The Church - Starfish

The most popular album by this Australian band who are so often called underrated... On the surface it might seem unremarkable, ten four-minute songs by a four-piece band. In fact they're impeccably written songs, with a wholly individual style based on shimmering layers of jangly guitars, dry understated singing and colourful lyrics. The sound is timeless and far from the tasteless synth pop and kitchen-sink productions usually associated with the 80's. "Under the Milky Way", their one US hit, has a great melody and dreamy undercurrent, despite the band probably being sick of it. Another clear stand-out track is the scathing "Reptile", with its slithery guitars and rattling percussion, which apparently also had some radio play in the US back then. The tunes and arrangements are so consistent that few tracks do stand out, and there are no really weak songs.

October 7, 2003

8 out of 10

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