Customer Reviews

Head Injuries

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was three years old when this album came out...needless to say I don't remember its initial release. I do, however, remember being 16 or 17 years old and hearing it for the first time. Even in the early 1990's songs like "Back on the Borderline," "Stand in Line," "Section 5 (Bus to Bondi)" & "No Reaction" still had a lot to say and plenty of bite...even alongside the incredilby bitter and angst ridden "Seattle sound" (Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, etc.) that was sweeping the world.

As I'm sure you've all noticed the Oils are the only one of the bands mentioned in this review to still be going (and going strong I might add via "Redneck Wonderland.") Its plain and simple, any band that rocks this hard and has this much to say can't help but be a cultural force with staying power.

Unlike many bands that spawned around roughly the same time all over the world (U2 in Europe & R.E.M. in the USA) that were involved in "political action/music," Midnight Oil is the only one that's held true to their original vision without developing delusions of grandeur and "rock star syndrome."

Not only has the band been spokesman of the oppressed, they've never done it in a pretentious self-serving way...and their music is still wonderful after 20 years.

Looking back on albums like this and "Midnight Oil" (from 1978) its nice to see the raw steel that's become the finely crafted sword that is Midnight Oil!

I think about how much these songs mean to me as an American, and I can't imagine the potency they must have for Australians that understand all the specific local references.

Peter Garrett's intelligent lyrics and biting vocals are the perfect medium for the message. Combine that with the twin guitar attack of Rotsey/Moginie (two of music's finest I might add...incredibly creative without being showy) and Rob Hirst's pounding backbeat and you have a well oiled machine (no pun intended.)

Midnight Oil's second album, while as rough and unpolished as most of their early material, is in my opinion one of their best recorded works. I find it far superior to their debut (a disappointment in my view), and while it lacks the maturity and finished touches that would be fixtures of the Oils from "10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1" onwards, "Head Injuries" has a simple charm. It rocks hard and fast, with the surfie hedonism typical of Midnight Oil's musical and geographical roots, although this is not to say there are no social or political messages that would be a distinctive feature of the band in years to come. "Cold Cold Change" and "Koala Sprint", the two surf themed songs, both hold environmental undertones - particularly the latter's haunting outro, a simple combination of arpeggiated guitar and eerie keyboard sounds. "Stand in Line" is a cry against socio-economic injustice, with a brilliant instrumental middle followed by Peter Garrett at his most guttural - low whispers and loud screams. "Back on the Borderline" and "Section 5 (Bus to Bondi)" are short (and brilliant) rock classics while "Profiteers" is a masterpiece. Its slow fade in is ominous; loud and intense guitar work and a martial beat accompany Garrett's affected vocals, combining to create a paranoid and oppressive atmosphere. "Is It Now?", the final track, is a lyrical mystery. Abstract and meaningless (or probably very meaningful) words show that Midnight Oil are as capable of subtleties as they are of wearing their hearts on their sleeves. This album is also a testament to the professionalism of Midnight Oil as musicians. They don't grandstand their musical talents - they just get on with it. This album is timeless. It's hard to believe it was released in 1979; but Midnight Oil are their own band, not the product of any trend or wave in music that occurs every few years. In the year 2000, this album is as important, and as enjoyable, as it was 21 years ago.

HeadInjuries came out sometime in 1979. Before you say, 'that must sound bloody old!', have a listen to it. HeadInjuries was the album that started the reputation past North Narrabeen and the Sydney Northern Beaches. Just look at the cover, does Peter Garrett look like he has something to say? You bet he did, and the youth of Australia were waiting. 'Cold Cold Change' is like the finest Shiraz you will ever drink, it has got better and better, to the point that tonight on the way home when I threw the CD in I thought, 'how can this recording be 20 years old ?'. Well it is, and to find out how much the punters love this album go to a concert, well in Oz anyway, and listen to the roar. This is the album that really set the fires burning, 'No Reaction', 'Bus to Bondi'. Geez, if you don't stomp the foot to this then your just missing out. Go buy it now, and ask yourself 'Is this really 20 years old ?', and I bet you say: impossible.

This is without a doubt one of the most singularly individual albums in rock.Like "The Band" or " Axis bold as love" it represents a time and a place to perfection.Everything about it ,from the cover art to the drum sound to the lyrics says Sydney 79.
If my memory serves me I frst heard these tunes in a place called the Fairfield hotel in the western suburbs of Sydney.The band played in large room that held maybe four hundred people that was actually underneath the hotel.All the walls were painted black (with some artwork in silver on the back wall) and as usual the carpet was sticky underfoot with a years worth of spilled beer.This was the sort of place you would expect to see a band of the Oils stature at the time(and how sad now that all those rooms are closed). Only later would they be able to fill somewhere like the Capitol Theatre (Have a look at the 20,000 watt RSL dvd for some great footage from that venue).
Captured here then is the sound of one of the most exciting and individual bands that Australia ever produced.
From "cold ,cold change" to "is it now" we are treated to the sound of Sydney 1979 with not one wasted second, not one moment of doubt.

This great album from 1979 is intense, passionate, and intelligent. Peter Garrett shouts it out here on the band's second album. Martin Rotsey and Jim Moginie bring an excellent dual guitar assault to this gritty piece of political punk rock. Great anthemic songs like "Stand in Line" share space with the atmospheric piece that closes "Kola Sprint" along with the real cool riffs in "Naked Flame". Drummer Rob Hirst shines on "Profiteers" with a quasi-marching beat and the controlled frenzy of "Section 5(Bus to Bondi)". Midnight Oil would produce more polished albums as the years went on, but more often than not, this is the one I reach for when I've got that revolutionary feeling. Put it on and play it LOUD!

Though sounding different from most of the MO albums, Head Injuries is surprisingly good. It has somewhat of a hard rock sound to it, and is progressive at times.

Cold Cold Change is fairly good, and a video of the song is included on the 20000 Watt RSL DVD. Back on the Borderline is included on CD version of 20000 Watt RSL. Other notable songs are Koala Sprint, No Reaction, and Stand in Line. A blistering version of Stand in Line is included on the DVD. It's impossible to watch/listen to that song without getting caught up in the energy and power of the band/concert. Best heard with volume up.

Production-wise, Head Injuries does sound a bit older than most of the MO albums, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. You can really hear each of the five musicians well. This would be in contrast to the smooth, polished production of say Blue Sky Mining.

There is some great guitar work on this album too. Peter Garrett sounds like a different singer at times, probably reflecting showing his early influences. There are bits and pieces of singing in the style of Elvis Costello, XTC, and the Ramones.

Buy this album.

I bought my first Oil's album (Diesel and Dust) when I was 16 and terribly naive. I was almost too scared to buy it after seeing the cover for Head Injuries. Ten years later I own all of their albums, and Head Injuries is one of my favorites. Peter Garrett's vocals are filled with a sense of urgency (note the scream in Stand In Line), and the classic sound the Oils produce on this album truly "rocks". I also appreciate the spiritual tone to the lyrics. (I'm glad I went ahead and bought it!)

It may be unrefined, sloppy, under-produced, and quirky to the ears of those who listen to current pop, but Head Injuries is an enthusiastic album that never ever ever gets old.

It is one of my favorite Midnight Oil albums, and one of my most favorite CDs overall.

Head Injuries - truly the classic Midnight Oil album. I first heard it in '79 as a 16 year old kid, growing up on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. Ah, the memories. For me, all subsequent Oil albums did not quite reach the high water mark of Head Injuries. Sure the lyrics became more overtly political and more tightly focussed, but you can't beat Head Injuries for powerful, intricate, rock. I've heard "Stand in Line" live many times over the last twenty years and it still never fails to invoke in me poweful emotions.

Phil Sutcliffe's review is wide of the mark in stating that Peter Garret is simply "railing against the system" in songs like "Stand in Line". The lyric "... so much money in the ground, for the people who don't deserve it now " is clearly aimed at the mining companies, whose love of this wide brown land means that "nothing is as precious as a hole in the ground".

"Head Injuries" is the second album from Midnight Oil, which was recorded and released in 1979. This is also the last album which Andrew James played on, as he left the band due to an illness. Overall, the album feels a little harder and grittier than their first release, and in that way it is perhaps a better representation than their debut. On the other hand, there is something about their first release which better defines the band in my opinion, because it demonstrates more diversity, and so I tend to prefer it to this solid follow-up effort. Regardless, this is a good representation of the band's early work, and is perhaps the hardest rocking album they have ever done.

The album opens with "Cold Cold Change" a hard-driving number, supposedly about the possible coming ice age is a strong kick-off. It is followed by a more alternative sounding "Section 5 (Bus to Bondi)", which is the most different sounding piece on the album. "Naked Flame" is a slower number, which doesn't hold up musically, but still has good lyrics. "Back on the Borderline" returns to a faster pace and has a catchy feel to it. "Koala Spirit" starts as another slower number, with a message, this time about polluting the great natural environments. It is also the longest piece on the album at slightly over 5 minutes.

"No Reaction" takes on complacency in society. "Stand in Line" has a similar type of theme, but focused on the middle-class and their lifestyle. "Profiteers" takes on War in a short piece with just a few lines of lyrics and a slower piece which again doesn't hold up musically to the rest of the album. "Is it Now?" closes the album with a driving number, which is fitting considering it matches the vast majority of tracks.

The group became a bit more political with this album, and as I indicated before it is perhaps their hardest rocking album. Overall I rate this one between 3 and 3 ½ stars. Midnight Oil consists of: Peter Garrett (vocals), Robert Hirst (drums, backing vocals); James Moginie (guitar, keyboards); Martin Rotsey (guitar); and Andrew James (bass, backing vocals).