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Source: Bucketfull of Brains Magazine (London, Eng.)
Issue: No.32 Date: Feb/Mar, 1988
Subject: Review - Unearthed, Earthed, When Reason Forbids, In Reflection
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(issue with small article on Steve and flexi-disc of Starling Street)

SOLO CHURCH

Steve Kilbey - Unearthed (Enigma)
Steve Kilbey - Earthed (Red Eye, Australia)
Peter Koppes - When Reason Forbids, A Requiem Session (Australia)
Marty Willson-Piper - In Reflection (Chase, Australia)

By Brad Bradberry

So, they haven't broken up. At least not yet. The Church, probably the best psychedelic band in the world, have simply gotten to the point where there's just too many good songs from too many good songwriters in the band to record as a "band project." The Church started out with "Of Skins and Hearts" in 1981 and have released roughly an album a year (plus the hard-to-find The Church Sing Songs EP in 1983) since then. The songwriting has evolved from being exclusively Steve Kilbey's domain to the point where a majority of the music is credited to "The Church" (with Kilbey handling the lyrics). The band is currently in and out of the studio in southern California recording their latest album (currently untitled, for their third US label, Arista) which should arrive sometime early February. But for now there's some great solo stuff to trip on.

Bassist, singer- songwriter Steve Kilbey seems to have gotten pretty good on both keyboard and guitar, not to mention programming. He utilizes all these talents on his first full- length solo outing, "Unearthed". These 14 tracks range from Church- like psych- pop ("Out of the World," "Guilty") to stripped-down Eno-esque instrumentals ("Rising Son," "Famine," "Swampdrone") to personal, reflective ballads ("Nothing Inside"). Recorded mostly on an eight- track recorder in his bedroom in Australia, then mixed in a pro-studio, this album is quite a departure from the glossy, orchestrated "Heyday" album the band released in 1985. Still, of all the Church solo offerings thus far it sounds the most complete.

Kilbey's "Earthed" LP is a soundtrack to a book of poetry Kilbey released recently. All instrumental, this 46 minute, 20 track album goes even further in showing off Kilbey's subtle keyboard work. Kilbey once said he'd rewritten and recorded Eno's "Another Green World" 9,000 different ways" in his pre-Church days. He also stated that these experiments were "uncommercial and esoteric." This album is probably an extension of that period, but adds lots of textured acoustic / electric guitar work and goes down easy, never sounding especially elitist or pretentious. Few tracks are over three minutes (many are much shorter), but they flow into each other, making this a perfect backdrop for reading (as intended).

One of my favorite Church songs of late is "As You Will" by guitarist Peter Koppes. I never could figure why it never made the "Heyday" album proper (it appeared only on the cassette and "Tantalized" 12"). Koppes has just released what amounts to a "maxi-single." The title-track, "When Reason Forbids," is a wonderful keyboard-based tribute to recently departed, longtime Church pas Greg Hickman (the band considered him the "fifth member"). This moody ballad perfectly captures the melancholia close friends feel when separated by death. Koppes manages to put in just enough sweet melody to keep the listener from slitting his wrists. Tastefully programmed drum machines keep the beat on all three tracks. Side two consists of two instrumentals. The first is a light mid-tempo piece ("At the Castle"), the second, "Air," reminds me of Matthew Fisher's Hammond organ work with early Procol Harum.

Probably the biggest surprise of the solo offerings is guitarist Marty Willson-Piper's "In Reflection" album. Willson-Piper has usually written one or two songs on Church LPs (sometimes co-written with Kilbey), but who figured he had this in him? This 13-track, 52 minute collection of 4-track recordings is magnificent! Piper's vocal delivery is much like Kilbey's--mellow, oft half-spoken, ethereal. His writing has a warmer, "pop" feel. "Night is Over" is the catchiest thing here with a killer-hook and harmonies/background vocals that sound like Willson-Piper had tons more than four tracks to play with! The original version of "Volumes" (from the band's "Remote Luxury LP) is here in all its rough, demoed glory. Heavy post Pink Floydian psych is present ("Velvet Fuselage," "Winter Splinter Bay"). Willson-Piper also includes a beautifully designed home tapers guidebook in which he discusses his recording techniques track by track. At one point last year Willson-Piper quit the Church. They were on tour and out of "creative frustration" (he usually sings just one song at any give Church concert) felt he had to leave. This only lasted a week and perhaps was the impetus for this fine solo outing. Willson-Piper has another record already recorded and ready to go to press soon. Don't even wait for the reviews on this one...grab it immediately.

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