Head Injuries is the second studio album by Australian rock band Midnight Oil, released in October 1979 on their own Powderworks label and distributed by Columbia Records. The album was produced by Leszek J. Karski, recorded at 'Trafalgar Studios' in Sydney (Engineer: Peter J. Walker, Photography: Philip Morris). It was the last Midnight Oil album to feature founding bass guitarist Andrew James, who quit the band due to illness. It peaked at No. 36 on the Australian Kent Music Report and by mid-1980 had achieved gold status in Australia.
The iconic Midnight Oil logo with the open hand, appeared first on the back cover of the 1978 eponymous album "Midnight Oil" (Design: Jan Paul & Midnight Oil). It is featured on all other albums, publications, merchandise and their touring equipment. It comes from a photo of Peter Garrett's left hand on the inner sleeve of the first album.
(On the back of "Head Injuries" the hand is incorrectly facing up, turned 90 degrees).
The album was certified platinum in Australia in 2014.
Background
Head Injuries is the second studio album by Australian rock band, Midnight Oil. They had formed in 1971 with Rob Hirst on drums, Andrew James on bass guitar, and Jim Moginie on keyboards and lead guitar. By 1972 they added Peter Garrett on vocals and synthesiser. In 1977 Martin Rotsey joined on guitar. The band built a dedicated fan base, initially restricted to Sydney, which was extended to other Australian cities through constant touring – performing some 200 gigs in their first year. Moginie also revealed he'd been listening to American band Boston, whose tightly structured arrangements and melodic guitar work he admired. Drawing on those influences, along with the soaring, atmospheric quality of Joe Meek’s “Telstar”, he composed the extended album closer “Is It Now?” in a similar style.
Critical reception
At the time of release, Stuart Coupe said, "Right from the opening bars of 'Cold Cold Change', it's obvious that Head Injuries is a major development for Midnight Oil. This really sounds like the band live – soaring guitars, relentless thrashing of drums, Peter's strong voice... gee wiz, he's learnt how to pronounce words. You can understand the lyrics without referring to the lyric sheet."
Track listing
Charts
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
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!scope="col"| Chart (1979/80)
!scope="col"| Peak<br>position
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!scope="row"| Australian Kent Music Report
| style="text-align:center;"| 36
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Certifications
Personnel
;Midnight Oil
- Peter Garrett – vocals
- Rob Hirst – drums, backing vocals
- Andrew James – bass, backing vocals
- Jim Moginie – guitar, keyboards
- Martin Rotsey – guitar
;Additional personnel
- Leszek J. Karski – producer
- Peter J. Walker – engineer