Deep In The Shallows
by The Church
REVIEWS and COMMENTS
One might argue there's no substitute for hearing these songs in the context of the Church's albums, since the band usually has a unified aesthetic in mind when it hits the studio. But having the quartet's most melodic moments collected in one place makes for a damn near irresistible listening experience, even for the diehard. Besides, the band's records can be a challenge for the casual listener, which makes Deep in the Shallows a perfect way to introduce those fans to the wider world of the Church.
American listeners can be forgiven for wondering how this Australian band with just a single Top 40 hit to their credit rates a double disc singles retrospective 22 years after that lone chart entry. But, aficionados of guitar-based power pop will have any lingering doubts erased with a single listen to this attractive package.
The aforementioned chart success of "Under the Milky Way" (which peaked at #24 in 1988) takes the central position in this chronological collection. Curiously, it's NOT an unrepresentative song from the band, begging the question of why further commercial success did not follow. It's not an easy question to answer. In a sense, the song had a bit of a "gimmick." Is that a guitar playing a bagpipe solo, or bagpipes playing the guitar solo? But, fundamentally, it's a catchy and understated pop song, building from an acoustic strum to a spacey climax fading to black.
Yet, even in their home country, where a dozen songs broke the Top 100, just one broke into the Top 20. Record company and producer conflicts surely had an effect, to say nothing of simmering differences within the band and changing fashions in the world of pop and rock. In any event, this 34-song collection demonstrates the strength and worth of the singles that followed and preceded that high water mark. (To be fair, the Starfish album containing "Under the Milky Way" did eventually sell a million copies—mostly cassettes and vinyl, I imagine—in the US.)
Fronting the band is bass playing main songwriter and singer Steve Kilbey. Those unfamiliar with his smoky tenor should imagine a more melodic Peter Perrett, a less histrionic Robert Smith, a calmer Nick Cave, or perhaps an antipodean John Cale. Merely stating that his singing and impressionistic lyrics rate comparison with these iconic vocalists might say all that needs saying.
Guitarists Peter Koppes and Marty Willson-Piper, freed of the "front man" responsibility (though each write and sing material in and outside the band), build guitarscapes of considerable majesty. But, instead of grabbing at the spotlight in a Skynyrdian frenzy, they arrange interlocking and complementary parts from twanging, ringing, arpeggiated electric and acoustic sounds, distorted and sustained as necessary, building a vibrant tapestry that supports the needs of the Song.
Through solo projects, outside collaborations, periodic estrangements and a few different drummers, the core of The Church has endured, and maintained artistic legitimacy from 1981 to the present. A decade into the new millennium, it's less surprising that recent tracks haven't achieved massive success in what's left of the "music industry," but the newest songs here (from 2006-2009) still sound as vital as those of many contemporary alt/indie bands.
Other outstanding tracks here include "The Unguarded Moment" (1981), "Almost With You" (1982), "Disenchanted" (1985), and "Metropolis" (1990). This 2 1/2 hour journey is the definitive retrospective/introduction to the "clear-light jangle and art-pop ideals" of the Church. It is highly recommended!
Great compilation. Been a fan since '93 when my chemistry teacher, who played CDs during lab, played Priest=Aura. Congrats on the Aussie rock hall.
Lee from USA
This is a great compilation, of course, and if any Church fan ever wondered what would be a good album to introduce the band to friends or family now we have the answer.
damn, listening to this makes you appreciate all over again what an enduring and magnificent band the church are...
A complete 'best of'. Maybe one of the best. I like the first CD most. An excellent buy.