Taking Sides: INXS vs Midnight Oil vs The Church

Oh alright....

Well, of these three, the Church really only managed one great track ("Under the Milky Way"), so not them, obviously. INXS and Midnight Oil are so different it seems. The `Oils started off with a bit more grit, it seems, but went all U2 on us later on, despite outstanding tracks like "Best of Both Worlds". INXS -- though quite poncey -- had a clutch of really strong singles. Listen Like Thieves remains a great record as well. I'm going with them.

I'm not knocking them (necessarily), but they just don't compete with the other two (Inxs & Midnight Oil). They're more in league with second tier Aussie bands, not first tier.

Not entirely. Just certain key members....

GRRR.

...If only Hoodoo Gurus wouldn't have puked-out after those first two INCREDIBLE albums.

The fact that INXS doesn't have a comprehensive box set is a stain on Rhino's reputation.

hehehe.. that guy's name always makes me laugh

What do you call this, then?

http://www.rhino.com/store/ProductDetail.lasso?Number=74262

Hell no. It's an incredibly good thing (and an incredibly good album)

cute story from a previous life : i once worked on a music mag in sydney that had a classifieds section and the local midnight oil tribute band placed an ad in one issue when they were on the lookout for a singer. one of the requirements was "must be bald or willing to become so."

A couple years ago I finally got a new copy of Starfish, having lost whatever tape-dub I was listening to when I was 15 or whatever, and I excitedly brought it home and cued it up for my girlfriend -- "this album was so great, you're seriously going to love it" -- and then as it played she gave me these questioning looks and I listened again and had to admit that it didn't sound so great anymore. To be honest, I never liked "Under the Milky Way" all that much: it's lovely until the band comes in, at which point something goes weirdly wrong with the rhythm. I seemed to remember "Hotel Womb" and "Reptile" seeming sort of compelling -- I used to play the intro to "Reptile" on guitar all the time -- but when I got that last copy it was actually sort of embarrassing to skip through while my girlfriend looked confused, sort of "hahaha okay that one doesn't sound so good anymore but I swear there's some good stuff on here." I'll have to listen again tonight.

INXS were terrific but occasionally a bit much with the bombast (oddly enough they sort of rocked harder than most bands that are considered to "rock") and I'm not entirely certain about the albums as wholes. I would kill for a connection that would allow me to snag a copy of "Never Tear Us Apart" right now. Midnight Oil = I just don't know: "Blue Sky Mining" hell yes but also a lot of stuff that seems ... well, you know those commercials where they get someone to do a half-recreation of some popular song they don't feel like paying for the rights to use? A lot of Midnight Oil always sounded to me like Midnight Oil were doing that to Midnight Oil, if you know what I mean.

Come on, this is even a contest? The Church piss on INXS and Midnight Oil. From a GREAT HEIGHT. OK, I have a total soft spot for their paisley underground garage rock beginnings (Of Skins And Heart!) but also for their textural beauty. Steve's psychedelic gobbledegook lyrics are all part of the appeal! And the Rickenbackers! Won't someone think of the Rickenbackers! They made some of the Worst! Videos! Ever! Steve Kilbey floating in lotus position through a cartoon Church! Marty Willson-Piper all dressed up in armour unable to hold a sword straight! AND THE SHIRTS!!!! OH MY GOD STEVE KILBEY'S COLLECTION OF AMAZING PSYCHEDELIC PAISLEY SHIRTS!!!!! Come on, look at Heyday! OK, don't actually listen to it, it's the worst album they ever made (the horns, who thought the horns were a good idea?) but it's got the BEST ALBUM COVER EVER!!!

Sorry, I get excited. I love The Church. Favourite album... erm, got to be predictable and say Seance. Remote Luxury and Blurred Crusade also incredible.

My housemate back in NYC had all kinds of crazy Church stories. You just don't want to know...

The Church hands down, obv.

only if hair pulling and hitting guys with glasses is allowed

That's a pretty cheap and totally false refutation. I mean come on, even with hair Peter alone could fuck up all of INXS and the Church in a brawl. He's more able to channel hostility than any of the rest of them, and he's fucking huge.

This should make it clear
that I don't know anything
re: Australia

The Church - Under the Milky Way
Midnight Oil - I Don't Want To Be the One
INXS - Just Keep Walking

and if we had added Hunters and Collectors on there too, it would surely be:

Hunters and Collectors - Judas Sheep

I think, on this basis, INXS emerge as the winner by the skin of their teeth.

Indeed (says the guy who's seen them now three times in the last four years or so). The eight million side projects make me love them even more!

Have you ever seen publicity shots of this band Haibun? They dressed in matching butchers aprons.

I have little love (or like) for Midnight Oil or INX.