Cargo

by

Men at Work

Edit

Men At Work's second album was released in the Spring of 1983 when their debut album was still in the Top Ten. And while "Business As Usual" would prove to be a hard act to follow, the success of this album was enough for them to avoid the dreaded sophomore jinx.

"Cargo" yielded two huge hit singles: the creepy "Overkill" and the anti-nuclear anthem "It's A Mistake" along with the minor hit "Dr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive". Other noteworthy tracks include "Settle Down My Boy" written and sung by Ron Strykert, "No Sign Of Yesterday", "Blue For You", and "High Wire". Unfortunately there are at least two tracks here worthy of being called filler: "Upstairs In My House" and "No Restrictions".

The bonus tracks are interesting at best. The humorous "Shintaro" and the mostly instrumental "Till The Money Runs Out" were B-sides while the last two live tracks, the reggae sounding "Fallin' Down" and "The Longest Night" haven't appeared previously on a Men At Work album until now.

Differences in songwriting & management took its effect on this album resulting in two members leaving a year later and eventually their breakup but this album proved that they could still make good music together. "Cargo" may not be quite as solid as "Business As Usual" but if you grew up in the eighties listening to MAW like I did, then I strongly suggest you add this to your collection. Because they may have been together for only a short time, but they accomplished so much in that short amount of time that they've become one of the most memorable bands of the eighties..maybe of all time.

Okay, maybe not.

"Cargo" came rapidly on the heels of "Business As Usual", due to, among other things, the amazing staying power and deserved popularity of that first album.

As a complete piece, "Cargo" really can't compare, but it completely avoids the dreaded "sophomore slump" afflicting most new bands.

"Overkill" still stands a great single from the '80's, and there are a number of other equally engaging tracks on the disc, "No Restrictions", "High Wire", "It's A Mistake".

But to be fair, there are other songs that are just a bit boring...made more so if you listen to their first two albums back to back.

Here's the thing: you'll NEED this record if you buy the first one. They're sort of two pieces of a better whole. And there's enough here to make your purchase worthy.

One last thing - I loved Colin Hay's voice. It was one of the better ones on the radio at the time...and you always knew immediately who it was...