FURTHER / DEEPER

OK: I'll admit I only rediscovered The Church recently after a long break. Truth be told, I thought they'd gone by the wayside ages ago since I no longer heard any of their music played in the States. Turns out they've been churning out music right along since those 'heyday' years. Fast-forward to their 25th album, Further Deeper. I had no idea what to expect when I took the leap of purchasing a download off the website (downloads are cheaper + faster than CDs, or more, vinyl). What I got was quite a wide variation in likability. Some songs are hard to even recognize as The Church (e.g. Pride Before a Fall - huge disappointment esp for a first release - and Laurel Canyon & Old Coast Road - sound like they'd appeal more to geriatric folks). There are some standout songs mixed in that surprised me (e.g. Delirious, Love Philtre and Lightning White - all of which sound like The Church). But the last song, Miami (apparently Kilbey's favorite), for all its length and repetition just doesn't go anywhere. And maybe that sums it up best. It had been five years since their last album, they still perform but at fairly small local venues (for ~$AUD 60 or more a ticket), and they want to mainly play their new songs. Marty Wilson Piper may have been wise to leave when he did. Likely a case of too little too late, seems The Church aren't going anywhere any more.