Midnight Oil announces massive 2017 reunion tour, 3 huge box sets with unreleased music

Canadian dates in late August are up on Pollstar.

I"m seeing the Vancouver show tonight.

 

I've been listening to the "Live At The Wireless - 1978" disc from the Overflow Tank today and enjoying the hell out of it. Tight. They could play.

Something they did with the packaging that I really like are the sleeves for each disc. Every other mini sleeve I've encountered is simple construction with a single fold at the edge - the kind where you sort of want to squeeze the sleeve from both sides to bow it open and get at the disc, and there's friction the whole way because the disc has thickness and the creased sleeve doesn't. The ones in the Overflow Tank (and I presume the Full Tank, too) have a 2-fold edge, with an actual side. This makes each sleeve the same depth as its disc, and you can slide it out with ease. It's a subtle thing, but one I hadn't encountered before, and I appreciate it.

 

I received my Full Tank from ImportCDs a few days ago, and all is well. I ordered it last Saturday for $163.72. With expedited shipping, the total came to $170.70. I paid for it mostly with sales of unwanted LPs and CDs, reducing my out of pocket to just under 19 bucks! I really wanted the vinyl set, but the issues, delays and, most of all, the price were deterrents. For 19 bucks, I figure I can live with the loudness of the mastering and the less-than-premium packaging.

I was pleasantly surprised when I received a shipping notice last Sunday night, on a holiday weekend, to boot. I was even more pleasantly surprised that my package arrived safe and sound on Thursday, just three days after the Monday holiday and five days after ordering. Expedited shipping for less than seven bucks is money well spent!

I found the foam packing inside the "tank" to be snug but not as tight as others have reported. I can pull out desired CDs and slip them back in place not quite with ease, but also without much struggle. I know some on the Powderworkers FB page are recommending ways to slice the foam to make disc handling easier, but that's not necessary here.

The first two album "wallets" are sloppily constructed, with crooked, uneven folding, similar to the unboxing video on the Powderworkers FB page. The rest of the CD wallets seem fine, though. All CDs match their wallets-- no omissions or duplicates here, thank God!

I've only listened to the first four CDs in my car on the way to and from work, which is unfortunately where I have to do the majority of my listening these days-- another reason why I didn't go with the vinyl set. Given the reports I've read from other owners recently, I expected loud brickwalled mastering similar to Oasis, but I was pleasantly surprised by the first two CDs. If they're mastered loud, then it's not in a way that's objectionable to me. I also quite liked the tone I was hearing; it sounded natural to me, without exaggerated highs or bloated bass. I didn't find these fatiguing to listen to at all. With Bird Noises, I think that's where loudness starts to creep in, but in a subtle way-- not in your face. I found myself thinking about lowering the volume knob but not actually doing it. I did, however, lower the volume on Place Without a Postcard, but just a little bit. Since it sounds similar in tone to the other CDs, which I found agreeable and not fatiguing, I was still able to enjoy Postcard after the volume adjustment. So, I'm off to a good start; I hope that the rest of the CDs don't end up disappointing. As they say, ignorance is bliss; I think I'm going to avoid looking at waveforms and DR scores, and instead just try to enjoy the music.

I haven't had much of a chance to flip through the booklet yet. There's a lengthy essay that appears to offer a career overview, some photos of the band, individual album credits and tracklistings, and credits for the box set itself. The box set credits state that all albums except Diesel and Dust were remastered by Steve Smart at Studios 301; Diesel is the Bob Ludwig remaster and does contain "Gunbarrel Highway."

Given the way this box set was promoted, I had hoped for replica packaging similar to the recent Clash 5-Album CD set, which, to me, sets the standard for faithful LP miniaturization. I mean, even those CDs in the Clash box are all black on both sides, with a tiny LP-style label in the center ring! It's awesome to look at! By comparison, these Midnight Oil CD wallets are kind of ordinary, somewhat similar in my opinion to what you'd find in those popular budget 5-album Classic CD sets that I've seen around. Those sets sell for $20 or less, for five CDs. By that measure, I'd have to say that the Full Tank is vastly overpriced at $250. It's still way overpriced at ImportCD's reduced price of $163.72. It's definitely worth the 19 bucks I paid for it, after selling off unwanted LPs and CDs!

I hope this mini-review is helpful in some way.

 

I love that set, and I've had to show off the packaging and CDs to a few friends. Just looks so neat.

 

Okay... okay, I broke down and started to look under the hood. For the first five CDs, the results get progressively ugly, matching my listening impressions noted two posts above.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analyzed: Midnight Oil / Midnight Oil
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DR Peak RMS Duration Track
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR8 -0.10 dB -9.39 dB 5:37 01-Powderworks
DR8 -0.10 dB -9.69 dB 4:04 02-Head Over Heels
DR9 -0.10 dB -10.88 dB 3:19 03-Dust
DR7 -0.10 dB -8.83 dB 3:12 04-Used and Abused
DR8 -0.10 dB -10.56 dB 5:21 05-Surfing With a Spoon
DR8 -0.10 dB -9.49 dB 3:56 06-Run By Night
DR7 -0.10 dB -9.52 dB 8:27 07-Nothing Lost - Nothing Gained
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of tracks: 7
Official DR value: DR8

Samplerate: 44100 Hz
Channels: 2
Bits per sample: 16
Bitrate: 914 kbps
Codec: FLAC
================================================================================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analyzed: Midnight Oil / Head Injuries
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DR Peak RMS Duration Track
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR7 -0.10 dB -7.99 dB 3:30 01-Cold Cold Change
DR7 -0.10 dB -8.05 dB 3:00 02-Section 5 (Bus To Bondi)
DR8 -0.10 dB -10.00 dB 3:28 03-Naked Flame
DR5 -0.10 dB -6.62 dB 3:09 04-Back on the Borderline
DR8 -0.10 dB -10.41 dB 5:12 05-Koala Sprint
DR8 -0.10 dB -8.94 dB 2:57 06-No Reaction
DR7 -0.10 dB -8.55 dB 4:49 07-Stand In Line
DR7 -0.10 dB -10.85 dB 3:48 08-Profiteers
DR6 -0.10 dB -7.49 dB 4:26 09-Is It Now?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of tracks: 9
Official DR value: DR7

Samplerate: 44100 Hz
Channels: 2
Bits per sample: 16
Bitrate: 1036 kbps
Codec: FLAC
================================================================================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analyzed: Midnight Oil / Bird Noises
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DR Peak RMS Duration Track
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR7 -0.10 dB -8.39 dB 4:34 01-No Time For Games
DR5 -0.10 dB -6.97 dB 3:34 02-Knife's Edge
DR6 -0.10 dB -8.18 dB 3:14 03-Wedding Cake Island
DR6 -0.10 dB -7.74 dB 3:49 04-I'm The Cure
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of tracks: 4
Official DR value: DR6

Samplerate: 44100 Hz
Channels: 2
Bits per sample: 16
Bitrate: 1019 kbps
Codec: FLAC
================================================================================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analyzed: Midnight Oil / Place Without A Postcard
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DR Peak RMS Duration Track
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR5 0.00 dB -7.32 dB 3:06 01-Don't Wanna Be The One
DR4 -0.10 dB -6.63 dB 4:51 02-Brave Faces
DR6 -0.10 dB -8.30 dB 4:32 03-Armistice Day
DR5 -0.10 dB -7.34 dB 2:51 04-Someone Else To Blame
DR4 -0.10 dB -6.45 dB 4:38 05-Basement Flat
DR5 -0.10 dB -7.13 dB 3:16 06-Written In The Heart
DR5 -0.10 dB -8.27 dB 4:51 07-Burnie
DR6 -0.10 dB -7.81 dB 2:36 08-Quinella Holiday
DR6 -0.10 dB -7.96 dB 2:23 09-Loves On Sale
DR6 -0.10 dB -8.34 dB 3:43 10-If Ned Kelly Was King
DR5 -0.10 dB -6.84 dB 4:55 11-Lucky Country
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of tracks: 11
Official DR value: DR5

Samplerate: 44100 Hz
Channels: 2
Bits per sample: 16
Bitrate: 948 kbps
Codec: FLAC
================================================================================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analyzed: Midnight Oil / 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DR Peak RMS Duration Track
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR8 -0.10 dB -10.33 dB 4:25 01-Outside World
DR5 0.00 dB -7.40 dB 4:32 02-Only The Strong
DR7 -0.10 dB -9.28 dB 3:53 03-Short Memory
DR5 -0.10 dB -6.61 dB 3:52 04-Read About It
DR3 -0.10 dB -8.16 dB 6:22 05-Scream In Blue
DR6 -0.10 dB -8.32 dB 4:06 06-U.S. Forces
DR7 -0.10 dB -8.55 dB 5:39 07-Power And The Passion
DR8 -0.10 dB -10.00 dB 4:44 08-Maralinga
DR6 -0.10 dB -9.45 dB 4:29 09-Tin Legs And Tin Mines
DR4 0.00 dB -6.26 dB 3:58 10-Somebody's Trying To Tell Me Something
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of tracks: 10
Official DR value: DR6

Samplerate: 44100 Hz
Channels: 2
Bits per sample: 16
Bitrate: 1049 kbps
Codec: FLAC
================================================================================

Needless to say, far less than ideal from a mastering standpoint. It's got me thinking about the vinyl box again. Any chance Sony will sell the LPs individually? It'd be easier to collect them over time...

 

Thanks for that. I decided to go over to the Dynamic Range Database and check out the values. Here's the link: Album list - Dynamic Range Database
Ouch! The new discs are just LOUD! Disappointing, especially since some of the original CD b-sides are quite dynamic in their original issues. "Ships of Freedom" is a good example if someone wants to a/b.

 

^ My DR scores are actually worse than the DR database on a few albums. Wonder why that is?

 

Well, thankfully, after many emails and barely any replies from the retailer, Sony Music and Midnight Oil management I requested a pre-paid return postage label to the retailer. They obliged and, eventually (two weeks after they received it), put through my full refund.

If only the manufacturers had put the effort in they originally has said they would.

At least I'm not out of pocket.

 

What was the problem with the box?

 

What kind of a venue did they play in Vancouver?

 

Does anyone have the DR values for the Vinyl Boxset that was released this year? I saw the DR values for the CDs already in this thread but usually the LPs are better.

 

Outdoor venue used for shakespeare plays that can hold 4,000 and is surrounded by lots of trees.

 

Is Best Buy no longer carrying the Vinyl box? I can't seem to find the product page now...

 

Argh, they booked another show inToronto, on a date already booked for a family vacation. That's the 2nd chance I've had to miss due to other travels. Not meant to be I guess. I hope this isn't the end of the reunion. I love this band.

 

MIDNIGHT OIL ANNOUNCE 3RD MELBOURNE SHOW, EXTRA TICKETS + REEF GIG

 

Starting to see listings for five individual LPs on Best Buy, ImportCDs, Bull Moose. etc. High import pricing, though. Street dates of 8/4 and 8/11. Titles are Species Deceases, Bird Noises, 10-1, Midnight Oil and Diesel and Dust.

VINYL midnight oil vinyl - Best Buy

http://www.importcds.com/search?mod=AP&q=midnight oil&ft=LP Vinyl

Bull Moose. Search

Also, looks like the LP box set has been pushed back again to 8/25, according to these same sites (except Best Buy).

 

L.A. redux. Big show at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles tonight. Anyone going? Plenty of seats available at all price levels. Venue looks half full. Opening acts are the Living End (yay!) and the Smith Street Band.

 

Best Buy is listing the box set again, also with an 8/25 date.
Full Tank [180 Gram Vinyl] [LP] - VINYL

 

I will buy the box set someday, maybe. $199 is probably top dollar for me. If I miss out, so be it. The original asking price is ridiculous for what they actually produced. Rhino could have done this whole thing twice as good for 1/3 this price. And I can almost guarantee fans would be amazed at the quality of what they put out.

 

For those of you who have the vinyl box set ordered, I just received a notice from Amazon that mine has shipped and will arrive on Monday.

 

My Vinyl Box Set arrived Friday from amazon.uk
Just got thru listening to the first three Lp's, the third one is actually an EP at 45 rpm (Bird Noises). So far I'm very happy with this box set, the vinyl is flat and sounds very good.
The box set arrived in excellent condition on Friday afternoon, delivered by DHL. I'm always a little paranoid when vinyl box sets cross the Atlantic Ocean, really glad I got
this now. I just hope the rest of the LP's are as nice as the first three. A little pricey, but I pre-ordered when it was first listed. I think the vinyl box is a lot better deal than the cd box.

 

I received my repressed copy of Blue Sky Mining on Friday. The original pressing had "Stars of Warburton" appearing twice on Side A: At it's rightful place as the second track, and instead of "Mountains Of Burma" as the fifth track. As I type, I'm listening to MoB on the repress, so they got this right the second try.

I suspect this issue was the reason for delays in the Amazon shipments. It'd be good to know that all those that ordered it from Amazon have the BSM repress instead of the mispress.

 

Maybe you're right...

 

received my vinyl box today - surprised nobody has posted a pic - here it is. the box itself is very good - yea covers are not perfect copies of the originals, but I can live that. pressings seem good but will not be confused with Pallas/ Optimal or MPO - probably GZ??

Interestingly all the albums have BG initials before the numbers in the dead wax. Burnie Grundman?

I am spinning Place Without A Postcard - sounds amazing to me . The original pressing has always been a muddy mess. I am hearing detail and nuances I always knew was on the album but could not hear - everything cleaned up and eq'd coherently. For me, I am happy with the box set just for this one album

first album sounds excellent, Head Injuries sounds good albeit a little compressed and in your face - but it is head injuries.

I am going to enjoy listening to this box.