:: The Power and the Passion - Tribute to Midnight Oil

Various Artists

The release of the tribute album is a phenomenon that has really caught on in recent years. I guess this is based on the sound marketing theory that you can get two distinct fan bases, the tributed band’s fans and those of the tributes –further enhanced by having completely different types of bands saluting the original. That’s if you were cynical, these exercises are also a chance to breathe new life into songs and allow a fresh perspective to the familiar.

This album features the current darlings of JJJ, the cream of tomorrow’s Aussie rockers belting out their fave songs from the band that helped blaze the trail 25 odd years ago. It’s a hard album to review. For the Oils fans (of which I must confess to being a wholehearted one!), the tracks most likely to please will be the ones that remain faithful to the originals, notably Something For Kate’s “Dreamworld” and Shihad’s rocking “Kosciusko”. For the more adventurous, the techno, experiment of Regurgitator’s version of “Stand in Line” is worth a listen – but might be a bit scary for the Oils devotees. Probably the biggest disappointment was Area-7’s cover of “Read About It”, it lacked both the usual Area-7 energy and that of the song. Highlights include a faithful rendition of “Short Memory” by The Superjesus, the thrashed version of “The Dead Heart” (Frenzal Rhomb), couple of old favourites in “Don’t Wanna Be The One” (Grinspoon) and “Back On The Borderline” (Bodyjar). Jebediah put a new spin on “When The Generals Talk” and it’s very impressive, similarly, Skulker’s effort with “Forgotten Years” is another highlight. This release is a worthy addition to any Midnight Oil fan’s collection