Men At Work's <i>Business As Usual</i>

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Recently remastered and re-released with the inevitable extra tracks, what say you of this record-breaking debut album? Cursed with the albatross of the "Best New Artist" grammy, they only mustered a couple of albums after this before sinking from view, but this one remains their signature. Quirky Aussie pop with an undercurrent of wry intelligence......or crass Police-wannabe fodder'n'filler? Never cared much for the novetly of "Who Can It Be Now?", but "Be Good Johnny" and "Helpless Automaton" still do it for me....even if slightly dated.

Bonus question: who is their contemporary equivalent?

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 18:09 (twenty-two years ago)

For historical context, I brought this LP home the same day as I bought Speak of the Devil, the live Sabbath-tune set by Ozzy Osbourne. Suffice to say, my family was more appreciative of the former than the latter.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 18:10 (twenty-two years ago)

First full-length vinyl record I ever owned, given to me as a gift for X-mas when it came out.

― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 18:16 (twenty-two years ago)

Funnily enough, it says "Produced for Reissue by Bruce Dickinson"

Couldn't be the same gent, could it?

http://www.screamforme.com/Bruce_Dickinson0391.JPG
"Aye Come from a Land Dowwwwn Unduuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhh!"

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 18:32 (twenty-two years ago)

They probably mean the Bruce Dickinson who wanted more cowbell.

God what a horrible album cover.

― My name is Kenny (My name is Kenny), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 20:36 (twenty-two years ago)

yeah, what the fuck is up with that cover. whazit supposed to mean?

― King Kobra (King Kobra), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 20:49 (twenty-two years ago)

Anyone who gets stuck into this record will be taken outside and bashed by the Australians. You have been warned.

― colin s barrow (colin s barrow), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 21:09 (twenty-two years ago)

MEN AT WORK: CLASSIC.

UH!
*bumps 'n' grinds*

― Francis Watlington (Francis Watlington), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 21:26 (twenty-two years ago)

take his arms colin

― gaz (gaz), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 21:38 (twenty-two years ago)

The singles were part of my happy youth in the early eighties and I mock the Australians here for their traducement of my joy.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 21:39 (twenty-two years ago)

ah Ned, i hate to do this to you

take his legs colin

― gaz (gaz), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 21:45 (twenty-two years ago)

*weeps*

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 21:47 (twenty-two years ago)

incidently at the time i was a serious young man, with heavy artistic pretentions. i have no hate for Men at Work lovers now. at the time they represented something which i dismissed sneeringly. i cannot get over that feeling when they're mentioned.

heck, get me drunk and i'd know all the words...

― gaz (gaz), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 21:49 (twenty-two years ago)

the second one is slightly better
but classic
"i can see it in your eyes" - gorgeous & simple

― mig, Thursday, 3 July 2003 01:07 (twenty-two years ago)

"Overkill" was pretty nice as well.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 3 July 2003 01:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Is "It's a Mistake" on that album?
(Checks AMG)
No, it came later. Hmm, it's a good album but I'm surprised my favorite MAW song isn't on it.

My impressions of seeing them live about 2 years ago: Colin's voice is fantastic; the whole band (original sax player guy, and probably others, but also some obvious ringers) was really tight and powerful. And well dressed, I distinctly remember -- nice colorful button-down shirts with matching solid-color trousers. It was a double bill with (wait for it) ... Howard Jones. Good fun.

― Paul in Santa Cruz (Paul in Santa Cruz), Thursday, 3 July 2003 02:35 (twenty-two years ago)

Right! *Adjusts bow tie and reparts hair in toilet mirror*. Nice to see everyone's behaving themselves at last. We're all friends here, aren't we? *Hands Gaz a handkerchief to wipe the blood of his shirt*. We're all here to say nice things about Men at Work. Because we love them. They're cute, they're Australian, and Australian is cute.

No more nasty words, no more bloody noses. Simple. *jukebox launches into 'Land Down Under'*

― colin s barrow (colin s barrow), Thursday, 3 July 2003 04:43 (twenty-two years ago)

nine years pass...

30 years old today

this was the first cassette tape i ever bought

― mookieproof, Tuesday, 14 August 2012 01:18 (thirteen years ago)

First LP I ever bought with my own money. Still love it unreservedly, though Cargo is better.

― EZ Snappin, Tuesday, 14 August 2012 01:56 (thirteen years ago)

one year passes...

More in-between than either classic or dud, I fear: http://nobilliards.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/men-at-work-business-as-usual.html

― Here he is with the classic "Poème Électronique." Good track (Marcello Carlin), Monday, 11 November 2013 18:07 (eleven years ago)

I'm still pissed that they lost the copyright case for "Down Under", but glad to see that the penalty they've had to pay isn't as punitive as it could have been.

― Ornate Coleman (Moodles), Monday, 11 November 2013 18:25 (eleven years ago)

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Men At Work's Business As Usual - Classic or Dud?