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View Full Version : The Oils are B.I.T.


NakedDeadGuy
15 Mar 2002, 06:30
Back in town with new cd 'Capricornia'. I had become a bit wary after the last couple (Breathe, Real Thing & Redneck Wonderland), so had a bit of a sample before I bought. After about 5 spins, I'm back on the bandwagon. I don't think there will be any stand out singles (but seeing whats on the charts these days is that a bad thing?), but the only semblance of filler is the piano 'song' A Crocodile Cries, which only goes for about 20 seconds anyway - think 'Bakerman' from Red Sails, even though it sounds nothing like it.
Track rundown:
1. Golden Age - Wouldn't be out of place on Blue Sky Mining or Earth and Sun and Moon. The first single. If anything, a little reminiscent of a faster Stars of Warburton.
2. Too Much Sunshine - Second single, pretty much Oils by numbers, guitar riff that I can't quite place, singalong chorus.
3. Capricornia - Pretty laid back, wouldn't be out of place on Blue Sky Mining.
4. Luritja Way - Restrained vocals, atmospheric acoustic guitar that I can't get outta my head.
5. Tone Poem - Once again pretty restrained, IMHO the best thing on the cd.
6. A Crocodile Cries - 20 second Enyaish piano interlude - I don't get it?
7. Mosquito March - The kind of thing that takes me back to Head Injuries, but in a more grown up kind of way. Would have liked PG to absolutely scream this, even throw in one of the old rants.
8. Been Away Too Long - Big chorus, good song.
9. Under The Overpass - PG & and acoustic guitar. This albums My Country.
10. World That I See - Reminds me a little of Paul Kelly's Leaps and Bounds at the start. Once again a little restrained. Get angry again Peter!
11. Poets And Slaves - Completely different from anything else on the CD. A grower, great way to finish.

Overall, I'm a bit loathe to give it a rating because of bias, but it's that far ahead of Redneck Wonderland and Breathe its not funny. Bones Hillmans voice annoys me, I feel as though it is a bit over produced (give me some rawness), and certainly not perfect, but it is a welcome return to form.

Cheers

carneagles
15 Mar 2002, 09:27
Thanks for the review

Are they touring to support this release?

madboy
15 Mar 2002, 14:34
They were on Cold Live at the Chapel last week (or was it the week before?)

I think my new signature explains my position on this recording. I think, as an album, it reminds me most of "Red Sails in the Sunset". Not musically or anything. Just in structure, what with the short musical interlude and the longer poem-type song at the end. Just my personal thoughts.

But this is the most excited I've been about an Oils album in a while. (Probably since their last one).