One of the only good memories I have with my stepfather from my childhood, was listening to The Church with him. The only common ground. They are absolutely amazing, and are such a tribute to the Australia Music Industry.
I just love this band and this track in particular. The Church is another extremely underrated and underappreciated band, whose musical talent in the leader, Steve Kilbey unfortunately, continues to go unnoticed to this day and it's been 30 yrs since they've appeared on the scene. They are more than just "under the milky way".
@beepollen1 Thank you for saying so. I think that Steve writes such another level at times. He kind of speaks in riddles. I have always shared his yearning for the truth. I think that's the glue that binds us Church fans all together. We just want to see and feel and experience what is beyond the superficial in all things. That is why we are such a lonely bunch sometimes. Something deep within ourselves always feels alone with ourselves, because our type is just so rare.
@beepollen1 Well, BP, you'd probably have to ask Steve for his take, but to me, anyway, it reads as an allegory about the pitfalls involved in finding oneself. He and his fellow seekers, the "puzzled travelers," first searched for themselves upon the earth--i.e. "the ground," for "wealth" where wealth denotes the futile promise of "finding oneself" in its "dreaming valleys."
Valleys typically symbolize depths, or places of struggle, since the way out can be difficult and precarious, and the fact that they are "dreaming," indicates that it is a metaphor for the world of man and all his dreams, upon which the meaningless, materialistic existence of man cause him to dig deeper into it. I think that the "Blue" and the "Green" that symbolize the opal gem could be a metaphor for the earth, (i.e. the "green earth and the blue ocean,)
@Apocryphile1970 But the "true" self, the inner man, is not to be found in these valleys of dreams, where all of our digging up, all of our external searching cannot but feed our greed or else barely sustain us, since it yields up "nearly nothing," turning us into "carrion birds," or those which feed off of the dead, and that is no way to find one's true nature. These men grow to suspect one another, clenching their hands in their stinginess till they are numb.
@Apocryphile1970 But something happens to Steve having to do with "sleepwalking lightning showers," which is a little cryptic, but could well be some kind of conversion experience on his part, since after that he speaks of his blindness in the past tense, and the others are still blinded, not having been able to find themselves "that way," (i.e. in searching in the "ground," and in the "dreaming valleys," and in the "shaft" where his mind was blind....)
the poetic prowess of Kilbey... the musical soundscape of Wilson-Piper and Koppes... brilliance... and here it is... Kilbey... kicking bass parts to boot... these guys were miles beyond anything around them... and in many ways have only become better with age.
@beepollen1 I'm sorry, how many of my videos have you seen? I don't think I've ever been mistaken for a woman before. I sure would be an ugly one! You're totally cracking me up. I figured as much about you, though. No need to explain. Just enjoy the music, and appreciate the genius! Really, really, really great stuff here! Can't take the least bit of credit. Sometime things are just too awesome for people to really appreciate, and I'm glad you do!
@beepollen1 I cannot be offended. I am accepting of everything and everyone. It's just part of the way I see things, and part of who I am, and I'm glad that you enjoy them! I believe that everything is perfectly arranged, and if I ever let things bother me, then the fault is mine, but I truly appreciate your comments and your point of view. I love SK as well, and if I were a woman, that might just be how I would feel LOL!
Meh, I disagree, this is not so much dated, its jut that all the bands we see as modern are usually super rich, and prance around in their "Bling" doing songs that are mostly computer generated effects. All flashy, and such. I think this is just really down to earth. The kind ob band with real people instead of celebrities.
(And when I say "bling", I'm not just talking about how popular rap is, I'm talking about ALL genres.)
when I wrote "dated" I was refering mainly to the production. it totally has an "80s" drum sound, with an akmost electronic sounding snare- and some of the synth sounds, as well. just has the sonic qualities of something made in the 80s.. uh, 'cause it was.
Agreed. But I doubt that will ever happen as the Church are too unknown in the USA and haven't sold enough records for them to even consider them. Not that it's really important anyways, F' the RnR hall of fame.
I have only seen this video once before. It was at 1st Avenue in Minneapolis, MN in 1985 or so. I didn't get to see if very well at the time because I got right to dancing. I'm glad to see it now.
The Church was a favorite of mine to see live, but, for me, they lost a lot of their lustre after Starfish. They just got too mid-tempo and ethereal.
It was my understanding that the other LP released in the US with Remote Luxury was called Seance. I never heard of Persia. Oh, well, both are great.
Yeah, they're great. I still like the stuff they put out today, though. They did take a psychedelic turn after Starfish that I know some people didn't like. I happen to like psychedelic, etherial music though, and there are only a few songs that I usually pass up, though sometimes I find myself listening to them anyway, just depends on the mood I'm in.
Like Kohntarkos said below, Remote Luxury and Persia started out as two 5-track EPs, but were later consolidated into a 10-track album called Remote Luxury, so if you've got that, you're not really missing anything. The two EPs did sound enough alike that you probably would think they were written at about the same time. I think that explains the lyric, "Tinges of Persia, I hope that it sells...."
Ah, I see. So, Seance must have been it's own album. I knew there was a combo thing involving Remote Luxury, I just had it wrong.
I gotta say I haven't heard much after Starfish. The next two albums was all. Despite a couple good songs, I wasn't thrilled with their stuff. I absolutely hated 'You're Still Beautiful'.
And their live shows really lacked the energy that their earlier shows had. It all seemed to go south after Starfish.
Any suggestions on their newer stuff I should check out?
If you're looking for the sharp, edgy, and tight Church of Heyday and Starfish, you might want to look into Sometime Anywhere or A Box of Birds. Definitely stay away from Hologram of Baal and Magician Among the Spirits--both of which have edgy songs on them, but are overwhelmed by the dark and brooding spirit that can sometimes be too much for the cheerful soul. The Church is a band for the kind of person who can just be passive and let the music take them wherever it will.
Though Apocryphile has some great points, I actually have to disagree about Hologram of Ball based on what you've said I think you'd really enjoy that record! There's some great rockers like Ricochet and No Certainty Attached, some great pop songs like Buffalo, Glow Worm and the absolutely GORGEOUS Louisiana as well the majestic beauty of Tranquility. Yes there are some slow moments on the record but overall I find the flow of it to be a great balance.
Though Apocryphile has some great points, I actually have to disagree about Hologram of Ball based on what you've said I think you'd really enjoy that record! There's some great rockers like Ricochet and No Certainty Attached, some great pop songs like Buffalo, Glow Worm and the absolutely GORGEOUS Louisiana as well the majestic beauty of Tranquility. Yes there are some slow moments on the record but overall I find the flow of it to be a great balance.
Hard to recommend with The Church. I like The Church because they are always exploring music...literally following thier own inner muses. They speak of things like corruption (Blood Money) and pollution (Tristesse) and mankind's futile efforts at Self-Realization (Constant in Opal) They delve into false experience and self-destructive Psychological States (Lost), as well as drug experiences and problems (Anaestesia, Terra Nova Cain, Laughing, Paradox, etc.)
It was only a few years ago that I found out that the album that was known in the US as Remote Luxury was actually compiled from music that had been released on two EP's in other parts of the world. One was Remote Luxury and the other was Persia.
The funny thing is though the Stateside LP was called Remote Luxury, the album cover seems to be drawn from the same photo session (with the same font for the band name and title) as Persia!
The song is sensational but I have always thought that this video looks like an outtake from "Sweet and Sour" (abc Australia tv show starring Tracy Mann from memory)
Kilbey looks so pretty in makeup....
2degucitas 1 month ago
It's too bad they probably won't make The Hall, but they are still one of the greatest bands of all time.
wowbobwow37 2 months ago
Amazing band!
barnaby36 3 months ago
One of the only good memories I have with my stepfather from my childhood, was listening to The Church with him. The only common ground. They are absolutely amazing, and are such a tribute to the Australia Music Industry.
s00702 3 months ago
Love this song and the Aussie boys.
Etalimissa 6 months ago
I just love this band and this track in particular. The Church is another extremely underrated and underappreciated band, whose musical talent in the leader, Steve Kilbey unfortunately, continues to go unnoticed to this day and it's been 30 yrs since they've appeared on the scene. They are more than just "under the milky way".
adnil1258 6 months ago 2
The bassline is totally killer.
RallyCat909 9 months ago
Dreamy...
melati309 11 months ago
love the guitars on this, haven't heard it in a long time...
KOSMICKEN09 1 year ago
@beepollen1 Yeah, she looks nothing like him, lol!
Apocryphile1970 1 year ago
@beepollen1 Does he have a sister?
Apocryphile1970 1 year ago
@beepollen1 You're so funny. Did he ever answer you?
Apocryphile1970 1 year ago
@beepollen1 Oh, just there at the end, like 3 minutes 15 seconds as he's looking down, you kind of see the face as the same as at 2-3 second in.
Apocryphile1970 1 year ago
@beepollen1 Compare :03 with 3:15.
Apocryphile1970 1 year ago
@beepollen1 Why don't you email him & ask him yerself. xD
Inquiring minds want to know!
Apocryphile1970 1 year ago
@beepollen1 How many times have you watched this?
Apocryphile1970 1 year ago
@beepollen1 On the album cover, silly! It's his feminine side I guess!
Apocryphile1970 1 year ago
@beepollen1 You too, Bee! Steve looks so nice in that dress, huh? LOL!
Apocryphile1970 1 year ago
brilliant thanks for the upload - funny all these old songs I am only just getting to see the videos haha
tatunkha 1 year ago
poetic and musical perfection
MICHAELINCOLUMBUS 1 year ago
@beepollen1 "One who loves that which is hidden or obscure."
Apocryphile1970 1 year ago
@beepollen1 Thank you for saying so. I think that Steve writes such another level at times. He kind of speaks in riddles. I have always shared his yearning for the truth. I think that's the glue that binds us Church fans all together. We just want to see and feel and experience what is beyond the superficial in all things. That is why we are such a lonely bunch sometimes. Something deep within ourselves always feels alone with ourselves, because our type is just so rare.
Apocryphile1970 1 year ago
soooo good !
euxeb 1 year ago
@beepollen1 Well, BP, you'd probably have to ask Steve for his take, but to me, anyway, it reads as an allegory about the pitfalls involved in finding oneself. He and his fellow seekers, the "puzzled travelers," first searched for themselves upon the earth--i.e. "the ground," for "wealth" where wealth denotes the futile promise of "finding oneself" in its "dreaming valleys."
Apocryphile1970 1 year ago
Valleys typically symbolize depths, or places of struggle, since the way out can be difficult and precarious, and the fact that they are "dreaming," indicates that it is a metaphor for the world of man and all his dreams, upon which the meaningless, materialistic existence of man cause him to dig deeper into it. I think that the "Blue" and the "Green" that symbolize the opal gem could be a metaphor for the earth, (i.e. the "green earth and the blue ocean,)
Apocryphile1970 1 year ago
@Apocryphile1970 But the "true" self, the inner man, is not to be found in these valleys of dreams, where all of our digging up, all of our external searching cannot but feed our greed or else barely sustain us, since it yields up "nearly nothing," turning us into "carrion birds," or those which feed off of the dead, and that is no way to find one's true nature. These men grow to suspect one another, clenching their hands in their stinginess till they are numb.
Apocryphile1970 1 year ago
@Apocryphile1970 But something happens to Steve having to do with "sleepwalking lightning showers," which is a little cryptic, but could well be some kind of conversion experience on his part, since after that he speaks of his blindness in the past tense, and the others are still blinded, not having been able to find themselves "that way," (i.e. in searching in the "ground," and in the "dreaming valleys," and in the "shaft" where his mind was blind....)
Apocryphile1970 1 year ago
@Apocryphile1970 Anyone care to add or voice an opinion?
Apocryphile1970 1 year ago
@beepollen1 It is a great song, with a great message!
Apocryphile1970 1 year ago
@beepollen1 It's Peter, silly! But hey, I take it as a compliment :)
Apocryphile1970 1 year ago
That was cool! ^-^
sandydisappointment 1 year ago
the poetic prowess of Kilbey... the musical soundscape of Wilson-Piper and Koppes... brilliance... and here it is... Kilbey... kicking bass parts to boot... these guys were miles beyond anything around them... and in many ways have only become better with age.
raincoatmusic 1 year ago
this album is fantastic!
far better than the bad 'greatest hits' album
simionTheOne 1 year ago
such a great song!
MICHAELINCOLUMBUS 1 year ago
Wish my record player still worked! I miss listening to Persia, Seance & Remote Luxury on vinyl......I always loved this song . Very poetic.
MsRedbelly 1 year ago
@beepollen1 I'm glad to hear it! I was only messing with you a little. I got a good laugh out of it. You made my day!
Apocryphile1970 1 year ago
@beepollen1 I'm sorry, how many of my videos have you seen? I don't think I've ever been mistaken for a woman before. I sure would be an ugly one! You're totally cracking me up. I figured as much about you, though. No need to explain. Just enjoy the music, and appreciate the genius! Really, really, really great stuff here! Can't take the least bit of credit. Sometime things are just too awesome for people to really appreciate, and I'm glad you do!
Apocryphile1970 1 year ago
@beepollen1 I cannot be offended. I am accepting of everything and everyone. It's just part of the way I see things, and part of who I am, and I'm glad that you enjoy them! I believe that everything is perfectly arranged, and if I ever let things bother me, then the fault is mine, but I truly appreciate your comments and your point of view. I love SK as well, and if I were a woman, that might just be how I would feel LOL!
Apocryphile1970 1 year ago
@beepollen1 Perhaps you should post that to HIS site LOL!
Apocryphile1970 1 year ago
@beepollen1 I actually have both EPs on vinyl! CD quality is better, but man, to have the vinyl! Love Steve in a bridal gown--it's just hilarious!
Apocryphile1970 1 year ago
Remote Luxury was a wonderful album(s)! I really love the instrumental, Hard to pick a favorite!
Apocryphile1970 1 year ago
Been listening to these guys for 20 years. First time I ever saw a music video for them. This was always one of my favorite songs.
losghost 2 years ago
this song and "Columbus"are very underrated Church songs. Excellent how Kilbey's basslines drive these tunes
dukeofsnatch 2 years ago 2
Last song on the Austin show...we rushed the stage...it was great
truebootsyes 2 years ago
sorry "shadows" Love Steves lyrics!
Nigelxman 2 years ago 2
Me and the puzzled travelers
We searched the ground for wealth
and scoured the dreaming valleys
on days where shodows melt
Nigelxman 2 years ago 2
off the fanastic album Persia! thanks for the upload!
cousiwa09 2 years ago
JEN REALLY THINGS THAT I WILL SHOW UP
SIEBERBORG 2 years ago
thankyou for this i havent seen this vid in a very long time
pennypants9 2 years ago 2
This is the song/video that turned me on to this band. Wow to my amazement I got to work with them in concert booking later on. Great bunch!
ChrisBeachBoy 3 years ago 5
You´ve got to love the 80´s. Great song by a great band. The vid is kind of cheesy in a funny way.
9Kzaar11 3 years ago
hey. find some video footage for the song, buffalo. i'm practically living it out here in upstate, n.y. bravin' the fucking cold again!
jamescause 3 years ago
wow, I never knew they made a video for this song. This is one of my favourites!!!!! :D :D
Thank's for posting!
Georgie17xx 3 years ago
Wow, I'd never heard of this one before (and I'm a pretty big fan of The Church).
Great stuff - thanks for posting it!
themaxxfan 3 years ago
as much as I like this song and the church in general, the production (and, uh, haircuts) in this seem so dated now!
TechnicalEvaluation 3 years ago
Meh, I disagree, this is not so much dated, its jut that all the bands we see as modern are usually super rich, and prance around in their "Bling" doing songs that are mostly computer generated effects. All flashy, and such. I think this is just really down to earth. The kind ob band with real people instead of celebrities.
(And when I say "bling", I'm not just talking about how popular rap is, I'm talking about ALL genres.)
Kartofflesalad 3 years ago
when I wrote "dated" I was refering mainly to the production. it totally has an "80s" drum sound, with an akmost electronic sounding snare- and some of the synth sounds, as well. just has the sonic qualities of something made in the 80s.. uh, 'cause it was.
TechnicalEvaluation 3 years ago 2
It sounds the same as modern bands that have no money... lol...
Kartofflesalad 3 years ago
Like your outlook on this
needlepunked 2 years ago
The Church is one of the greatest bands of all time. Hope they make the rock n roll hall of fame someday. Steve Kilbey is a great singer-songwrither.
jsizer35 3 years ago 10
Agreed. But I doubt that will ever happen as the Church are too unknown in the USA and haven't sold enough records for them to even consider them. Not that it's really important anyways, F' the RnR hall of fame.
houseofglass21 3 years ago 2
Thanks, Jesuskrishna. I'll do some checking. I've done some already. I found the video for Louisiana and I agree the song is pretty good.
dimone 3 years ago
God yes. Louisianas the best song they've written in the past decade. Only rivaled by Numbers
JoeChrisMorris 3 years ago
I have only seen this video once before. It was at 1st Avenue in Minneapolis, MN in 1985 or so. I didn't get to see if very well at the time because I got right to dancing. I'm glad to see it now.
The Church was a favorite of mine to see live, but, for me, they lost a lot of their lustre after Starfish. They just got too mid-tempo and ethereal.
It was my understanding that the other LP released in the US with Remote Luxury was called Seance. I never heard of Persia. Oh, well, both are great.
dimone 3 years ago
Yeah, they're great. I still like the stuff they put out today, though. They did take a psychedelic turn after Starfish that I know some people didn't like. I happen to like psychedelic, etherial music though, and there are only a few songs that I usually pass up, though sometimes I find myself listening to them anyway, just depends on the mood I'm in.
Apocryphile1970 3 years ago
Like Kohntarkos said below, Remote Luxury and Persia started out as two 5-track EPs, but were later consolidated into a 10-track album called Remote Luxury, so if you've got that, you're not really missing anything. The two EPs did sound enough alike that you probably would think they were written at about the same time. I think that explains the lyric, "Tinges of Persia, I hope that it sells...."
Apocryphile1970 3 years ago
Ah, I see. So, Seance must have been it's own album. I knew there was a combo thing involving Remote Luxury, I just had it wrong.
I gotta say I haven't heard much after Starfish. The next two albums was all. Despite a couple good songs, I wasn't thrilled with their stuff. I absolutely hated 'You're Still Beautiful'.
And their live shows really lacked the energy that their earlier shows had. It all seemed to go south after Starfish.
Any suggestions on their newer stuff I should check out?
dimone 3 years ago
If you're looking for the sharp, edgy, and tight Church of Heyday and Starfish, you might want to look into Sometime Anywhere or A Box of Birds. Definitely stay away from Hologram of Baal and Magician Among the Spirits--both of which have edgy songs on them, but are overwhelmed by the dark and brooding spirit that can sometimes be too much for the cheerful soul. The Church is a band for the kind of person who can just be passive and let the music take them wherever it will.
Apocryphile1970 3 years ago
Though Apocryphile has some great points, I actually have to disagree about Hologram of Ball based on what you've said I think you'd really enjoy that record! There's some great rockers like Ricochet and No Certainty Attached, some great pop songs like Buffalo, Glow Worm and the absolutely GORGEOUS Louisiana as well the majestic beauty of Tranquility. Yes there are some slow moments on the record but overall I find the flow of it to be a great balance.
Jesuskrishna 3 years ago
Though Apocryphile has some great points, I actually have to disagree about Hologram of Ball based on what you've said I think you'd really enjoy that record! There's some great rockers like Ricochet and No Certainty Attached, some great pop songs like Buffalo, Glow Worm and the absolutely GORGEOUS Louisiana as well the majestic beauty of Tranquility. Yes there are some slow moments on the record but overall I find the flow of it to be a great balance.
Jesuskrishna 3 years ago
And if it helps any, I too, always hated You're Still Beautiful!
%^)
Jesuskrishna 3 years ago
Hard to recommend with The Church. I like The Church because they are always exploring music...literally following thier own inner muses. They speak of things like corruption (Blood Money) and pollution (Tristesse) and mankind's futile efforts at Self-Realization (Constant in Opal) They delve into false experience and self-destructive Psychological States (Lost), as well as drug experiences and problems (Anaestesia, Terra Nova Cain, Laughing, Paradox, etc.)
Apocryphile1970 3 years ago
It was only a few years ago that I found out that the album that was known in the US as Remote Luxury was actually compiled from music that had been released on two EP's in other parts of the world. One was Remote Luxury and the other was Persia.
The funny thing is though the Stateside LP was called Remote Luxury, the album cover seems to be drawn from the same photo session (with the same font for the band name and title) as Persia!
Kohntarkosz 3 years ago
I prefer the cover to PERSIA far more than the one for the American Remote Luxury!
Jesuskrishna 3 years ago
The song is sensational but I have always thought that this video looks like an outtake from "Sweet and Sour" (abc Australia tv show starring Tracy Mann from memory)
CamboL 3 years ago
The Church is by far my favorite band. I tried to put out all the ones that weren't currently on YouTube, and wow! What an oversight.
Apocryphile1970 4 years ago
I love this song! It's one of the Church's many hidden treasures! Thanks for the post!
tmutazz 4 years ago