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Geelong Growling

12/27/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For overseas readers, Magic Dirt are a band from Geelong, an industrial city near Melbourne, Australia that should have been levelled and redesigned as a toxic waste dump several years ago. Nothing ever goes the way of Geelong residents; their major bank collapsed in '91, the once booming car industry has found cheaper labour in Indonesia, and their beloved Geelong Cats football team are perennially second place in the AFL. Magic Dirt, arising from an incestuous but sometimes brilliant local band scene (their influence relies more on deceased nobodies like 'Bored' and the 'Seaweed Gorillas' than on Sonic Youth and Hole) reflected this desparation. In 'Friends in Danger', their first major album, Adalita Srsen growled at all around her, while the songs dwelt on festering disease, drug abuse and psycopathic urges, a remarkable contrast to the bubblegum punk-pop that Spiderbait and Jebediah were to represent Australian music. Too dark for most Australian listeners' tastes, the album was undeservedly neglected, receiving lukewarm praise. Yet for sheer power and ferocity, it was unsurpassed: here was, for once, a band that actually wanted to SAY something, and the cacophonic live shows were, for the 100 who saw them, staggering affairs. If you're new to Australian music, then you could do a lot worse than this intriguing album (also look out for their new one and the INCREDIBLE debut EPs Life Was Better Then and Signs of Satanic Youth)."

Brilliant Aussie Act Rocks On !!!

10/01/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Magic Dirt are definately continuing the fine tradition of teriffic Aussie Acts. After first hearing "Pristine Christine's" opening guitar riffs on their video on Rage (music video show) I knew I simply had to get this album. All I can say, is that I was even more blown away by this album than any other I've ever bought. Their sheer energy & passion is overwhelming. Adalita is an amazing vocalist & her lyrics are amazingly moving. After hearing how brilliant "Friends in Danger" is, I immediately went out & got their 2nd album "Young & Full Of The Devil". This album has a quite different feel to "Friends in Danger", but they both absolutely rock! :-)) Magic Dirt are a simply brilliant, fantastic, & unfortunately not so widely know Aussie Act."

If you want to get fired up, listen to this

11/18/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Adalita has the best Rock voice ever, put her up there with Janis Joplin. When she screams you know it is comming from within and not some fake agression,Magic dirt's swirling and fuzzy guitar rips through you and you are forcced to pess repeat after the songs,especially 1,2,3,4,6,7,10, wow give me more, and they did on Young and full of the devil. If they're in town don't miss them.There is also an element of "Artiness" in them that stands out,especially in live shows, whatever they can produce in the studio is converted just as well on stage, brilliant to listen to before a big night out."