They were never Australia's biggest rock band (that honor goes to
AC/DC) or the best (this writer gives that honor to
Radio Birdman), but there are few (if any) bands from the Antipodes who were more consistently, purely enjoyable than
the Hoodoo Gurus. Capable of playing revved-up garage rock, sparkling uptempo pop, muscular hard rock, and various combinations thereof,
the Hoodoo Gurus could do it all with an engaging sense of humor that never turned their songs into jokes, and with the energy, enthusiasm, swagger, and chops to make their songs come alive and stomp about all night long.
The Hoodoos made more than a few brilliant albums in their day, but anyone who doubts their genius as a singles act is advised to avail themselves of
Gold Watch: 20 Golden Greats, which compiles the bulk of the band's 7" A-sides and delivers one instant classic after another for 73 minutes. While the majority of the band's fans consider the 1984-1989 stretch from
Stoneage Romeos to
Magnum Cum Louder to be the band's glory days (and only a fool would argue the excellence of "Bittersweet," "I Want You Back," "Like Wow -- Wipeout!," or "Come Anytime" from this period), give a spin to the latter-day cuts included here and you'll discover that "Waking Up Tired," "Miss Freelove '69," and "I Hope You're Happy" are just as fine on their own terms, and the new number included here, "Use-By Date," confirms this band isn't out of gas just yet.
The Hoodoo Gurus have made enough great music that a box set is in order by now, but if you want a single-disc summation of this band's dedication to all that is cool and joyous in rock & roll, then
Gold Watch delivers the goods in style. ~ Mark Deming