Oil & Gold
Shriekback · 1985
44 min · 10 tracks · post-punk
A complex tapestry of post-punk rhythms interwoven with eclectic instrumentation and thought-provoking lyrical themes.
Top tracks — play these first
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Malaria — Opening with a gripping bassline and hypnotic rhythm, this track sets the tone for the album's exploration of darker themes through infectious grooves.
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This Big Hush — This track stands out with its haunting vocals and layered instrumentation, encapsulating the album's thematic depth and emotional resonance.
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Health and Knowledge and Wealth and Power — The song combines sharp social commentary with a driving beat, exemplifying the band's ability to merge critique with memorable melodies.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases innovative rhythms and eclectic instrumentation, making it a notable entry in post-punk.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a driving bass line in 'Malaria' that sets a rhythmic foundation, while the subsequent tracks introduce varied instrumentation, including synthesizers and horns.
- Lyrically, the album explores abstract themes and social commentary, with songs like 'Health and Knowledge and Wealth and Power' employing dense imagery and metaphor.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo groove exploration
- haunting melodies for introspection
- eclectic rhythms for focused work
- in-order listening for cohesion
Maybe skip if you
- dislike steady, consistent pacing
- prefer instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Oil & Gold is Shriekback's second studio album, released in 1985 after their debut, Tench. At this point in their career, the band was experimenting with an increasingly diverse sound palette, blending elements of funk, rock, and electronic music while establishing their unique identity within the post-punk scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Pop Group· Gang of Four· This Heat
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Malaria 4:29
- 2 Everything That Rises Must Converge 4:03
- 3 Fish Below the Ice 4:24
- 4 This Big Hush 6:11
- 5 Faded Flowers 3:44
- 6 Nemesis 3:43
- 7 Only Thing That Shines 4:23
- 8 Health and Knowledge and Wealth and Power 4:44
- 9 Hammerheads 4:17
- 10 Coelocanth 4:13
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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