Album
Business As Usual
1981 · Rock
114 collectors on Gatefold own this
Business As Usual is an Electronic album by Men At Work, originally released in 1981. On Gatefold: 208 pressings tracked, owned by 114 collectors.
About
Given the ubiquity of singles such as “Down Under” and “Who Can It Be Now?”, it’s difficult to believe that Men At Work’s debut album was rejected twice by the band’s US record label, CBS, because they didn’t think it contained any hits. They were, of course, wrong. While “Down Under” has become something of a default Australian national anthem—introducing the world to the word “chunder,” a slang term for vomit—in reality it’s less a celebration of the country than a comment on the perils of plundering its natural wealth for short-term gain. Indeed, for what is ostensibly a pop album there are some surprisingly dark themes, with “Who Can It Be Now?” riffing on seclusion and paranoia; the Devo-esque “Helpless Automaton” on fears about technology; “I Can See It In Your Eyes” addresses the death of a relationship; and “Be Good Johnny” is about a young boy who feels misunderstood by the adults in his life. Such topics are welcome counterpoints to the music, which dances with ska on “Catch a Star,” New Wave (“Helpless Automaton”), prog (“Touching the Untouchables”), and clever, nuanced pop songwriting throughout.
via Apple Music
The Clerk says
The Clerk knows this whole record — the pressing quirks, the credits, the take.
Tracklist
Side A
- A1Who Can It Be Now?3:20
- A2I Can See It In Your Eyes3:26
- A3Down Under3:39
- A4Underground3:04
- A5Helpless Automaton3:18
Side B
- B1People Just Love To Play With Words3:33
- B2Be Good Johnny3:33
- B3Touching The Untouchables3:47
- B4Catch A Star3:28
- B5Down By The Sea6:48
Sound DNA
- Electronic
- Synth-Pop / New Wave
- clean
- playful
- coastal
Credits
The people behind it.
Performers
- Colin HayBAND , VOCALS, GUITAR GUITAR GUITAR, VOCALS
- Greg HamBAND , SAXOPHONE , FLUTE, VOCALS, KEYBOARDS, FIDDLE BAND , SAXOPHONE, FLUTE, VOCALS, KEYBOARDS PERFORMER , SAXOPHONE, FLUTE, VOCALS, KEYBOARDS, OTHER
- Jerry SpeiserBAND , DRUMS, VOCALS DRUMS DRUMS, VOCALS
- John ReesBAND , BASS, VOCALS BASS BASS, VOCALS
- Ron StrykertBAND , GUITAR, VOCALS GUITAR GUITAR, HARMONY VOCALS, VOCALS
- Russell DeppelerPERFORMER , MANAGEMENT
114 collectors on Gatefold own this · 208 pressings tracked on Gatefold
Start your shelf.
Track your pressings of Business As Usual, get the Clerk's take, and see what the record is worth — free.
Start your shelf →Free forever. Works with 10 records or 10,000.