The 1981 Listening Post - The Church - Of Skins and Heart

The Church - Of Skins and Heart #131 April 13 1981 The Church Of Skins and Heart Genre: Rock 4.5 out of 5 Highlights: For a Moment We’re Strangers Chrome Injury An Unguarded Moment Don’t Open the Door to Strangers This record feels…ahead of its time. Yes there are a lot of toes dipping into the late 60s psychedelic pop sound ala the Furs and I have to wonder just how popular that first First record was down under. What’s happening here is a fully realized, terrific set of what would probably be considered “New Wave” in 1981, and “Alternative” in 1991 songs and it’s that rare beast that had me stopping everything and listening again. I would bet a month’s salary that The Church opened for U2 on an Australia leg. How could they not? “Memories in Future Tense” seems to be directly inspired by a Boy aesthetic. “Bel-Air” could have fallen off a mid-career Cure record. I just wanted to say that. Cuz I’m listening to it. Again.
I really love how it starts off with the brokenness of that moment that “we're strangers For a minute you look away For a second or always For an instant another day Such strange things you say” But it closes with that warning…”Don't leave your thoughts unguarded Don't let them float where they will They never tell me what I want to know Don't open the door tonight” In the end we are all strangers to each other, yes? And maybe for more than a moment, but perhaps we should be aware that some of those strangers wish us harm. This album was a much needed jolt to an otherwise unimpressive year of music…so far. https://music.apple.com/us/album/of-skins-and-heart/713478306