The Church - C or D/S&D/CB&TT

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Actually, wait, you liked Koppes' the best? Wow, that's a minority opinion! Willson-Piper's are generally my fave.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 10 September 2003 23:15 (twenty years ago) link

(just put it on again) tyrant and judgement day have george w all over them

kephm, Wednesday, 10 September 2003 23:37 (twenty years ago) link

The Church has a new song out? My childhood calls, and I'm praying it doesn't scream "rehash of warmed-over synths"

Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Wednesday, 10 September 2003 23:56 (twenty years ago) link

Willson-Piper's songs within the confines of The Church are usually great, but left to his own devices I find he loses focus. Koppes is more restrained both with the band and solo and that makes repeated listening an easier task.

Kilbey's somewhere in the middle.

Andrew Frye (paul cox), Thursday, 11 September 2003 00:38 (twenty years ago) link

Yeah, "After Everything" was their best album since "Priest=Aura", so I'm interested to hear the new one. The title track was in my Top 5 of 2002.

blutroniq (blutroniq), Thursday, 11 September 2003 01:18 (twenty years ago) link

They are one of the most consistently good bands I can think of, so I bet it will be a pretty great album.

As for S&D I actually (contradicting my above statement a bit) Don't like Starfish nearly as much as Heyday or also Remote Luxury (which I feel are the 2 best). This was one of the first bands I got into when I started listening to music. They have such a nostalgia for me, and thier sound only encourages this.

A Nairn (moretap), Thursday, 11 September 2003 01:35 (twenty years ago) link

I've been listening to Forget Yourself for the past week and I can't think of many other bands (maybe The Cure) that 20 years into their career puts out an album as inscrutable as this. No one track has grabbed me in the same way that "Numbers" did, but as a whole the album is one big sprawling splat of brooding ruminations. Can't listen to it as a collection of songs, but as a linear piece. It reminds me more of T.Rex than anything else and I mean that in the best possible ways.

Best since Priest = Aura. And P=A is my fave album of theirs.

Chris Barrus (Chris Barrus), Thursday, 11 September 2003 03:08 (twenty years ago) link

Chris and Ned are taunting us, and I don't like it one bit.

Andrew Frye (paul cox), Thursday, 11 September 2003 03:38 (twenty years ago) link

These guys are my brother's favorite band. I think they're like a wannabe Chameleons and pretty boring. Their only album I've heard of 4 or 5, that I think is more than so-so is Starfish- but their best of "Almost Yesterday" is 1/2 decent and 1/2 absolutely classic. Well, thanks because this is good stuff to pass on to him.

sucka (sucka), Thursday, 11 September 2003 04:36 (twenty years ago) link

a wannabe Chameleons

As a Chameleons hyperfanatic, I see the point of comparison, but really I think they're two different bands with a slew of shared core influences in common, nothing more.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 11 September 2003 04:59 (twenty years ago) link

Most of the Church's pre-Starfish albums are their best. Starfish is more or less where the rest of the world discovered them courteousy of Under The Milky Way. The Blurred Crusade is my personal fave, one of those rare beasts that you can play from woe to gowithout pressing the skip button once.

mentalist (mentalist), Thursday, 11 September 2003 05:00 (twenty years ago) link

This isn't usually the case, but The Church's most popular album, Starfish, is actually my favorite. I usually dig it out every October and listen to it habitually for a couple weeks. At first, this practice was just a cyclic coincidence, but has since become a planned ritual...I may start early this year.

Andrew Frye (paul cox), Thursday, 11 September 2003 05:10 (twenty years ago) link

Hologram of Baal is both my favourite of theirs and was, at the time at least, my favourite album from '98. But for some reason I never got the follow-up, as if one that album everything i wanted to get from The Church had been satiated. Was I mistaken? Will I like this new one if that's my point of reference? (I love Priest=Aura too).

Tim Finney (Tim Finney), Thursday, 11 September 2003 06:35 (twenty years ago) link

Knowing your current loves, Tim, I'm of two minds -- you might find this mere frosting on the cake in some cases, but I honestly think this really is a particular step up, at least in terms of rearranging and reinterpreting their own passions and approach in a (for them) strong new way. Even if the follow up (I assume you mean After Everything rather than the covers album) didn't work for you as much, at least give this one a listen.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 11 September 2003 14:51 (twenty years ago) link

Can't wait to hear this new one! Going to dig up Kilbey's "Remindlessness" tonite and play it.

Jay Vee (Manon_70), Thursday, 11 September 2003 15:05 (twenty years ago) link

[Box of Birds] is the sleeper in the Church catalog. Remedies both the energy crisis that slowly overtook them and their collective inability to write catachphrases.

Dock Miles (Dock Miles), Thursday, 11 September 2003 17:13 (twenty years ago) link

six months pass...
Time to revive a bit, as the US tour is on and "Telepath" from Forget Yourself is so spectacularly good it hurts.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 30 March 2004 02:50 (twenty years ago) link

Search: "The Unguarded Moment", the GREATEST! INTRO! GUITAR! RIFF! EVER!!!!

Mr. Snrub (Mr. Snrub), Tuesday, 30 March 2004 02:56 (twenty years ago) link

And wasn't it all mostly improvised off of jams?

I wasn't very impressed to see them live. I mean it was interesting and all but they were doing a partly acoustic set and the recordings are soo much better. Maybe if I see them do a full electric set it'll be better.

A Nairn (moretap), Tuesday, 30 March 2004 02:57 (twenty years ago) link

(x-post)

A Nairn (moretap), Tuesday, 30 March 2004 02:57 (twenty years ago) link

Was this recently, A? Because the last few times I've seen them it's all been electric to my knowledge. The report of the Saturday night show was megasprawling electric stoned weirdness, which I'm all for.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 30 March 2004 03:00 (twenty years ago) link

it was just after the release of after everything now this

A Nairn (moretap), Tuesday, 30 March 2004 03:03 (twenty years ago) link

Blurred Crusade must be the greatest album released by any Australian band. Or maybe just the most influential.

mentalist (mentalist), Tuesday, 30 March 2004 04:04 (twenty years ago) link

neither, but it's good

the surface noise (electricsound), Tuesday, 30 March 2004 05:29 (twenty years ago) link

for all his way with a tune, i have a low opinion of kilbey's lyrical "skills"

the surface noise (electricsound), Tuesday, 30 March 2004 05:30 (twenty years ago) link

i try to listen to him in soft focus during those cringe-worthy bits. forget yourself sounds so good otherwise.

andrew m. (andrewmorgan), Tuesday, 30 March 2004 16:38 (twenty years ago) link

Classic.
saw 'em a few weeks back. they were LOUD and ELECTRIC
Marty is a guitar guru,& i hate this usually. the bassist wears shiny pants. kilbey could make more of an effort with singing but i am not comlaining
oh and they played the hits?

kephm, Tuesday, 30 March 2004 16:47 (twenty years ago) link

three months pass...
Revive because of this interview with Steve Kilbey

Much of it is Steve talking about the Isidore album he recorded with one of the Remy Zero guys (which I haven't heard yet), talk about the Beside Yourself collection of B-sides, and then there's this:

SK: I think it's definitely a good way to work, just sending files. You don't have to know anybody. I've been talking to, in a very, very early stage -- a mutual friend of ours introduced us over the Internet -- Sonic Boom from Spaceman 3 and Spectrum. Do you know who he is?

HS: Oh, yeah!

SK: He and I and another guy are talking about doing something together. So if it ends up being him just sending me music that he's done, or if it ends up me sending him that I've done, or however it's going to work out -- where he sends me a bit and I put a bit on top or whatever -- I'm very up for it because I think this is a really good way.

Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Monday, 26 July 2004 22:19 (nineteen years ago) link

A mutual friend, eh? ;-)

Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 26 July 2004 22:48 (nineteen years ago) link

Wasn't me!

Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Monday, 26 July 2004 23:17 (nineteen years ago) link

Ah well, it was a natural assumption. ;-) Anyway, that's most cool to hear about them rocking out on something, or wibbling out or whatever the heck. All Kate would need is the lead Sloan dude singing and she'd be set.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 26 July 2004 23:18 (nineteen years ago) link

I must say I sympathize with Tim Finney's position. Hologram of Baal just seemed to me to be everything I could possibly want in a Church album. I found After Everthing to be THE most disappointing Church album ever, and though I do think Forget Yourself is much better, I have sadly been unable to rekindle my love for them. It may just be a certain trajectory of life events that has left me in this state, though, I'm not really sure. Certainly they were a big part of my life for many years.

Unearthed is superb, a shamefully overlooked record.

Bimble (bimble), Tuesday, 27 July 2004 05:00 (nineteen years ago) link

Search: "The Unguarded Moment", the GREATEST! INTRO! GUITAR! RIFF! EVER!!!!

All guitars in heaven sound like that.

spittle (spittle), Tuesday, 27 July 2004 05:04 (nineteen years ago) link

"Hologram of Baal just seemed to me to be everything I could possibly want in a Church album. I found After Everthing to be THE most disappointing Church album ever, and though I do think Forget Yourself is much better, I have sadly been unable to rekindle my love for them".

See the mystery of personal tastes.
I didn't like that much _Hologram_, while _After Everything_ sounded to me like a kind of resurrection...anyway, the Church = great.

Marco Damiani (Marco D.), Tuesday, 27 July 2004 07:45 (nineteen years ago) link

one year passes...
For the past couple of months I've been listening to this...

http://homepage.mac.com/fipster/church/sleeves/albums/back-with-two-beasts.jpg

And HFS is it good. I can imagine the conversation in the studio when they were putting this together...

Willson-Piper: "Remember when we used to make those songs with all the 12-strings and chiming sounds"
Kilbey (wistfully): "Good times but what rubbish though"
W-P: "Think we can do it again?"
K: "I dare you to play that way. What do you say Pete?"
Koppes (via guitar feedback): SCREECH! PLONK! CRASH!

*half of album is recorded*

All: "arrgh, sod all this! Where's that Sonic Youth album?"

*band records 20 minute song*

K: "OK, can we get on with our REAL album now?"

The Equator Lounge (Chris Barrus), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 01:29 (eighteen years ago) link

Dang, I've been out of it. Has this been released yet or is this just a leak?

Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 01:33 (eighteen years ago) link

Dang, I've been out of it. Has this been released yet or is this just a leak?

It was released late last year.

The Equator Lounge (Chris Barrus), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 01:59 (eighteen years ago) link

Clearly I must shop after my birthday arrives.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 02:29 (eighteen years ago) link

I heard a song by the Church last week. It was called "Under the Milky Way." I liked it and will look for the 45 after I get a job.

naus (Robert T), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 02:56 (eighteen years ago) link

aw, one of my favorite things about the church are their lyrics. they've got the storytelling thing kinda like saint etienne except... it's like a really good D&D module set to music.

fortunate hazel (f. hazel), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 03:28 (eighteen years ago) link

"Reptile" is quite lovely.

Alfred, Lord Sotosyn (Alfred Soto), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 04:25 (eighteen years ago) link

The whole of Starfish is quite lovely. Probably in my top 15 albums of, like, ever.

Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Wednesday, 22 February 2006 05:05 (eighteen years ago) link

Damnit! I missed this too. Was just wondering yesterday what they were up to. Where's Tim Finney?

All the robots descend from the bus (Bimble...), Friday, 24 February 2006 18:41 (eighteen years ago) link

Apparently an EP called "Block" was just released last week. It's the single off the new "proper" album: Uninvited, Like The Clouds

The Equator Lounge (Chris Barrus), Friday, 24 February 2006 19:09 (eighteen years ago) link

my friend took me along to see bobby bare jr. last night and he and the band kept playing the riff to "reptile" between songs.

wangdangsweetpentangle (teenagequiet), Friday, 24 February 2006 19:18 (eighteen years ago) link

Heh.

So, this improv album and "Block" for my shopping. I can't complain.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 24 February 2006 19:27 (eighteen years ago) link

Yeah I'm a bit confused with this "proper" album vs. non-"proper" album business. Is Back With Two Beasts totally a jam thing then? Shouldn't I just wait for the proper album? Argh.

All the robots-UH descend from the bus-UH (Bimble...), Sunday, 26 February 2006 18:05 (eighteen years ago) link

one month passes...
Hey all you Church fans out there, a new Church album was released on April 17th called "Uninvited Like The Clouds"

Come to my Church band Multimedia website
http://www.violettown.com

We are keeping up with all the media out there, read some reviews

We have MP3 samplers for you to hear as well as
a Podcast and many other great essential tidbits a site for the Church
would have to house.

So come all ye faithful
http://www.violettown.com

Glen Jerald Page, Saturday, 22 April 2006 01:32 (seventeen years ago) link

I bought the album tonight at a store near me yes I did!

Porcupine Kiss, Novacaine Lips (Bimble...), Saturday, 22 April 2006 03:18 (seventeen years ago) link

Brought this up a few days ago:

The Church - Uninvited, Like the Clouds

BeeOK (boo radley), Saturday, 22 April 2006 05:08 (seventeen years ago) link

that's so cool LL! I'm sure if MWP had been there you would have said hello... I saw them in Austin last week, but they played an abbreviated set because it was part of a festival so I didn't get to hear Metropolis or Kings, cry cry cry. Still, they sounded great and I still heard a few deep cuts (An Interlude and Hotel Womb the latter I guess they play all the time but I really wanted to hear it)

the absence of bikes (f. hazel), Thursday, 2 November 2023 18:04 (five months ago) link

I was at the Tuesday night show. The band sounded great, particularly on "Tantalized", but yeah, some distinct Spinal Tap vibes with Nigel Tufnel on guitar and SK taking time on multiple occasions to explain the extremely convoluted plot of The Hypnagogue to the small crowded of mostly-seated attendees.

Andy Fox, Thursday, 2 November 2023 20:28 (five months ago) link

@ john -- wish i had known you were there! we were busy though and if you weren't in my section i probably didn't see you. agree about the heaviness -- one of the things i love most about this band! they are both transporting and grounding at the same time, pure magic. i think i caught an instrumental part of "Grind" and I was proud of myself for recognizing it without any vocals

@ f hazel -- yes, i absolutely would have debased myself to say hello to MWP. i was about to interrupt SK but it was a meet & greet thing and people had paid for their access and i didn't want to misuse my immense privilege of carrying their salads and pizzas back to the green room lol. i also did mention MWP to several of my tables to demonstrate that i am a trve head lol

@Andy - one of my tables told me they read the book and it was "better than they expected" but that he should stick to writing songs, which we all agreed he is very skilled at

Piggy Lepton (La Lechera), Thursday, 2 November 2023 20:53 (five months ago) link

v curious about this loaded dentist!!

Piggy Lepton (La Lechera), Thursday, 2 November 2023 20:54 (five months ago) link

three weeks pass...

I've certainly been skeptical of the loss of Koppes and MWP, but it is Steve's band after all.

Actually, the current lineup is playing very well - even or maybe especially on the older stuff. Seattle show had maybe the best performance of Grind that I recall seeing in person. And as much as I think Powles helped hold things together through some rough years, I think the change in drummer has paid off on this tour. (But I swear I've yet to hear Haug play MWP's part on Reptile w/o fucking up the riff at least once per performance...)

New tour-only EP is decent enough.

Have also heard the dentist rumor. Maybe on this board some time back.

Edward Bax, Sunday, 26 November 2023 07:47 (four months ago) link

Dartmouth business professor Kevin Keller (who has a very popular textbook) was "executive producer" for some recent Church albums, which is mentioned in his textbook bio. Guessing that means he partly financed them and advised on marketing.

theo, Sunday, 26 November 2023 19:58 (four months ago) link

first gay in Archie comics, ILX poster, business professor and Steve Kilbey investor

bae (sic), Sunday, 26 November 2023 20:27 (four months ago) link

Some lovely memories here, also confirms it was due to a stroke suffered two days ago in Prague.

https://www.facebook.com/luca.signorelli.33/posts/10230859418609528

Ned Raggett, Sunday, 26 November 2023 20:34 (four months ago) link

Whoops wrong thread! That sadly was for the Killing Joke thread.

Ned Raggett, Sunday, 26 November 2023 20:37 (four months ago) link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXBasxt6FYo

Elvis Telecom, Wednesday, 6 December 2023 22:32 (four months ago) link

(just posted today)

Elvis Telecom, Wednesday, 6 December 2023 22:32 (four months ago) link

Awesome

Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 6 December 2023 23:10 (four months ago) link

Really great!

SQUIRREL MEAT!! (Capitaine Jay Vee), Wednesday, 6 December 2023 23:48 (four months ago) link

was present for this radio session. really excellent. I nice follow-up to the show the night before. hoping audio surfaces of the pre-session warmup (video is very unlikely).

Edward Bax, Saturday, 9 December 2023 08:09 (four months ago) link

one month passes...

US tour dates on the way. Also Eros Zeta... is getting a full-release
https://www.thechurchband.com

Elvis Telecom, Tuesday, 6 February 2024 22:37 (two months ago) link

Well that's good, I'm still a bit sore they didn't have it with their merch at Hardly Strictly!

Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 6 February 2024 22:55 (two months ago) link

This last December my dad ran into Steve Kilbey at the local post office in our small regional little surf town. He's a massive fan, said g'day, and ended up scoring some free tickets for a solo acoustic gig that night.

Apparently Steve was a really lovely bloke to chat with and the gig was fantastic. My dad has been a fan his whole life; a very lucky encounter

H.P, Tuesday, 6 February 2024 23:03 (two months ago) link

That's great! Love stuff like that.

Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 7 February 2024 00:34 (two months ago) link

Looks like they are touring with the Afghan Whigs here?

Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 7 February 2024 13:55 (two months ago) link

Huge Church spree the last couple of weeks here. The post-stardom stuff has really opened up to me now.

realistic pillow (Jon not Jon), Friday, 9 February 2024 03:49 (two months ago) link

I remember feeling let down in the "Box of Birds" era but I love how the new stuff sounds, and that KEXP recording up thread is fantastic. Sorry I missed the tour.

fajita seas, Friday, 9 February 2024 21:13 (two months ago) link

Man, you didn't like that era? I saw the tour for that very album and it pretty well killed.

Ned Raggett, Friday, 9 February 2024 21:15 (two months ago) link

they may not have hit the highest of highs but can't think of another band so consistently great from their debut 20+ albums into it

live they remain a FORCE

reggie (qualmsley), Friday, 9 February 2024 21:32 (two months ago) link

yeah I'm mad their set last year in Austin was abbreviated so I'm definitely seeing them on this tour

the absence of bikes (f. hazel), Friday, 9 February 2024 23:34 (two months ago) link

one month passes...

new one is my fav since untitled 23. great title too

ciderpress, Friday, 29 March 2024 18:10 (two weeks ago) link


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