Cold Chisel – Circus Animals (Album Review)

An Australian masterpiece ruined by remastering! 

Yes, dear reader, Circus Animals is, without a doubt, one of the greatest Australian releases of the 80s, but the 2011 remastered edition makes me want to stop playing the album in disgust. Seriously, it sounds as if the life has been sucked out of the recording. The energy is gone. Barnsey might as well be a pop star from the 60s as much of his vocal grittiness is missing and the entire remastered album sounds so shallow that I’m not sensing a soundstage beyond my speakers. There’s certainly no room-filling sound that ensures their pub-rock legacy is maintained.

Adding insult to injury, Circus Animals is presented as an Apple Digital Master; proving that mastering matters far more than the delivery method for the Apple Digital Master process usually brings out the very best in the recording. Not this time! 

I’d turn to Qobuz, but the same mastering can be found there as well, meaning that to fully enjoy this album, I’m going to have to seek out one of the initial vinyl editions, or a pre-remastered CD. While many readers would likely declare that this should have been my first act before penning a review, think for a moment of the new fans, perhaps experiencing Cold Chisel for the very first time, and then suggest to them that they should go and get a beaten up original pressing because the record label, band, and mastering engineer had to reduce the dynamic range, increase the loudness of the recording, thereby making it more fatiguing to listen to. 

I just hope that in their infinite wisdom, someone kept, under lock and key, the original first-generation mastering tapes for a future reissue when this type of mastering style comes to an end. 

Yes, dear reader, I’ve reflected on the negative thus far but I’ll try to refocus my attention to the music itself for it is truly iconic and deserves to be celebrated nonetheless.

Released in 1982, Circus Animals, Cold Chisel’s fourth studio album, would not only top the charts but would deliver a slew of instant classics. Showcasing Chisel at the height of their creativity, Circus Animals perfectly blends the band’s raw energy, poignant lyrics, and a diverse musical palette while featuring one of the most remarkable ballads ever recorded; When The War Is Over. Of course, Circus Animals is far more than a singular song, so join me as I take a look at the individual songs that make up this landmark release.

You Got Nothing I Want is about as raw as Australian rock and roll gets. The song's catchy chorus, coupled with Barnes' powerhouse vocals, sets a rebellious tone, with a defiant and energetic rhythm, that establishes the album's overall attitude.

Bow River is a blues-infused rock masterpiece. It’s a shame that the mastering is lacklustre because this is not only one of the greatest songs Cold Chisel ever recorded, but it deserves to be turned up to 11 without the dreaded listening fatigue entering the equation.

Forever Now has a beautiful melody and arrangement and while some may prefer Chisel’s harder-hitting hits, Forever Now is an incredible ballad-styled tuned with a sing-a-long chorus that is simply captivating.

Taipan introduces a more experimental and atmospheric sound. The instrumental interplay, tribal rhythm, and dynamic shifts in this track showcase the band's musical dexterity, adding a layer of complexity to the album, thereby demonstrating why they are so revered.

Houndog might well be an album-only tune, but don’t let that deter you as this gritty bluesy number, with its driving rhythm, is exceptional.

Wild Colonial Boy is a solid tune, but while the combination of acoustic and electric elements is appealing, I’d argue that the song is too focused on the storytelling aspects. Granted, some people appreciate music for its literal interpretation, but as someone who considers the human vocal as an instrument in the mix, rather than a storytelling device, I find Wild Colonial Boy to be somewhat disjointed. 

No Good For You is a straightforward rock track and hidden gem. The guitar-driven arrangement and Barnes' commanding vocals, along with the backing vocals, are a perfect addition to the album as it has an infectious quality that will stay with you long after the album has ended. 

Numbers Fall has a killer synthetic entrance that morphs into a low-toned gritty bluesy masterpiece. With a blend of rock and new wave influences, Chisel further showcased their willingness to experiment with their sound ensuring that Numbers Fall sounds familiar, yet unique. 

When The War Is Over is, without doubt, one of the best songs ever written and recorded, by anyone, anywhere. Cold Chisel doesn’t get much better than this! Although, John Farnham’s rendition is spectacular. 

Letter To Alan is a fantastic closer that will encourage you to listen to Circus Animals again, but I’d suggest that When The War Is Over would have been a stronger closer. 

Remastering issues aside, Circus Animals is a masterful display of the band's musical prowess and artistic depth. While many consider this album to be Chisel’s greatest, perhaps only ever challenged for that position by East, I find that I would have to agree with that perspective for it is primarily hit after hit and plays like a Greatest Hits release, rather than a standard album. From the powerful vocals to the skilful instrumentation and thought-provoking lyrics, this album stands as a testament to Cold Chisel's status as one of Australia's most iconic rock bands. They certainly broke the mould when they chiselled out this masterpiece. 

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Cold Chisel – East (Album Review)

East may not be as polished as Circus Animals, but this 1980 release, the band’s third studio album, throws hit after hit at fans and music lovers. While more commercial than Breakfast At Sweethearts, and their self-titled debut, East is a further testament to the importance of extensive touring as it created a cohesive synergy within the band that translated to their work in the studio. Sadly, this element is missing from the contemporary Australian music scene.

Yes, you read that correctly, the modern live scene for musicians in Australia is at an all-time low, yet that wasn’t the case in the late 70s and 80s as countless bands sharpened their skills on the local pub and club scene. These days, bands go to practice; it simply isn’t the same. What better platform is there to test out new ideas and refine one’s sound than in front of a live audience? While we can, and will, lament the changing tide, there will likely never be an era in Australian Music as productive as that which drove Cold Chisel from obscurity to the top of the charts. 

East has become a timeless classic and in pondering the aspects that make this release so special, it must be noted that it’s the first Chisel album to include songs written by all band members, rather than Don Walker alone. Walker is a magnificent composer, but when you’ve got a band of very talented individuals, it pays to consider their contributions and it paid off in a big way. Not only were the songs exceptional but they all represent Cold Chisel perfectly. It would have been amazing to be a fly on the wall for you have to believe that the band knew they were writing a hit album. 

Of course, as musically talented as Cold Chisel are, Jimmy Barnes on lead vocal is the highlighting factor. His unique vocal style is sensational and despite his drug and alcohol abuse during the time, his vocal isn’t unnaturally slurred and is simply amazing. Ian Moss, similarly, deserves recognition and respect as he’s very much Barnes’ counterpart in that he provides listeners with a less chiselled (yes, pun intended!) vocal that works exceedingly well as a backing vocal. Moss is also incredibly talented on lead vocals and that is no more apparent than on My Baby. 

There is, however, a problem. The mastering isn’t great. Disappointingly, the same problems I have with Circus Animals are repeated here and despite being a (Hi-Res) Lossless Apple Digital Master, it doesn’t help. Yes, some songs sound far better than others but the mastering is hot and subsequently sounds a little wimpish in the mid to low end as there’s most certainly a focus on clarity and the treble range. Some of you may prefer that sound signature, but I feel it weakens the oomph of the band. Subsequently, I find that I need to apply EQ to get the most out of the album as it simply doesn’t hit the emotive chords as much as I’d like or as much as other albums from the era do.

Standing On The Outside is a great tune but has one of the all-time worst openers as it doesn’t glide the listener into the music. Its tempo is the real issue here and I find myself preferring to put East on shuffle to avoid this abruptness. A subjective viewpoint, certainly, as I’m sure many would consider it the greatest opening track of any Chisel album.

Never Before transitions from Standing On The Outside beautifully and would have been my preferred choice as the opening track as it’s one of my favourite Cold Chisel songs. Musically it’s a masterpiece with an instrumental element, mid-song, that is simply stunning.

Choirgirl is an absolute classic. I dare say there isn’t an Australian that hasn’t heard this blues-focused ballad. While the context of the song may be seen as somewhat controversial, the song itself is compelling in that Jimmy Barnes and Ian Moss have recorded masterful lyrics. That said, I’d ideally like to hear Moss’ vocal being more forward in the mix, but the culmination of Barnes and Moss is what musical dreams are made of. 

Rising Sun is a fun little tune mixing rock and roll with old-school country music techniques. There’s more of an American feel to the song than an Australian influence, but that isn’t necessarily a distraction for Rising Sun is most certainly suited to Cold Chisel and in some ways can be seen as a precursor to Barnes’ later solo explorations on albums such as Soul Deep.

My Baby is a killer pop-rock tune with Ian Moss on lead vocals and Joe Camilleri performing a masterful saxophone solo. My Baby was composed by bassist Phil Small; one of his few contributions as a writer in Cold Chisel. There’s little doubt, in my mind, that My Baby is not only one of Chisel’s greatest recordings, but it’s one of the very best songs ever recorded. Moss, as lead vocalist for My Baby, was undoubtedly the best choice as his vocal smoothness works incredibly well with the song.

Tomorrow is a solid album tune. Sometimes that’s all that’s required. 

Cheap Wine is another Chisel staple and when I suggest that East plays akin to a greatest hits release, rather than a standalone studio album, it’s songs such as Cheap Wine that uphold this opinion.

Best Kept Lies shifts the tempo a little with a fun bebop influence mixed in for good measure. Best Kept Lies is unlikely anyone’s favourite Cold Chisel tune, but there’s something compelling about it that can’t be denied. If nothing else, it should be at the top of any Deep Cuts playlist. 

Ita is a great tune and while I could question the lyrics, this is one of those songs where I turn the analytical side of my brain off and enjoy the vocals as an instrument within the mix.

Star Hotel is a musical masterstroke. As with Ita, I prefer to hear the vocal as an instrument, rather than a storytelling device, and in this way, I can thoroughly enjoy Star Hotel without acknowledgement of the 1979 riot that is at the core of the song.

Four Walls is one of Chisel’s greatest tunes.

My Turn To Cry is a solid closer to East and encourages the playing of the album again. No, it isn’t the strongest song on the album, or even worthy of Cold Chisel’s legacy, but it works. 

Overall, East is an exceptional release that has only ever been overshadowed by Circus Animals; a truly incredible album that builds on what East was able to achieve. While Cold Chisel has an incredible legacy far exceeding these records, it’s these early 80s albums that, for me at least, represent the very best of this iconic Australian rock and roll band.    

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