Hasn't Gathered Any Dust After 20 Years
Midnight Oil are one of the most politically conscious bands in rock, singing about the political climate in their native Australia. In fact, lead singer Peter Garrett was an elected member of his country's government. Diesel & Dust was their breakthrough album in the US and it spurred on by the driving single and lead track "Beds Are Burning". That song, propelled by its powerful horn section, is about the plight of the Aboriginal people of their homeland. The other nine tracks all take on some sort of political bent. They show that one can make good music, make a statement and not come off as preachy or pretentious. "Put Down That Weapon" is a track that simmers along while "Dreamworld" is a frenetic rocker. "Whoah" & "Bullroarer" are calls for change. The album's centerpiece and one of the best songs to be released in the last twenty years is "The Dead Heart". The song has a majestical sound with kettledrums pounding through and a riveting doo-doo chorus, it is an unforgettable and powerful song. Midnight Oil sings about subjects that we in America may not fully understand, but they convey the true power that music can be, because you find yourself pausing to think and hoping for change.

Decidedly mixed feelings.
Great album, great to finally have BLACK FELLA/WHITE FELLA available on DVD in its entirety, great to have "Gunbarrel Highway" finally released in the US copies of the album....all great. So why do I have mixed feelings? Because I look at what appears to be the "taming" of Peter Garrett these days, now that he's a high pol in the current Australian government, and I find much of it inexplicable. The contortions he's gone through to justify his current compromises on the environment and aboriginal rights, ones that he would have scorned a decade ago, make the admittedly terrific songs on DIESEL AND DUST ring just a little hollow nowadays. Garrett's no doubt decided that a certain amount of compromise helps one's ultimate agenda, but right now it is a little like imagining if Chrissie Hynde all the sudden decided to start shilling for the US beef industry. Ah well, so it goes.

yes, it's worth getting!
You never know for sure with reissues, but I was pleasantly surprised. The DVD is the 'Black Fella / White Fella' tour documentary/concert which was only previously available on VHS (and that was of course, many many years ago...) A must for M.O. fans. The CD includes one bonus track, the hard-to-find outtake 'Gunbarrel Highway.' The set is a little pricey, but for me it was certainly worth it. Hopefully, they'll reissue 'Blue Sky Mine' with DVD of the 1990 Exxon protest show in NYC...

Keep wishing for a return of the Oils, maybe someday...