Customer Reviews

Mach Schau

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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!

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!

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.

...because they never actually went away! The mighty Hoodoo Gurus, less an American deal, release another album in 2004--that's the good news, the bad news is it's an Australia-only release (like all the remastered versions of the earlier albums, which you must also buy. RIGHT NOW.) which means you'll be parting with some dollars. Is this as brilliant as "Mars Needs Guitars"? No. Is it a solid collection of guitar pop? Empathically yes. Face it, if you're reading this far, you already know the Gurus' charms and if you don't, buy the remastered catalog and "Mach Schau" ("make show", dontcha know).

I have been a big fan of Hoodoo Gurus from their early days. While I generally have liked most of their earlier CDs a bit more than their latter ones, Mach Schau far, far exceeded my expectations. I have been listening to it for more than a month, and I love this CD more with every listen. It is their most complex work they have ever done, but it still has the energy that makes my blood pump - actually Mach Schau has more energy than much of their mid-late 90s work. It is their best CD to date in my humble opinion.

Does success breed complacency? They say when a company CEO makes the cover of Fortune it's time to sell. And when a band makes the cover of Rolling Stone, well their best days are prolly behind them. I actually think the HGs might been on the cover once (that's pretty scary!), but thankfully they never got complacent.

Other bands from my college days like U2 & REM just got so big they started to suck and/or I just got sick of hearing about their private lives (& even worse, their "politics"... yuk!) in the press. Not so with the Gurus, they still sound fresh (even though this record is now 4 years old!).

Anyway, it takes me a while to fully appreciate a Gurus record, but even after a just few listens this one is a winner. Chop and Domino stand out right away as great rockers and there are plenty of others too. Check out the video for Domino on the Tunnel Vision DVD... really nice!

I also love their nineties records, and listen to them more often than the 80's releases. They are all different and all very good. Mach Schau is just another great release from a great band, that unlike so many other rock bands has managed to age without compromise or becoming so annoying you want to barf your guts out. Are you listening Rolling Stones!?! Sir Paul!?! I'll stop now!