Circus Animals (Remastered)

iTunes Review

Circus Animals comes charging out of the gate with the opening track “You Got Nothing I Want.” Singer Jimmy Barnes’ acerbic comment on record company dealings during a frustrating American tour — in support of the U.S. release of East — was the lead-off single from this, Cold Chisel’s fourth studio album. Once again produced by Mark Opitz, the record upheld the group’s depth and breadth as a creative unit. Guitarist Ian Moss contributed the poppy “No Good for You” as well as the astonishingly powerful “Bow River”, a working-class anthem that sees the protagonist planning his getaway from the 9-to-5 grind. Drummer Steve Prestwich flexes his songwriting muscle with tremendous results; the beautifully melodic love song “Forever Now” was a #4 hit single and soulful piano ballad “When the War is Over” went on to become a standard outside of the band’s regular remit. The remaining five songs were Don Walker compositions, with “Houndog” one of his toughest riff-rockers while the emotional roller-coaster ride of “Letter to Alan” is the album’s piece de resistance, during which Mossy delivers one of his greatest guitar solos.