REMOTE LUXURY

[Fourth in a series] A decided step backward from the brilliance of "Seance," the band seems to be channeling what was then current in 80s pop/rock (though in its own inimitable way), perhaps looking for that first "hit." The songs are shorter, simpler, less "produced." Indeed, "No Explanation" is so radio-friendly that it's a wonder that it wasn't a hit. "10,000 Miles" and "Maybe Those Boys" are interesting, Eno-era Bowie-esque compositions, the latter having at least some minimal progressive sensibilities. "A Month of Sundays" starts out in a semi-progressive vein, but has an overly "pop" chorus and little production. "Volumes" has an interesting chromatic chord progression in the verses, and a somewhat Beatle-esque chorus, but would also have benefited from fuller production. "Remote Luxury" is both the most satisfying and important track. A "Floydian"-style instrumental, it would begin a trend that the band would, perhaps uniquely, continue on almost every album: including at least one instrumental, thereby keeping the rock instrumental alive. / Ultimately, however, listening to this album (as "pretty" as it is at times), "Seance" would seem a fluke. However, perhaps in not getting that first "hit" by reverting to their earlier approach, the band was forced to reassess their direction. And in doing so, and returning to the more progressive approach they began on "Seance," their next album ("Heyday") allowed them to find their true voice again - and they were ironically "rewarded" by getting that first hit after all.

After giving a glimpse of what their indentity would be along the rest of decade in "Seancé", their first so-called "breakthrough" album, a step forward was needed. I think that "Remote Luxury" was the first and probably (although not completely) failed attempt of creating a melodic, atmospheric and solid album. Their second attempt, fortunately succeded, it was called "Heyday".

This album have pieces of these good intentions brilliantly performed. like in "No explanation", "Volumes" or "Shadow Cabinet", all of them completely Heyday-ish. However, there are other songs that simply don't fix in the puzzle. They could have been put into another kind of album, probably in one of the earliest ones but they don't fix well in this one. The most clear example of this is "Maybe these boys", a song that doesn't even sound like The Church at all, at least at this stage. Others, like "Constant in Opal" and "Violet Town" give me mixed feelings.

Summing up, this album kind of proves that The Church are a band at a probably early stage stil in their development, but if giving them more chances, they'd eventually find their path, as they did.

This album is not the most attractive from the band so far.

They just perform their new wave oriented music (which was fine) with no new sound nor creative performance. This album is just a poor conjunction of average songs that have been placed one after the other.

I was rather enthusiast about the band but this short musical perspective has little to offer to be honest. This is a dreadful synthetic affair, all the way through. Gone is their fantasy. Gone is their amazing inventiveness.

What's left is just a bunch of uninspired songs: kind of "old" wave stuff. Nothing else to be honest. It is a deep deception to listen to such a weak effort when you bear in mind their good albums released prior to this one.

Now, to be totally faithful, I would say that only their debut could be ranked as a very good album. What came next was good, but no more. During this "Remote Luxury", I can't find any great moment to tell you the truth.

Average to weak music is what I can figure out. There were tenths of better albums produced in the middle eighties than this one. Even if we all know that this period wasn't the best one available for the musical genre we all love.

But there is nothing as such to be expected here. Unfortunately.

I was quite positive about the band so far, but none of the songs that are held here could raise my feeling above the bottom limit ("Into My Hands").

If you'd have ever to listen to one of "The Church" album, I can only recommend you to stay away from this one. Globally poor, totally weak: I am going to distribute two stars because of their great fantasy which was available during their first two albums. I only wish that the band will develop better things to come.