Customer Reviews

Species Deceases

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

That's one of the lines from "Hercules", an anti atomic war song on this (too) short burst of anger from Aussie rockers Midnight Oil. This is an incredibly taut song that expresses the feelings of residents of countries stuck on the outside of the potential global conflict between the Soviet Union and the USA. To me, the lyrics speak with the anger of people who have no control over their own fate. Not only that, but the music is plenty powerful as well. "Progress" is the indictment of the modern world's nonstop march with its emphasis on profit over people and the natural world, the global struggle and threat of nuclear war, pollution, religion and the conflicts it causes. One could argue that "Progress" is just as valid now as it was in 1985. We find ourself in a world where jobs are outsourced to other nations to save the company a few dollars, we're little more than junkies in relation to the oil companies, all with the threat of global terror looming over our heads causing a flag waving furor bordering on pep rally lunacy.

"Blossom and Blood" speaks of the suffering of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the aftermath of the atomic bombs and the duty to avoid such suffering in the future. "Pictures" reminds people who live with the fears of war and opression to not be silent, to not just watch the world go by, but try and make a difference.

These are pretty heavy subjects, but the Oils manage to convey their message without sounding sanctimonious and preachy. There's genuine anger present on these songs and the band plays with a fury that isn't matched by their later releases. Martin Rotsey's guitar solos in particular have a snarl and bite on this EP. Highly recommended.

"...I want to keep it that way," sings Peter Garrett at the opening of what is possibly the Oil's most satisfying, pull-no-punches, stage front, up-and-dancing-your-arse-off songs EVER -- "Hercules." This song, about America's armed-to-the-teeth muscle flexing around the globe, and its military/nuclear presence in the Southern Oceans, is, to my mind, the Oil's best live tune. However, it is captured in the studio perfectly here, along with 3 other expertly-crafted yet bare-bones songs that amount to a better EP than most bands' full-length albums.

If you like two electric guitars, bass, drums, and an eloquent lead singer, BUY THIS CD and stop wasting your dollars on limp biscuits. It would be worth it at five times the price. What Midnight Oil delivers here is the rock-and-roll fan's most cost-effective expenditure, as well as a full-scale indictment of corporate ecological mayhem and the US military-industrial complex at play in the fields of our earth.

Here are 5 men who were obviously pissed off with the political hot shots of the world and brought out 4 of the hardest, fastest and loudest songs of their career. "Progress & Hercules" have that anthem roar about them. "Blossom and Blood" relates to the Gallipoli landing, with references from Ataturk himself, while "Pictures"(my fav oils song ever) has a dig at our fading environment. "Who wants to be a member of a Species thats Deceases?" Hard rock that will never be challenged!!!!!!!

This album, musically, is really where Diesel and Dust should start.

Well, okay--not really. Still, that should give fans of that album some idea of the accessibility and power of this album. Add a bit of punk, and you've got it. Thematically, it carries anti-nuclear views, especially on the harrowing lyrics of "Blossom and Blood." "Progress," though, is one of the most inspiring songs in the Oils' catalog. Peter Garrett yowls: "Say yes to a real life ambition/Say yes to our hopes and our plans/Forget about your indecision/Let's get the beast off our land," then proceeds to compel you to do so. The other two songs are equally strong. Despite the fact that this is merely an EP, it is as essential as the two albums released both before and after it.

it's unnerving to listen to this music (and other Midnight Oil's music from the 1980s - especially 10...1, Red Sails In The Sunset) and see how relevant the themes and lyrics are to today's political landscape. These songs could easily be about the world created by George Bush and Johnny Howard. This is great rock music.

This is a veritable powerhouse of an EP! Four loud, fast, strong tracks that combine to make a very memorable record. Released in 1985 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, "Species Deceases" is the Oils' most focused work. It's almost a reaction to their previous record, 1984's "Red Sails in the Sunset", which was the exact opposite - abstract and unthematic. "Species Deceases" is more like "10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1", which also had a theme (the nuclear issue), but, with just four songs, this is more compact, sharpening the focus. The issue? Basically, don't mess with the planet; delivered through subjects of environmental degradation, multinationals, military aggression, war, and the reminder of history. The EP opens with an amazing sonic combination of "Progress" and "Hercules". The first has a great rhythm, with growling guitars and equally growling vocals from Peter Garrett. "Hercules", with its fast driving pace, is an energetic number and (deservedly) a live favourite. This song makes reference to Hiroshima, or, to be more correct, the annual striking of the bell in Hiroshima Park which occurs on every anniversary. The following song, "Blossom and Blood", takes a more direct look at Hiroshima, incorporating the famous anti-nuclear slogan "Never again" into the lyrics. This song also has great guitar work (what Midnight Oil song hasn't?) and interesting vocal effects (particularly in the "All people with dreams..." and "Whatever you've done..." verses). The final song, "Pictures" took a while for me to get to like - initially it seemed just all over the place - a mess of music. But now I think it is up there with the best of Midnight Oil's classics - perhaps their most definitive call to arms. (The video clip is tremendous - if you have a chance to view it, do so. It's simply a montage of, as the song goes, "pictures of the world", but its effectiveness is due to its simplicity. I think the video actually warmed me to the song). "Species Deceases" is once again proof that Midnight Oil have a point to make without being preachy or grandstanding. It also rocks hard and fast.

I was pleasantly surprised to see this EP in store in Australia...it seemed to be out of circulation or something for ages-available only from Amazon perhaps at a hefty import price. Paid around $9 for it here. For those ignorant of the old vinyl record days an EP [Extended Play] was a release that contained more songs than a single but less than half an LP [Long Play] vinyl record [think cd album]. Nowadays cd singles can contain as many or more songs than the old EP.

Anyway, the main reason to buy this EP is for the song "Hercules"-that need may be obviated now by the fact that Midnight Oil have included this song on one of their compilation albums [along with another song from this EP]. Listening to this EP on cd recently, it didn't seem quite as full on as I remembered it...I'd thought it was more of an aural assault than it turns out to have been...unless the studio didn't do the song justice.

The main hook of the song is the distinctive Peter Garrett vocal delivery of the song...a very melodic and Australian voice pounding out the melody in lyrics such as "My life is a valuable thing". The lyrics have a cool beat of their own. The song also features a cool bass line. This song should be a good song to sing along to. It ends in a Beatle-esque outro, I suppose-the guitars seem to be playing backwards.

The rest of the tracks on this EP aren't up to the standard of "Hercules" but are still more rock than pop-which fans of The Oils in their harder sounding mood may appreciate. The first track, "Progress" is a track featured on The Oils latest compilation, I think ["Flatchat" I think it is called]. It has a reasonable guitar riff, a big beat, bass line and Garrett's distinctive vocals.

I did find the third track, "Blossom and blood" noteworthy for including at least one line from a well known quote. The quote is from the father of modern Turkey, Ataturk. Australia fought against present day Turks during World War 1-our horrendous losses at Gallipoli beach was a cornerstone of our fledgling national identity [there is a movie on this battle called "Gallipoli" which starred Mel Gibson]. Anyway, the Ataturk quote was to the effect that our fallen soldiers were now in the bosom of Turkey [a conciliatory sentiment by Ataturk]. Many Australians make a pilgrimage to Gallipoli every ANZAC day. This is the second instance that I am aware of, of The Oils quoting someone famous. The first instance was in one of their classic songs from the album "10,....,1", which I've reviewed here: "It's better to die on your feet than to live on your knees". That line is one of the highlights of that song...which is either "US Forces" or "Power and the passion".

The last song is "Pictures", another rock song, which does have some distortion in it [unintentional, I think].

I'm rating this EP only 3.5 stars out of 5 because I think their other EP, "Bird Noises" is better. If I haven't reviewed "Bird Noises" yet, I will do it soon. "Bird Noises" has two tracks that appeal to me, which is one more than "Species Deceases".

Anyway, this EP is definitely for people who like rock music.

P.S. other Australian acts I have reviewed at this site include:

Midnight Oil-more albums reviewed here by me

INXS-multiple albums reviewed

The Vines

The Saints

Rogue Traders

Skyhooks

Johnny O'Keefe

John Farnham

Alex Lloyd

All songs on the CD are good, but "Hercules" is outstanding - one of my favorite Midnight Oil songs. It makes you feel good even while discussing serious subjects. I hope this CD remains available.

Great moment of inspiration of the Oils, previous to their successful Diesel and Dust (Beds are Burning, Dreamworld). If you are getting into the Oils and already own the Diesel and Dust, Blue Sky Mining, Scream in Blue (Live) and A Place without a Postcard, you may try this one. Just be aware that it has only 4 songs (although the 4 are very powerful).

This EP is a great example of what makes the Oils one of the best bands ever. Four songs, well-written, delivered with take-no-prisoners power. Essential.