The Church : After Everything Now This

Thirsty Ear

While bands like Radiohead and Sigur Ros have flourished with their brand of experimental rock, the Church has remained relatively anonymous in the ranks of popular music despite a library of stellar original recordings. While the band is every bit prolific as Pink Floyd, a band they have been compared to, they have never sold out stadiums with flying inflatable pigs, and "circle of doom" video screens. Perhaps a song on the "Vanilla Sky" or "Wonder Boys" soundtrack would have garnered THEM an Academy Award nomination. After so many years of quality, progress, and song-craft growth, what does a band have to do to be recognized as the pioneers they are?

The "Austrailian" band's four members actually reside in different countries (the album was recorded on three continents). The twin lead guitar assault of Peter Koppes (typically a Strat) and Marty Wilson-Piper (typically a Ric) is still intact, and Steve Kilbey's poetic sing-speak and bass styling are better than ever. Tim Powles has provided valuable production and drumming to the Church fold for several projects now and has been shored as the last drummer the band will ever need. Primarily recognized as a consummate guitar band, the album is void of any rock clichés.

"After Everything Now This" is the first album since 1999's excellent covers album "Box of Birds," and continues an excellent musical maturation that evolved in the 90's. The album best resembles the haunting tones of 1992's mystic "Priest=Aura" (considered by hardcore fans to be the band's masterpiece) and 1996's lyrical "Magician Among The Spirits."

There are several spiritual references, but the over-riding theme of the album seems to focus on the supernatural side of death. Not the black celebration goth-novelty of 14-20 year olds, but from the subtly tapped experience of observation. The album is full of beautifully disconnected ghosts from the voyeuristic "The Awful Ache" to the chilling "Night Friends." "Radiance" is the most engaging track depicting a holy vision by children and their inability to describe it. The title track "After Everything" a beautiful poetic epic is accented by beautiful and unconventional backing vocals.

This music is beautiful, complex and requires several listens to unlock hidden melodies barely audible on the first listen. Make no mistake; you have not heard this brand of music before. The Church tradition of consistently producing more interesting work with each album continues.

After several spins of this disk, the early hit "The Unguarded Moment" should be forgotten and "Under the Milky Way," from 1988's breakthrough million selling "Starfish," will no longer be the only common association with this truly groundbreaking band.

While "After Everything Now This" is the most subtle and quiet album of the Church's long career, every track is appealing. It is easily their most compelling work yet.

-Tom

tom@bluetintmagazine.com

PS: While Grammy has been so generous over the last few years bestowing recognition on non-mainstream acts for album of the year (Steely Dan, O Brother Where Art Thou), any chance these guys can get the attention they deserve? What if Bono duets? Eminem?

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