I've lifted these from the Seance mailing list, which is the best place for Church fans to meet and chat.
-later, Dick
ICE CUBES
Steve Kilbey and Marty Willson-Piper of the Church welcome back Peter Koppes to the fold with the June 18 release of Magician Among The Spirits on White/Deep Karma. Some of the album's 10 tracks are joined by instrumental interludes. "They had major-label offers for the album," Feedback Music Distribution's Chris Kouzes tells ICE, "but they really wanted to do it on their own." According to Kouzes, the album will ring true with devoted Church goers. "The last Church album was real atmospheric and moody; the tracks on the new album get back to their song-structured formula, like the music around the time of [1990's] Gold Afternoon Fix album." The newly reunited Australian outfit is expected to tour the U.S. for the first time in five years, beginning this summer.
From: Tallynsj I got lucky and found a single copy of MATS at a Best Buy in Oklahoma City. I guess no one else in this state gets one. I agree with the observation that this one really grows on you after a few listens. It is very moody and the sound is very lush and layered, but gee, should I be surprised by that?
From: Tom.Ragatz
Subject: more MATS info
MATS should be generally available in the U.S. I got mine at Best Buy (one
of those electronic superstores) for $12.99. A sticker on it says made
in Australia, and the label is Deep Karma/White, but given the price
this probably isn't being distributed as an import.
Early verdict: good. Better than 99% of the crap out there, but no
Blurred Crusade, Heyday, Starfish or P=A (nor as good as Snow job, IMHO).
It's diverse:
1 epic (MATS-14 min.)
1 almost epic (It Could Be Anyone-8 min.)
1 cover (Ritz)
3 instrumentals (Grandiose, Romany Caravan, Afterimage)
1 song sung by MWP (The Further Adventures of the Time Being; he also
sings on Ritz and MATS).
This leaves The Welcome (outstanding opening track), Comedown (only track
with radio potential, also great) and Ladyboy (as many have said, blah).
Let's hope for a Comedown ep with lots of b-sides.
From: erskine i just can't help this...... looks like we have another Spinal Tap association to make with our fearless heros... in the beginning lyric of 'further adventures of the time being', marty sings, 'they built the pyramyds, toiled with tons of stone. irrigated deserts, made giant golden thrones.' sounds suspiciously like the further adventures of spinal taps', 'stonehenge'. see for yourself.... sp- 'the druids. no one knows who they were..... or.. what they were doing there.' well, decide for yourself........
From: Kip McClanahan I'm in Austin, TX and was happy to hear that Waterloo records had 150 copies. They also put it out up front with a big hand-made sign that says: "NEW CHURCH!!!" about the album: has anyone noticed that the lyrical content is somewhat lacking? I mean, there are moments of SK brilliance, but really much less than I had hoped.
From: bturner01
To: seance@eterna.com.au
Subject: My Take On MAS
Message-Id: <199606220219.WAA07570@mail-e2b-service.gnn.com>
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I must say that I was suprised to see MAS as an Aussie import in
America before it has even been released in Australia.
***IMHO*****
This disc takes repeated listens to be appreciated. I am a bit
disappointed with the overall disc though. It seems that after the
first three tracks (Welcome,Comedown,Ritz) MAS falls short of the
mark. Two of the three instrumentals could have used a few vocal
tracks. To me this album lacks FEELING, but it is a good album just
not that memorable of one.
Welcome - Excellent, worth the price of admission
Comedown - very radio friendly
Ritz - Hauntingly Beautifull
Grandoise - Where's the Vocals? Good instrumental
Ladyboy - somewhat catchy chorus, but misses still.
It Could Be Anyone - My least favourite track. Should have been
replaced with a proposed B-side track.
The Further Adv. Of The Time Being - The album picks back up here.
Very interesting song. In the
same tradition as "Dome" &
"Aura".
Romany Caravan - Did not think much of this one.
Magician Among The Spirits - Drone's on,but a cool song to listen
to in a darkened room.
Afterimage - Good instrumental
From: Eve Oh, wow. I really disagree here (no offense to you, Brian). As I said, the CD evokes something in the 'primal' region. As in...you don't so much 'listen' to it, as FEEL it. Try sleeping to it; turn off the lyrics for a bit; and then sit back, closing your eyes. This CD REALLY flows...the 'feel' of it flowing from one song to another, in washes of 'primal' sound. I really didn't notice a few of the songs are instrumental. The strength here is drums, emotions, and sound washes.
From: s931656 MATS is awesome...Well worth the wait!!!
From: mp2
To: seance@eterna.com.au
Subject: my chump change on MATS
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Hi there churchgoers,
I thought I'd sit here and defend MATS for a little bit. Granted,
my opinion is biased, but I really like the disc alot. I agree with the
'primal' description to a degree. I also agree that it is something you
have to be 'in the mood for'. If you're not in the right frame o'mind, you
probably won't be able to get into it. Fortunately, I was in the right mind
to listen to it.
I also like the way Steve & Marty trade vocals. A couple of times I
found myself who was singing and wasn't it steve earlier in the song? My
only complaint is that there is only 10 tracks, I WANT MORE!!!
Welcome -just a cool tune.
Comedown -Commercial? Yeah I guess so. But then, like the man says: That's
the blues man.
Ritz -I've never heard this live, so hearing this now I was just in awe.
Grandiose -I think this instrumental kicks butt. I kind of harkens me back
to the days of listening to Joe Satriani, I think. Only better.
Ladyboy -I think this has some really underrated guitar & bass action.
It Could Be Anyone -One of my favorites, actually. i don't know why, it
just is. For some reason it just struck me on the first listen.
The Further Adventures.... -Wonderful! Wonderful! Play very loud in the
car, it's very cool that way.
Romany Caravan -reminds me of ...*something* I can't quite figure it out.
Maybe if Loveblind were an instrumental that smashed into Happy Haunting
Ground on the way to visit Aura.
MATS -*EPIC*. I love epic songs. Very moody, though. I can see how if you
aren't in the mood(y) it can get a little trying.
Afterimage -Excellent instrumental. Perfect title and perfect placement, it
does fit right in with the cover afterimage shot.
Okay that's a whole lotta two cents.
From: "Karen K. Grandage" [snip] Without even listening to it, I must say that what has been the most exciting thing about all of this -- is the new knowledge I have gained, thanks to this list, about all that goes into a group making and producing music (down to picking out the cover art). We saw this baby's conception, growth and now its birth - and I feel like any proud parent who wants to nurture it to success. My thanks to all of you for how your knowledge and words have enriched the entire Church experience for me. Karen
That's it for now - there doesn't seem to be much problem with availability at the moment. If you can't it now it should be in a store near you next week. Enjoy !
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