AFTER EVERYTHING NOW THIS

At the top of their game and under alot of pressure from me to come up with something as compelling as "Hologram of Baal", this release finds The Church not only equalling, but surpassing what they did on "Baal". The textures and moods set in this set are so compelling as to transport the listener to a plane the band has clearly laid out for the open-eared listener to climb to. And what a lofty and lovely view from where The Church put me with "AENT".

Lyrically, Steven Kilbey touches on themes of religion and spirituallity more than once, and with huge success. "Awful Ache", "Radiance" and "Invisible" all touch on themes of religion and spirituality, and true to Kilbeyan form, do not detract from, but rather enhance the "Christian ideal" to a more spiritual plane and out of the realm of dogma. "She's crying for loss, like the man on the cross.." ("Awful Ache") and the topic of virginal visions ("Radiance") are played out in intriguing styles that are nothing short of lyrical ballads of the highest magnitude. "Invisible" closes out the set with a repetitve "squeak-squeak" of fingers on guitar strings that could irritate some, but with time seem more like the most ingenious of simple musical performing stunts to appealing sonic effect in the song's context. The lyric in this song seems plaintive and mournful as Kilbey invokes a sense of frustration at trying to touch something tangible yet immaterial in the physical world. In a sense, this theme sums up the general underlying theme of the entire CD: the acceptance on faith of what we believe in that is not of this world, regardless of religious or other spiritual affiliation.

One word bears mentioning here. In no way shape or form is this "your kid's Coldplay". If anything, The Church influence but are seldom imitated. The breadth and depth of the band and their experiences in the music realm have outlasted the vast majority of bands that were their contemporaries in the 80's. Few bands have survived long enough with the same core of musicians to allow the kind of metamorphosis The Church have undergone to get to where they are today. They actually defy categorization. I've never really thought of them as "progressive" in the contemporary definition, nor are they "pop" in a Radiohead (who openly acknowledge The Church as heavy influences) sense. The Church are clearly in a realm of their own creation, and it's one they will continue to build on while they endure.