..:: audio-music dot info ::..


Main Page     The Desert Island     Copyright Notice
Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Ff Gg Hh Ii Jj Kk Ll Mm Nn Oo Pp Qq Rr Ss Tt Uu Vv Ww Xx Yy Zz


Men at Work: Simply the Best

 A l b u m   D e t a i l s


Label: Columbia Records
Released: 1998
Time:
 48:09
Category: Pop/Rock
Producer(s): Peter McLan, Colin Hay
Rating: ******.... (6/10)
Media type: CD
Web address: www.legacyrecordings.com
Appears with: Colin Hay
Purchase date: 2000.02.10
Price in €: 7,99



 S o n g s ,   T r a c k s


[1] Down under (C.Hay / R.Stryert) - 3:43
[2] It's a mistake (C.Hay) - 4:32
[3] Overkill (C.Hay) - 3:44
[4] Blue for you (C.Hay) - 3:53
[5] Children on parade (C.Hay) - 3:35
[6] Helpless automation (G.Ham) - 3:21
[7] Everything I need (C.Hay) - 3:35
[8] I can see it in your eyes (C.Hay) - 3:28
[9] No restrictions (C.Hay) - 4:28
[10] Settle down my boy (R.Strykert) - 3:30
[11] Snakes and ladders (G.Ham) - 3:17
[12] Still life (G.Ham) - 3:49
[13] Who can it be now? (C.Hay) - 3:24

 A r t i s t s ,   P e r s o n n e l


Colin Hay - Vocals, Guitar
Ron Strykert - Guitar
Greg Ham - Saxophone, Flute, Keyboards
John Rees - Bass
Jerry Speiser - Drums

 C o m m e n t s ,   N o t e s


Men at Work were one of the more surprising success stories of the New Wave era, rocketing out of Australia in 1982 to become the most successful artist of the year. With its Police-styled rhythms, catchy guitar hooks, wailing saxophones and off-kilter sense of humor, the band's debut album Business as Usual became an international blockbuster, breaking the American record for the most weeks a debut spent at the top of the charts. Their funny, irreverent videos became MTV favorites, helping send "Who Can It Be Now?" and "Down Under" to number one. Men at Work's momentum sustained them through their second album, 1983's Cargo, before the bottom fell out of the band's popularity. After releasing Two Hearts in 1985, Men at Work broke up, becoming one of the better-remembered phenomenons of New Wave.

Colin Hay (lead vocals, guitar), a native of Scotland who moved to Australia at the age of 14, formed Men at Work as an acoustic duo with Ron Strykert (guitar, vocals) in Melbourne, Australia in 1979. Within a few months, the duo had expanded to a full group with the addition of John Rees (bass), Greg Ham (saxophone, flute, keyboards) and Jerry Speiser (drums). Over the next two years, the band became regulars at the Cricketer's Arms Hotel bar and on Australia's pub circuit, eventually becoming the highest-paid unsigned band in the country. By 1981, they had landed a contract with Australian Columbia, who released "Who Can It Be Now?" by the end of the year. The single became an huge hit, as did their debut album, Business as Usual, upon its spring 1982 release. Featuring contributions by Hay, Strykert and Ham, Business as Usual spent ten weeks at the top of the Australian charts, beating a record held by Split Enz's True Colours. The album was released in America in the summer, and within a few weeks "Who Can It Be Now?" began its climb to the top of the US charts. In November, Business as Usual hit the top of the charts, where it would stay for 15 weeks. "Down Under" became the group's second American number one early in 1983 and it became the band's first British hit single; the song reached number one in both countries simultaneously. In February, the band was named the Best New Artist of 1982 at the Grammys.

Men at Work's second album, Cargo, had been recorded during the summer of 1982, but its release was delayed because of the remarkable success of the debut. Largely written by Hay, Cargo reached number three in the US and generated the Top 10 singles "Overkill" and "It's a Mistake." Following an extensive tour, during which the group co-headlined the US Festival with the Clash and the Stray Cats, Men at Work took an extended break in 1984, which caused Spesier and Rees to leave the band. They were replaced by session musicians for the group's third album, 1985's Two Hearts. Though the record went gold in the US, it was a considerable commercial disappointment, failing to generate one Top 40 single. Following the release of Two Hearts, the band broke up. Out of the remaining members, Hay was the only one to pursue a solo career, but neither of his two American solo albums -- Looking for Jack (1987) and Wayfaring Sons (1990) -- were successes. Hay continued to release albums in Australia during the '90s; he also began an acting career. He and Ham reformed Men at Work in 1998, issuing the live hits collection Brazil.

Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All-Music Guide



Men At Work is a hot item in Australia according to the press releases accompanying this debut album. Already claiming a number one chart placing in their homeland before the disc's U.S. release, these Men would seem to have a lot to live up to. Surprisingly, their debut LP Business As Usual, doesn't fall far short of its build-up.

The five-piece band from Melbourne features a Sting-sound-alike (vocalist Cohn Hay), and guitar, drums, bass and sax and flute players. Taking its music from a smooth and stylish point of view, they never attempt to gain points by excessive volume or gimmickry. And for the most part it works. The opening "Who Can It Be Now" is indicative of the band's sound. A slow and steady groove is built up by the guitar, and Hay's appealing voice hovers on top, joined by the group's harmonies in all the right places. Sax-man Greg Ham adds a distinctive flavor to the tune. On "People Just Love To Play," again Ham's sax is prominently featured, but the tempo is faster-paced this time out. Hay demonstrates his fine vocal chops between the group harmony parts. The light feel of the group's sound should fit right into today's tightly structured FM radio format. But don't hold it against them - the quality of Business As Usual is pretty high. A promising debut effort from a band worth watching.

© 1978-1999 College Media Inc. All rights reserved.
 

 L y r i c s


Currently no Lyrics available!

 M P 3   S a m p l e s


Currently no Samples available!