This was the first release from Australia’s Hoodoo Gurus, released in March 1984. The wonderful cover art really complements what’s inside: a lot of really great hoppin’ & boppin’ rock with elements of surf, punk & pop. This album dares you to stand still while listening.
The Gurus remind me of 10CC in their use of smart, fun, witty lyrics and fine musicianship in taking on all manner of topics, most of which aren’t your run of the mill rock themes (kamikaze pilots, sacrifices to a volcano being a couple). You can’t help but smile as you can’t help but bop.
Finding an album like this, without having heard it first, is the real joy of record hunting. Back in 1984, we didn’t have the whole internet to sample songs before making a purchase. We had to rely on hearing songs on the radio or taking chances based on whatever criteria one used (here’s mine). Here’s a review from a fellow reminiscing what it was like to hear this for the first time.
They carry on through a number of albums (link to wiki page), each of which carry at least one song that makes it onto many of my playlists, favourites being “Bittersweet”, “Come Anytime” and “1000 Miles Away”.