Max Q (album)

Max Q is the first and only studio album by Australian band Max Q. The album was released in September 1989. It was certified gold in Australia.

Max Q
Studio album by Max Q
Released	September 1989
Studio	Rhino Studios, Darlinghurst, New South Wales
Genre	Synthpop pop rock electronic
Length	46:07
Label	CBS
Producer	Michael Hutchence, Ollie Olsen
Singles from Max Q
"Way of the World" Released: 28 August 1989[1] "Sometimes" Released: 30 October 1989[2] "Monday Night by Satellite" Released: March 1990

At the ARIA Music Awards of 1990, the album was nominated for ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist – Album.^[3]

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[4]

Dan Jones said "Max Q deserves some long overdue attention. Constructed around Olsen's hybrid electronic song structures, Max Q explodes with invention at every turn. 'Sometimes' and 'Way of the World' bristle with a vibe of punk/agro meets disco/house splendor – an area bands like Depeche Mode and Massive Attack have explored in depth. Jittery guitars clash with looped percussion attacks, and Michael's raging vocal workouts head butt powerful orchestral flourishes and the odd sonic bleep. There's a lot of raw noise going on here, but some of it is certainly beautiful".^[5]

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Sometimes"	Ollie Olsen	5:33
2.	"Way of the World"	Olsen	4:09
3.	"Ghost of the Year"	Olsen	4:19
4.	"Everything"	Michael Hutchence, Olsen	4:57
5.	"Concrete"	Hutchence, Olsen	5:15
6.	"Zero-2-0"	Hutchence, Olsen	1:32
7.	"Soul Engine"	Hutchence, Olsen	3:51
8.	"Buckethead"	Olsen	4:01
9.	"Monday Night by Satellite"	Olsen	3:35
10.	"Tight"	Hutchence, Olsen	3:37
11.	"Ot-Ven-Rot"	Hutchence, Olsen	5:15

Japanese bonus tracks

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
12.	"Sometimes" (Rock House Extended)	Olsen	5:45
13.	"Way of the World" (12" Mix)	Olsen	4:37
14.	"Zero-2-O" (Todd Terry Mix)	Hutchence, Olsen	4:20
15.	"Ghost of the Year" (Todd Terry Mix)	Olsen	4:23

Personnel

Max Q members

• Michael Hutchence – vocals
• Ollie Olsen – producer
• Arne Hanna – guitar
• Michael Sheridan – guitar, feedback
• Bill McDonald – bass guitar
• Gus Till – piano, MIDI programming
• John Murphy – drums, percussion, trumpet, screams

Additional personnel

• Peggy Harley – backing vocals
• Marie Hoy – backing vocals ("Soul Engine")
• Pat Powell – backing vocals ("Bucket Head")
• Pam Ross – narration
• Paula Jones – engineer
• Design: Tony Redhead [Electric Paint] ^[6]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1989–1990)	Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[7]	13
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[8]	27
UK Albums (OCC)[9]	69
US Billboard 200[10]	182

Year-end charts

Chart (1989)	Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[11]	93

Certification

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[12]	Gold	35,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label	Catalogue
Australia	September 1989	CD LP Cassette	CBS	465906
Europe			Mercury Records	838 942
North America			Atlantic Records	82014
Japan	25 March 1990		Alfa International ALCB-38	ALCB-38