Artist: The Church
Title: Lacuna (Cooking Vinyl Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Church, The Cure, David Bowie
Tell me more: Five decades into a celebrated run, Australian heroes The Church continue to fire on all cylinders. As evidenced on the newly-released 17-track Lacuna, the six-member psychedelic dream-pop troupe prevails while challenging themselves and their fans in ways that are increasingly rare in the world of popular music. An immersive and compelling listen, Lacuna kicks off with "Lumbini Grove," which stretches nearly seven minutes in length; the track is fueled by a two-minute cinematic instrumental opening with atmospheric sonics before expanding its arc with an undeniable chorus, stylish musicianship and frontman Steve Kilbey's rich baritone vocals.
Other stellar tracks found on the first half of the disc include the Americana-tinged "Cowboy," lovely "Ferrari," bewitching "Sky River," euphoric "Have You Been Here Before," and buoyant "Sky and Hill." The shimmering "I Want It," luxurious "The Place of Eternal Spring," aptly-titled "Rapture" and deeply affecting piano-anchored "Forever" are among the songs that keep the magic flowing on the album's final stretch. In addition to singer-bassist/founding member Kilbey (who sounds as great as ever),
The Church includes drummer-producer Tim Powles, guitarist Ian Haug, multi-instrumentalist Jeffrey Cain, guitarist Ashley Naylor and drummer Nicholas Meredith. Lacuna is available on double red LP in a gatefold sleeve, on audio CD and digital.
Robert Kinsler
