I'm not really sure if I can give a good indication of why this album is in my top ten. I don't remember many of the lyrics; I don't even know if I could name many songs on it. I do have a lot of good memories of the album though, and I am sure that it was one of those albums that you know just lays a good base for future musical purchases.

I really haven't listened to this album much a number of years. The tape I had of it has long since been lost; the CD I bought is missing after living with a number of roommates in the last 5 years; and I can't listen to the LP version of it I picked up last year because my record player is broken. However, the few listens that I do have under my belt in the last few years still convince me that this album still deserves to be in my top ten.

After I listened to Diesel and Dust a million times, I was quite anxious for their follow-up, Blue Sky Mining. It was pretty disappointing to me, and Midnight Oil has never made it back into my shortlist of bands that I buy every album from. I also went out of my way to buy an older Midnight Oil album, but was likewise disappointed. As far as I'm concerned, Diesel and Dust is the be-all and end-all of Midnight Oil albums.

I don't think that I like the lead singer Peter Garrett enough to enjoy a Midnight Oil concert. He reminds me a little of Michael Stipe in his over-politicizing and making everything a huge issue, but in his case (due to his intimidating nature) I don't think I will ever have the urge to punch him in the stomach. Since Midnight Oil is an Australian band, I don't know if they travel the States much. I don't think I would go out of my way to see them in concert.