Mach Schau [Import]

Hoodoo Gurus | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 27, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Evangeline
• ASIN: B0002TLJQS
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #567,563 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Soul Grapes

2. Domino

3. Nothing's Changing My Life

4. The Good Son

5. When You Get to California

6. This One Is for the Ladies

7. Girls on Top

8. Dead Sea

9. Monkey's Wedding

10. #17

11. White Night

12. Song of the Year

13. The Mighty Have Fallen

14. Chop

Editorial Reviews

One of Australia's greatest ever rock bands return with their first studio album in nearly 10 years. Produced by Stomp's own Kim Salmon (ex-Scientists, Beasts of Bourbon and himself). You gotta hear this record - Hoodoo Gurus have returned with their best record since '87s Blow Your Cool. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SO GLAD THE GURUS ARE BACK!, April 16, 2004

By 

Meghan Taff (St Louis, MO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mach Schau (Audio CD)

It's been a long seven years for Hoodoo Gurus' fans. The Australian punk-pop-rock band that had found much of its success on college radio called it a day back in 1997 much to the dismay of many. But lead vocalist/guitarist Dave Faulkner, guitarist Brad Shepherd, drummer Mark Kingsmill, and bassist Rick Grossman are back and have an amazing new album to boast. Mach Schau, which when translated means, "Make a show", marks the bands return to the top of their game. The band pretty much picks up where they left off with their last studio album, 1996's Crank.

Mach Schau combines all of the elements that made the Gurus a great band. There are the hard rocking guitars, the sometimes-quirky-sometimes-earnest lyrics, and the unforgettable melodies. These are the songs that you'll have stuck in your head for days on end. Their earlier efforts were considered surfer music that contained unique stories within the songs. Case in point being the song, "I Was a Kamikaze Pilot", which told the story of a pilot who made it out alive, or "Leilani" a song about a tribal princess who threw herself into a volcano when she couldn't marry a commoner. But that was back in the 80's; this is 2004.

The quirkiness can still be found in songs like, "Girls on Top". With the lyrics, "Understand you're a man/ she has got the upper hand/ You'd better be on your guard/ She's making it hard and she's holding all the cards", Faulkner seems to be the only one who understands how real relationships work. The earnestness can be found in the song "Dead Sea", a commentary on religion, and "Penelope's Lullaby" the last track that's almost hidden after a long pause, but rest assured it is there.

The first track, "Chop" seems to genre jump as it bounces between a guitar driven choruses and disco-bass/distorted-guitar verses. Faulkner's vocals were almost unrecognizable upon the first listening. "Isolation" is a Ramones' inspired punk diddy and "#17" is more of a hard rock track. "Domino" and "When You Get to California" are throwbacks to the band's old surfer sound. The latter comes complete with dreamy, Mamas and Papas harmonies and mariachi horns that make you long to get in the car and drive to California just so you can lay on the beach.

The most brilliant song by far on this album is "Nothing's Changing My Life". The song is like having a split personality and the conversation that would result. The verses and chorus are a schizophrenic mishmash of classic rock influences. Something that starts out with a Beatle-ish quality morphs into a Supertramp reply, which again morphs into a chorus that has a chord structure and melody reminiscent of Lynyrd Skynyrd.

So after all these years did the Hoodoo Gurus Mach Schau? That's a resounding YES!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars God Bless the Gurus!, June 11, 2004

By 

S. Read "Love Any Trouble!" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mach Schau (Audio CD)

Who would have ever thought that I would be writing a review of a brand new studio record by The Hoodoo Gurus in 2004? Yes it's true The fabulous Hoodoo Gurus are back. Do yourself a favour and pick Mach Schau up right away. Dare I say that this may be their best cd ever. That's saying alot with such great albums as Stoneage Romeos, Mars Needs Guitars and Blow Your Cool among others. Their years of experience are showing with the great trademark guitar sound of Brad Shepherd. Dave Faulkners vocals are as strong as ever. The band is a pure powerhouse now. The production is very punchy and every one of these tunes should be a hit but as we know with radio the way it is nowadays this cd will never get the recognition it deserves. Place your order now! You won't be disappointed!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars up there with my favorite Gurus albums, December 10, 2004

By 

Joe (Wynnewood, Panama) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mach Schau (Audio CD)

This album reminds me of Magnum Cum Louder and Kinky with its catchy hooks and uptempo rock beats. I didn't enjoy the last two Gurus albums at all, so it's a relief to see that they can make new songs that, while still original and different, return to what made their older songs great.

Lots of times when you go to see bands you liked back when you were in high school, you only want to hear the old stuff; if the Hoodoo Gurus ever tour stateside, I will be very glad to hear them perform songs from Mach Schnau! They're that good.