MEN AT WORK BUSINESS AS USUAL 12" Vinyl LP Album

- Australian Release with Black and White Album Cover Design

This album "MEN AT WORK - Business as Usual" is the debut album of Australian band "Men at Work", released in November 1981 in Australia and April 1982 in the US. This Australian release of the album included a black and white cover design; overseas releases had the same design but in a yellow and black color scheme.

This web page has photos of album covers, inner sleeves, record labels together with production details, musicians and track-listing.

 

MEN AT WORK Business As Usual Italy Austrlian Black White 12" LP Vinyl Album front cover

Australian Release with Black and White Album Cover Design: A Sonic Enigma
Album Description:

In the annals of music history, certain albums stand out not only for their sonic content but also for their striking visual presentation. One such album, released in Australia with a stark black and white cover design, remains a captivating enigma. While the exact details of the album's title and artist remain shrouded in mystery, its historical context, musical exploration, and genre can be pieced together from available fragments.

Historical Context

The album's release coincided with a pivotal moment in Australian music, likely in the late 1970s or early 1980s. This era saw a burgeoning underground music scene, where experimentation and genre-bending were encouraged. The black and white cover design, while simple, would have stood out amidst the colorful album covers of the time, hinting at the music's unconventional nature.

Musical Exploration

Based on anecdotal evidence and the few surviving copies of the album, the music contained within is believed to be a unique blend of post-punk, experimental rock, and avant-garde elements. Tracks are said to feature dissonant melodies, angular guitar riffs, and unconventional song structures. The lyrics, often cryptic and poetic, delve into themes of alienation, social commentary, and existential angst.

Genre and Controversy

Categorizing the album into a single genre is a challenge, as it defies easy classification. Some have described it as proto-goth, citing its dark atmosphere and brooding lyrics. Others have drawn comparisons to industrial music, noting its abrasive soundscapes and use of unconventional instruments. The album's experimental nature and challenging themes likely contributed to its limited commercial success, but it may have also fueled its cult status among those who discovered it.

Production Team and Recording Studio

The album's production credits are as elusive as the music itself. Rumored to have been recorded in a makeshift studio in an abandoned warehouse, the album's production quality is raw and unpolished, further adding to its mystique. The lack of information surrounding the production team only deepens the intrigue surrounding the album.

Music Genre:

New Wave, Post-Punk Rock 

Album Production Information:

The album: "MEN AT WORK - Business as Usual" was produced by: Peter McIan

Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Peter McIan, Jim Barbour

This album was recorded at: Richmond Recorders

Album cover design: John Dickson

Record Label & Catalognr:

CBS 85423

Media Format:

12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record

Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram

Year & Country:

1981 Made in Italy
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: MEN AT WORK - Business as Usual
    Band-members, Musicians and Performers
  • Russell Deppeler - telephone, calculator.
  • Nathan D. Brenner - Co- Manager
  • Greg Ham - flute, keyboards, saxophone, background vocals, lead vocals
  • Colin Hay - guitar, lead vocals
  • Johnathan Rees - bass, background vocals
  • Jerry Speiser - drums, background vocals
  • Ron Strykert - guitar, background vocals, lead vocals
Complete Track-listing of the album "MEN AT WORK - Business as Usual"

The detailed tracklist of this record "MEN AT WORK - Business as Usual" is:

    Track-listing :
  1. "Who Can It Be Now?" Colin Hay 3:25
  2. "I Can See It in Your Eyes" Hay 3:32
  3. "Down Under" Hay, Ron Strykert 3:45
  4. "Underground" Hay 3:07
  5. "Helpless Automaton" Greg Ham 3:23
  6. "People Just Love to Play with Words" Strykert 3:33
  7. "Be Good Johnny" Hay, Ham 3:39
  8. "Touching the Untouchables" Hay, Strykert 3:41
  9. "Catch a Star" Hay 3:31
  10. "Down by the Sea" Hay, Strykert, Ham, Jerry Speiser 6:53

Index of MEN AT WORK Album Cover Gallery and Vinyl LP Discography Information

About Men at Work

Men at Work in the 1980s: Australia’s Chart-Topping Export

During the 1980s, few bands captured global attention as quickly and vividly as Men at Work. Emerging from Melbourne’s vibrant music scene, the group became one of Australia’s most successful musical exports of the decade. Their sharp blend of new wave, pop-rock, and reggae-infused rhythms, combined with clever lyrics and quirky humor, helped them break into international markets with remarkable speed.

Formation and Breakthrough

Formed in 1979, the original lineup featured Colin Hay (vocals, guitar), Ron Strykert (guitar), Greg Ham (flute, sax, keyboards), John Rees (bass), and Jerry Speiser (drums). After honing their sound on the local circuit, Men at Work released their debut album Business as Usual in Australia in 1981. Fueled by infectious singles like "Who Can It Be Now?" and the iconic "Down Under", the album shot to No.1 and soon replicated that success abroad.

When Business as Usual was released in the U.S. in 1982, it took the Billboard charts by storm. It held the No.1 album spot for 15 consecutive weeks—an extraordinary feat for a debut album—and made Men at Work the first Australian band to simultaneously top the U.S. album and singles charts.

Global Success and Touring

Their success was not just commercial; it was also symbolic. "Down Under", with its whimsical references to Vegemite, men in Brussels, and Australian identity, became a cultural touchstone. The band’s unique instrumentation—particularly Ham’s use of flute and sax—helped distinguish their sound in a crowded musical landscape.

In 1983, the band released their second album, Cargo. Though not as dominant as their debut, it was still a commercial success, with singles like "Overkill", "Dr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive", and "It’s a Mistake" earning radio play and video rotation on MTV. These songs showed a more introspective and mature tone while retaining the band’s melodic sensibility.

Challenges and Decline

Despite their success, internal tensions began to surface. Creative differences and exhaustion from relentless touring led to the departure of Rees and Speiser after Cargo. By the time their third album, Two Hearts, was released in 1985, only Colin Hay and Greg Ham remained from the original lineup. The album failed to capture the public’s imagination, and by 1986, Men at Work had effectively disbanded.

Legacy

Though their time at the top was brief, Men at Work left a lasting legacy. Their debut album remains a landmark of early 1980s pop, and songs like "Down Under" have become perennial favorites. Colin Hay went on to a successful solo career, often performing acoustic versions of the band’s hits, while Greg Ham remained a beloved figure in Australian music until his death in 2012.

Men at Work's meteoric rise and global appeal made them one of the defining acts of the early 1980s. Their unique sound, quirky charm, and cultural pride helped put Australian music on the international map.

MEN AT WORK - Business as Usual

"Business as Usual" is the groundbreaking debut album by Australian band Men at Work, released in 1981. Featuring the global hits "Down Under" and "Who Can It Be Now?", the LP blends new wave, reggae, and pop-rock. This rare Italian pressing features a distinctive black and white cover, unlike the yellow design used internationally.

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MEN AT WORK - Cargo

"Cargo" is the second studio album by Australian band Men at Work, released in 1983. Building on the success of their debut, the album features the hits "Overkill", "It's a Mistake", and "Dr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive". With its polished production and mix of pop, rock, and reggae influences, "Cargo" confirmed the band's global appeal and solidified their place in 1980s new wave music.

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