Midnight Oil is the debut album by Australian rock band Midnight Oil which was released in November 1978 on the band's independent Powderworks label. It reached the top 50 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart. The album was later distributed by CBS Records and issued as a CD. The LP has a blue cover, however, the CD has a black cover. Because of the blue cover, the former version is often referred to, by fans, as the "blue album" or "the Blue Meanie". The lead single, "Run by Night", became the band's first minor hit in Australia and appeared on the Kent Music Report Singles Chart Top 100.
Background
Midnight Oil is the debut album by the Australian rock group of the same name. In late 1976, the line-up of Peter Garrett on vocals and synthesiser, Rob Hirst on drums, Andrew James on bass guitar and Jim Moginie on keyboards and lead guitar were performing together in Sydney as the progressive and surf rock group, Farm. Guitarist Martin Rotsey joined in 1977 Midnight Oil's first single "Run by Night" followed in December, The Midnight Oil LP disappointed some critics as it did not capture their powerful live performances, with undemanding playing and Garrett's vocals sounding stilted.
Reception
Reviewed in Australian Rolling Stone, by Richard McGregor, it was described as, "a reasonably accurate showcase for the talents of the band, and as such it emphasises all the strengths and weaknesses. The main problem seems to be Peter Garrett's voice. Stripped of the menace of his mesmerising onstage presence, it often sounds fragile".