Earth and Sun and Moon
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Earth and Sun and Moon is the eighth studio album by Australian rock group, Midnight Oil, that was released in April 1993 under the Columbia Records label. It peaked at No.2 on the ARIA Albums Chart.
Background
[edit]Midnight Oil's Earth and Sun and Moon album, produced with Nick Launay, was released in April 1993 and peaked at No. 2 on the ARIA Albums Chart,<ref name="AusCharts">Template:Cite web</ref> top 20 in Sweden and Switzerland,<ref name="EarthSunA">Template:Cite web</ref> top 50 on Billboard 200,<ref name="BillS">Template:Cite web</ref> and top 30 in the UK albums chart.<ref name="UKCharts">Template:Cite web</ref> The single "Truganini" referenced multiple issues, including the 'last' Tasmanian Aboriginal, the treatment of indigenous artist Albert Namatjira, the Australian flag debate, and republicanism.<ref name="Vellutini">Template:Cite journal</ref> Liner notes for the single claimed "Truganini was the sole surviving Tasmanian Aborigine, the last of her race, when she died in 1876."<ref name="Vellutini"/>
The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, representing over 7000 contemporary Tasmanians, called for the single to be boycotted as it perpetuated a 'white' myth about the extinction of Tasmanian Aborigines.<ref name="Vellutini"/> Their Native Title claims hinged upon establishing links with ancestral lands. Gary Morris, their manager, responded with, "My suggestion to these people is to stop shooting themselves in the foot and let a band like Midnight Oil voice its appeal to White Australia on behalf of Black Australia".<ref name="Vellutini"/>
Critics contended that Morris disparaged Indigenous Australians' ability to represent themselves and overestimated Midnight Oil's ambassadorial powers while diminishing their errors, while some indigenous activists saw benefit in Midnight Oil's highlighting of the issues.<ref name="Vellutini"/> "Truganini" released in March peaked at No. 10 on the ARIA singles charts,<ref name="AusCharts"/> No. 10 on Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks and No. 4 on their Modern Rock Tracks charts,<ref name="BillS"/> and top 30 for the UK charts.<ref name="UKCharts"/>
Reception
[edit]Tom Demalon of AllMusic remarked, "If Earth and Sun and Moon isn't Midnight Oil's best effort, it's certainly close. The band still sticks to themes that are close to its heart -- the environment, native peoples, and other social causes -- but rarely has it managed to fashion an album full of songs that are as musically intoxicating."<ref name="amg"/>
Andrew McMillen of The Australian said, "At a time when Nirvana et al turned toward angst and distortion, the Oils opted for a bounty of rich vocal harmonies and highly melodic rock songs, including two bass-led career highlights that bookend its eighth album."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Track listing
[edit]Charts
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Weekly charts
[edit]| Chart (1993) | Peak position |
|---|
Year-end charts
[edit]| Chart (1993) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 36 |
| Canadian Albums (RPM)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 67 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 49 |
Certifications
[edit]Template:Certification Table Top Template:Certification Table Entry Template:Certification Table Entry Template:Certification Table Bottom
Personnel
[edit]Midnight Oil
- Peter Garrett – lead vocals, harmonica
- Bones Hillman – bass guitar, vocals
- Rob Hirst – drums, vocals
- Jim Moginie – guitar, keyboards, vocals
- Martin Rotsey – guitar
Recording details
- Producer – Nick Launay, Midnight Oil
- Engineer – Brent Clark, Nick Launay
- Mastering – Tony Cousins
- Mixing – Nick Launay
Artwork
- Design – Kevin Wilkins, Craig Simmons, Midnight Oil<ref name="Credits: Midnight Oil - Earth and Sun and Moon">Template:Cite web</ref>