Blue Sky Mining


Blue Sky Mining is the seventh studio album by Australian rock band Midnight Oil, released on 9 February 1990 under the Columbia Records label. This was the band's first studio album with bassist and backing vocalist Bones Hillman, who would remain in the group until his death in 2020. It peaked at number one on the Australian [Recording Industry Association|ARIA] albums chart. It stayed at number one for two weeks in Australia and had Top 5 chart success in Sweden, Switzerland and Norway. It peaked at number 20 on the Billboard 200 and number 28 on the UK charts. A limited release of the album featured a clear, blue vinyl.

Background

Blue Sky Mining retains the alternative rock sound and Warne Livesey production of the band's previous album, Diesel and Dust, but is "more defiant and outspoken." The single "Blue Sky Mine" describes asbestos exposure in the Wittenoom mine tragedy. The lead single peaked at number eight on the ARIA singles charts, top 15 in Norway and Switzerland, number 47 on Billboard Hot 100 and number one on both their Mainstream and Modern Rock Tracks charts, and appeared on the UK charts. The second single, "Forgotten Years", was more moderately successful, reaching number 26 on the ARIA singles chart, number 97 in the UK, number 11 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks, and number one on the Modern Rock Tracks.
Hirst later said, "Warne's whole thing was to get as close to aural perfection as you possibly could, or as close as we were ever going to get - and Rhino the sort of place to do it. It was indulgent, excessive, and it was the kind of luxury that's afforded to bands with a hit album, which we had." Moginie added, "I didn't realise that we were making a commercial record and we certainty never set out to. We ended up going for good songs and lots of acoustic guitars, and it worked."

Reception

At the ARIA Music Awards of 1991, Midnight Oil won 'Best Group' and an 'Outstanding Achievement Award', and were awarded 'Best Cover Art', 'Best Video' and 'Album of the Year' for Blue Sky Mining. Manager Gary Morris, accepting awards for Midnight Oil, was criticised for a speech lasting 20 minutes.

Track listing

  • * Some early Australian copies included the track "You May Not Be Released" - it was the B-side to a 12-inch issue of "Forgotten Years," and it is believed that this only appeared on the first 1,000 LP copies. It also appeared on early cassette copies and CDs.

    Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Personnel

Midnight Oil
Additional personnel