The Church
Untitled #23

Service note for those who know what it's about. The latest album by the Church has been released. They're still around. How can I explain who the Church are? Shall we say one of the few bands that saved the music of the 80s? Australians, by the way. Their story is too long, too complex to be reduced to 20 lines. It would deserve a nice in-depth overview, which are scarce when it comes to this group. It's worth mentioning that they are probably the greatest interpreters of psychedelic music since Pink Floyd. Is that enough for you to listen to them? Let's get to the latest album, which is better.

I'll say right away that I like it, not as much as some of their other albums, but I like it. The Church have a distinct characteristic. In each of their albums, even the lesser ones (they've had some hit-or-miss moments), there are always at least two or three tracks that alone are worth the price of the album. And I mean always. This "Untitled #23" is no exception, and actually, the good tracks are numerous, and I highlight: 1) "Pangaea". By the way, their titles are always very psychedelic. The Church are serious people and would never want some fool to buy their music thinking it's religious. All jokes aside, "Pangaea" is really beautiful and exudes freshness even if it's slow in its progression. It is worthy of their best works. 2) "Space Saviour". Beautiful, even though it's more classic compared to Church standards. 3) "Cobalt Blue". The opening track of the album fits right into their usual way of doing psychedelia. 4) "Anchorage". One of the few "rock" tracks on the album. Still, it's a beautiful ballad, albeit interrupted by Martin Wilson-Piper's guitar insertions (one of the greatest living guitarists). Beautiful, and you'll like it. 5) "Sunken Sun". Gorgeous on the second listen. 6) "Operetta". Which closes the album. Another dreamy ballad as only Kilbey and Piper know how to do.

Overall, the album is still very intimate and offers little to the festive/psychedelic airs of some glorious albums from the 80s. An album different from the previous "Uninvited Like the Clouds" where instead the concessions were more numerous, starting with the 45 rpm "Easy". Still, there is a great sense of homogeneity and acquired maturity from Kilbey and his associates (as it should be). This has a reassuring effect on us fans of the band regarding the band's state of health. So, they still have something to say in the music world. Without fireworks, perhaps. But by now, whoever is inside is inside, and for those outside, the door is always open. For those with ears tuned to their music, the whole album should be appreciated more and more with each listen. After all, we can only listen to the Church's atmospheres from them. There are no imitations or alternatives around.

Alex