OF SKINS AND HEART [AKA: THE CHURCH]

This debut album from "The Church" is quite New Wave oriented and far to dislike my taste. Actually, at the time of release I was quite in this musical movement and such an album was just quite exciting and above all: funny and attractive (Chrome Injury).

The music being proposed here can be compared to the very debut of "XTC" for instance. Fine vocal parts, intelligent rhythmic and so much fantasy! I quite like that mix (in those remote days, as well as nowadays).

Another reference could be the great "Fisher-Z". Same catchy and poppy approach, same funny sound, same funny beats. Unless you have a very, very progressive approach to progressive rock, this album doesn't hold any song which has anything to do with our beloved genre. But the whole is just so pleasant!

Another reference which comes up to my mind are the incredible Dutch band "Gruppo Sportivo". Same humoristic sense, same craziness, same good old feel. This is a great album to listen to if ever you would like to discover how some great band from the early eighties were sounding like.

It was only a pity that "Church" was truly anonymous. And to find them on PA was quite a surprise! But a good one. There are no weak moments in here; but of course you shouldn't look for any prog moment either: this is a pure and straight forward new wave album. And believe me: I have listened to quite a few of those ones.

The early "Ultravox!" fans (as I am) will definitely be passionate with a track as " Is This Where You Live": upbeat, melodic, sweet. In one word: gorgeous. One of the highlights for sure.

I understand that it is quite difficult to understand this album from a prog point of view but the music played is rich, creative as the one of the early "Roxy" or "Be Bop Deluxe" or "Split Enz". Amazing really. If ever you like this mood, I can only recommend you the debut of the bizarre and super "Devo. Are we not Men?".

To some extent, the great "Doctor Of Madness" are to be remembered as well during the moving "Don't Open?".

In all, this is a very good album but it holds no prog elements. Four stars.