's sound, Capricornia is a very good album!
We hope to enjoy the Oil's show if they come to Barcelona in this tour. We've never seen them in concert
A long live for the Oils!!!!!! Bye.

One of the best Midnight Oil Albums ever! Too much sunshine will be a world wide hit, please release them as a single.
Buy this CD, it`s great!

'Capricornia' is chock-full of Midnight Oil classics!
From the opening chime of the twelve-string guitar, one
knows that these guys mean BUSINESS. It's funny...
the Oils are one of a very few musical acts in my life
that have truly made me FEEL! Their interplay is what
all musicians, and fans alike, long for. I get emotional
when I think how much this new album has affected me, and I'm proud of the guys for showing ALL other
acts how it can, and should be done.
A couple of years ago, I produced the debut CD for a young Canadian band who had some great songs, but poor interpersonal skills. I only wish I had then what I do now: 'Capricornia'. It sounds like a rock 'n' roll Bible to me, and I would've tried to convert the unwashed lads to the Oils' ethics.
I know it would have been nearly impossible for the
young lads to learn what the Oils have mastered:
sympathy; give-and-take; simplicity; pure orgasmic
aggression; timeless, not timely arrangements; true
artistic genius and more...but I would have tried.
I feel I owe it to Midnight Oil to help spread the WORD!

Cheers, Mozz

With rotten hearted "leaders" at the helm in Australia - exploiting the weak and needy, I once again turn to the mighty Oils to keep my passion for humanity burning alive. Long live the Oils, they make me proud to be an Aussie.

Love them .... can't wait to see them in Europe --- anywhere!! I'll take a plane or train.

Thank God the Oils are coming back to Chicago (twice in less than eight months!). Capricornia is a(nother) great work. Every Oils album has had at least one cut where the product makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. From the first album (cut - Run By Night) to Place Without A Postcard (Written In The Heart) to D & D (Beds, especially the hornwork at the end). For Capricornia, it HAS to be Poets & Slaves. If radio had a pair, and wasn't afraid to play something more than 3 minutes long, this would be the song. Whatever you listen to by the Oils, you're a better person for it when it's over.

Midnight Oil is playing at the WBOS Earthfest on Sat. April 27th in Boston, MA... all I have to say is this- The masses (who think Midnight Oil is 'Beds' and nothing else) will come to see Bonnie Rait. They will come to see Lisa Loeb. They will come to see Garbage... But all they will remember the next morning is the OILS! Hit their radio-friendly ears with 'Shipyards of New Zealand' or 'Poets and Slaves'! You rule, keep up the good work and thanks for coming to the US.

If you dont buy this album you will never know what the true "oils sound" is. I cant stop listening to it, this is the album for all those people who say "they love the old Oils" Well done boys!!!!

I've read with interest all of the other comments on the page (OMG - how long has this taken???) and come to realise that Capricornia means something a little different for everyone. Yeah, I'm reminded of Earth, Sun, & Moon, as well as Breath and Diesel & Dust, but I think Capricornia sands alone in many respects too.

While it reminds us of so many of our favourites, it is a refreshing album with direction and balls of it's own.

I've followed the band for MANY years now, even met Peter while he waited to check in at Melbourne Airport once, and I hope that the Oils continue to tour and produce unique pieces of contemplation such as this for many years to come.

Thanks Guys!

Encore!!! Well done Midnight Oil, this stuff is REAL Encore !!!

Por fin he podido escuchar el nuevo album de Midnight Oil, Capricornia. Creo que es un buen album, canciones como Golden Age o Tone Poem son increibles. En general, supera tremendamente al inclasificable Redneck Wanderland, pero no supera a Earth and Sun and Moon. Creo que la banda, después de Earth and ... no ha vuelto al nivel de creatividad de albumes como Diesel and Dust o Blue Sky Mining. Posterior al año 1994, Midnight Oil ya no ha sido capaz de crear nuevas canciones con enganche como lo fueron Beds are burning, Dreamworld, Truganini, Sleep, Basement Flat, Maralinga o Bedlam Bridge.Parece que Golden Age es un intento de volver a esos mejores momentos, pero el resto de canciones de Capricornia no llenan tanto como sí, antes lo hicieron, en albumes desde Place without a postcard hasta Earth and Sun and Moon.A partir de aquí albumes como Breath o Redneck no cumplen las expectativas que esperamos de Midnight Oil. Parece que con Capricornia la luz vuelve a surgir y espero que con fuerza y creo que es el inicio de una nueva etapa de éxitos para Midnight Oil como lo fueron en todo el mundo a partir de 1986. No pude ser que Midnight Oil se conforme en ser el famoso grupo que creo la poderosa Beds are burning, Midnight Oil se merece más que eso y la gente lo tiene que apreciar, porqué Garrett y los demás tienen suficiente potencial musical y creativo para demostrarlo, y no volver a caer en el error de Breath o Redneck Wanderland.
Nada más, sólo espero verles en directo este tour cuando pasen por Europa y desearles muchos años de éxitos! Larga vida a Midnight Oi

Capricornia most certainly rocks, and the tunes carry over great live...was treated to the Oils shreading @ the Warfield (SF, CA) last nite (02.05.07), and the Capricornia tunes worked great with the rest of the set - Golden Age, Too Much Sunshine, and Under The Overpass in particular (I though Truganini was "best in show", but that's personal preference). Man, when they geth the 3-part harmonies crankin, the thumpin' bass, and PETER...wow! Gotta be one of the best frontman around! As others mentioned, beg, borrow, or steel for tickets when they come to town, 'cause the live shows (esp. in small venues) are a religious experience. Back to Capricornia, I can't say better or worse than other albums, but it's easily on-par w/Diesel & Blue Sky.

Gran retorn dels de Sydney.
Luritja Way, Under the Overpass i Poets and Slaves són lo prova més concloent de que no se´ls ha esgotat pas el talent, com alguns critics havien començat a insinuar.
Llarga vida als Oils!!
....encara mantenim la fe de veure´ls algún dia a Barcelona!!

It only seems like a couple of months ago witnessing the oils live at the capital theatre here in sydney, dec 82, so vivid the memory.I remember standing outside the old theatre in shock with 10 mates after the show.To cut to the chase folks--this really is vintage Midnight Oil and Capricornia is a sonic masterpiece that should take pride of place in CD collections worldwide.The track (loudly thanx)"Been away to long "quickens my heart like it did on that balmy summer night all those years ago.
Shout to the top people, more importantly tell your music loving friends== THE OILS ARE BACK.

Still catching my breath from the live show in Cincinnati a few nights ago. I've been a fan since 'Diesel, and have since bought all the other albums, but never saw them live until this week. What an amazing, passionate show. I was expecting "a gargantuan figure cavorting recklessly across the stage ducking and weaving around three manic guartists while some lunatic at the rear tried his hardest to destroy the drum kit (quoted from the liner notes of 'Scream in Blue'), and that's exactly what I saw. Here's the kicker. My wife, who used to kind of roll her eyes every time I used to throw in an Oils CD, accompanied me to the show. When it was over, she had been converted to one of their greatest fans. Said it was the best concert she had ever seen in her life. I'd have to agree. Of course, now she thinks I should shave my head bald.

always followed the oils and loved every bit of there music...havent heard the Capricornia yet...but sure whatever comes from them will evoke many emotions to be aspiring..definitely Capricornia will be with my oil collections soon.

What a return to form after a couple of disappointing releases,Capricornia confirms that the Oils are without doubt one of the greatest bands of all time,not just because they make such passionate and exciting music but because they are not afraid to tell the truth and keep on telling it.

Capricornia is a bit more of a pop record than I'd like from the band that I regard as the mass market's last bastion of integrity, but it is soo very excellent, I'll forgive that fact. Anyway, the lyrics are too cerebral, spiritual, and poetic for this record to truly qualify as "pop". (Most people don't want music to make them think, after all.) Besides, if Midnight Oil were going to sell out, they'd have done it by now; there have been numerous oppoutunities to court superstardom that the boys have passed on. Which is an essential truth, because it demonstrates the absolute sincerity of the anti-establishment, proudly independent, and morally focused ideology that consistantly comes through in every incarnation of the Oil's ever-evolving and complex soundscape; proving without a doubt that this band is about far more than just the sum of it's sound, it is a way of life.

Band Holds No-Nuke Protest across US

Kinetics Sculpture Challenge powered by Midnight Oil
A recent concert, new album review

'A Recipe for Summer Fun'
Take a fleet of racing homemade human locomoted amphibious art creations, pour into large crowd snifter, throw too much sunshine on it and shake vigorously. Serve raging on the beach with a little Midnight Oil chaser to go with the eye candy everywhere and enjoy. That's Boulder, Colorado's kick off to summer concoction, which was held May 4th. Known as the Kinetic Sculpture Challenge or just plain Kinetics, it's a spectacle not to be missed.

It was $5 to see Midnight Oil and Dishwalla. That's one incredible bargain in the face of skyrocketing concert ticket prices. And 'In your face' is just what Midnight Oil is. Lead singer Peter Garrett halted the band's performance for several minutes for a 'call to arms' of the collective conscience to oppose the scheduled transportation of nuclear waste through the state of Colorado. He advocated pressuring Colorado senators to halt the shipments of toxic waste to Nevada.

Garrett has always been a man of political action, often taking on highly polarized issues which has no doubt cost the band some overall popularity. Issues like restoring lands to Aborigine ownership in Australia and demanding a formal apology from the Australian government. That's got to be 'pool cue to the back of the head' material in some parts Down Under. It was a gutsy move to interrupt the festive mood of Kinetics to get in the audience's faces like they did. This protest wasn't the first bold political statement made by this band and probobly not the last one.

Officially called the KBCO / Bud Light Kinetics, the Kinetic Sculpture Challenge is now in its' 25th year. Total attendance this year was estimated at 30,000. For picture gallery, log on to kbco.com.

The sculpture challenge 'race' is an unusual one because crossing the finish line first only gets a secondary prize. The major prizes are for sculpture, engineering, team spirit and costumes, with an overall grand champ selected from the best aggregate score. Some teams spend months building incredibly elaborate contraptions with the craziest costumes. There's also a prize for having the most dramatic and entertaining mishap along the race course which has both a land and water crossing. That could be a capsize, sinking or a complete disintegration of the craft's superstructure.

The Challenge results weren't compiled and announced until the following day. So right after the race, Dishwalla opened and played a good starter set. Their version of 'Tainted Love' by 'Soft Cell' got notice from the crowd.

Both bands had new albums to play. Midnight Oil's new studio album is 'Capricornia" and is easy to find under "M" because it has a humble brown cover with nothing but a cow's head on it. This could be their best work in a career that dates back to 1978's self titled debut album. The band now has 17 different discs, including a DVD and some rare EPs (extended plays).

The album opens with 'Golden Age', a strong cut. The electric guitar is so catchy it immediately hits that rock 'n roll sweet spot on the brain. It has a real anthem quality to it. They played this right before the nuclear protest. Then the mood shifts abruptly with the punishing opening riff of track 2 and second song of their live set: 'Too Much Sunshine'.

The title track lulls you a bit. The lyrics are kind of humorous: 'Ca-pri-corn-e-a, 'don't walk a-way, show-me-to-the-back-of-your-hand'. It's like saying "hey, come back here" to some ornery drunken lout who's luckily turned his back on you and now you're trying to provoke him to take his best clean shot at you. Interesting strategy but not surprising coming from a 'Redneck Wonderland', the blistering opening song of the show.

Capricornia was a 1938 novel which depicted the
struggles between Australian Aborigines and the European settlers who took their land. There are obvious parallels to what happened here in America. If not necessarily the music, then certainly Midnight Oil's message should strike a resounding cord in Native American ears.

White man came took everything '
We carry in our hearts the true country
and that cannot be stolen
We follow in the steps of our ancestry
and that cannot be broken
The dead heart lives here.
(Lyrics from 'The Dead Heart')

The new cut 'Luritja Way' gets the best song to drive to award. A rhythmic acoustic guitar immediately crabs and won't let go. It's not an ultra hard rocker. It's the ringing rhythm of the lyrics with the just one beat shy of a fast tempo. It makes you want to know the words so you can sing along. A perfect song for the open road: "Emp-ty space-s at Lur-itja-way, dah-da-dah-da-dah-da, there's no ex-it to Lur-itja-way.' It's a place off in the distance you can't quite see around the bend. Like every place in Wyoming.

The last eight tracks of the album take a few listens more to appreciate as much as those first four songs. They are more heavy and deep. 'The world that I See' is another decent track. But track 5 'Tone Poem' is right up there with 'Luritja Way' for best song on the album. The band played both songs at Kinetics, doing 'Tone Poem' right after the nuclear protest. The concert's live version had guitarist Jim Moginie playing an extra long string torturing intro not on the studio album.

The high point of energy output came from 'Forgotten Years', off LP Blue Sky Mining. They did a trick intro with one of those dramatic quick stop pauses, then dropped full force into the song. The nitro tank was empty after this one. The band's performance of 'Now Or Never Land' was another standout.

Lead singer Garrett is a man of 10,000 moves, hand gestures, and facial expressions. His only rival for unique and varied rock 'n roll dance moves is another Peter. Does the name Gabriel ring any bells? For those not familiar with the Oils' high energy live shows, experience them once and never again will you miss another local appearance.

Dave Kraft writes for the Vail Daily in Colorado

I flew from Ohio to Chicago to catch the Oils last month (May) and was not disappointed in the show. They are the best rock band around, by far and without peers. I hope they come back to Cleveland soon. The only complaint -- I wanted them to play all night. I don't know a bad Oil's song, let along album. They are all great in their own way. Keep rocking, mates.

The Oils are back..but they were never gone...
"Fresh air, soft landing..so good to be home..."
From the Royal Antler at Narrabeen in the 70's to the Metro in Sydney Nov 01 and a few months ago, the journey gets better. Great restraint not to blast away with "US forces give the nod..it's a set back for your country"...discover the Oils and your world will change forever....if only Australia's 1950's gov't would wake up as well..

Amazing! So many people addicted to the same, everyone loves the Oils.
Me too and it makes me so sad that i have never managed to see them here in Germany within the last ten years.
This time, i swear, i will be there, singing the songs, see them rocking no matter where it will be!

Saw the Oils in Philly recently for the 4th time. What a treat! The tuned from Capricornia were incredible - Luritja's Way leads the pack. And how awesome was it to hear Lucky Country, up there with "Sell My Soul" for greatest Oils song ever.
Such as shame that the Oils never got the recognition that bands like U2 got. I guess it makes being a die hard fan all the more special.
But it is nice to know that I'm in good company with the many other fans who have posted who obviously appreciate the greatness of the Oils.

I've just read all the comments since march 02 and I feel a warmth spread through my body - Yes, other people understand what I feel/know/experience. The Oils are amazing; musically but also spiritually.

Their music touchs you and works it's way beneath your skin whether you are from Vienna or Vancouver, Mozambique or Melbourne, it is something special, something worthy and something that our society (the world) is lacking today.

Congratulations boys, Capricornia is a masterpiece whether or not the radio stations acknowledge it. I hope you know that, I'm sure you do.

In my world there is sorrow
I'd rather drown in happiness,
I'm waiting round for those waves and days, I hope it never ends,

No inhibitions with the modern child
It's better since the president took
shooting off the street,
Even when the debts are dead and gone,
Bombs and threats still ask for more

People are wasting away in paradise
What is the reason for this?
There is no reason for this. What is the reason they keep coming back for more?

Some say that's progress I say that's cruel
In this world I often think you'd understand me,
You were a nazi drunk...you had the rednecks roaring for blood and then they wanted more,
You want a world you can save? So c'mon you poets and slaves.. c'mon.

HEY!
I didn't know that a now oil's album was out till yesterday...i was a little dissapointed by Redneck, and so i forget a little about the band...what a pity!!!! Capricornia is, as i can after a few listenning now, the best album since earth and sun and moon, but sure he will overpass it! Damn, the songs just go on and on and n in my head after 2 hearing...
OIL'S BACK!!!!!!!!!!!
when in switzerland?????????

@nic:
i think you don't have to be disappointed by Redneck Wonderland. This is since now (when 'Capricornia' is out here in Europe for weeks) one of the most powerful thing the band has ever published. Capricornia is something like a going-through of all their albums. It's great, really great and I listen to it almost every day since August. But Redneck grows the power and the pain of ideas and emotions this band depends on. You should listen to this album after smoking some pot - you will envelope something like a new oil-universe!

Oh, ich sehe gerade, Du kommst aus der Schweiz: die CD ist echt verdammt gut - auch ohne Gras. Aber mit ist es echt ein völlig neues Ding - die haben in die CD so viel geheime Melodien und Rhythmen eingebaut - mit einer Tüte dabei geht die CD nochmal so gut ab.

By the way...so sad that they broke up!