[Tim Clausz]

In times of world crisis, we can usually count on rock music's elder 
statesmen (U2, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan) to succinctly sum up our hopes, 
fears or anger at the situation. Often it happens through works inspired by 
other subjects.

Same holds true for veteran Aussie rockers/activists Midnight Oil, who 
opened its first American tour in more than four years Monday (Oct. 8) night 
at the sold-out House of Blues in Anaheim, Calif. Both the band and fans 
were completely energized during a stirring 90-minute set.

Before launching into a short unplugged segment, giant shaven-headed lead 
singer Peter Garrett said, "We'd like to share some musical textures, 
ambiences, and hummable melodies with you." But it was the group's 
politically oriented lyrics that rang with newfound clarity -- especially on 
a frenetic "Dreamworld" and "Hercules" ("My life is a valuable thing"), the 
powerful "Read About It," and chilling "Short Memory" ("A smallish man, 
Afghanistan/A watch dog in a nervous land").

Even the four new tunes expected on the Oils' next studio disc Capricornia 
(due in February) were favorably received. Standouts included the haunting 
"Say Your Prayers" -- propelled by fuzz tone guitars and "Golden Age," a 
seething number with chiming guitar work reminiscent of 1993's Earth and Sun 
and Moon disc.

Garrett was in fine vocal form and a riveting presence throughout the gig. 
He continually prowled the stage, waved his gangly arms around and 
spastically shook himself to the rhythms. Of course, Garrett also ruminated 
on former president Clinton, how the current bombings will affect the poor 
and innocent in the Middle East and in a subtle swipe at the Downtown Disney 
entertainment complex, said "It's so satisfying to hear music come from 
amplifiers rather than shrubbery."

And the band (no pun intended) ran like a well-oiled machine. Drummer Rob 
Hirst's precision drumming and high backing harmony vocals on "Truganini," 
"Dead Heart" and "King of the Mountain" proved this band is in no danger of 
slowing down.


-- George A. Paul


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