Album Information:

About The Church:

The Church is an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1980. The band consists of members Steve Kilbey (vocals, bass), Peter Koppes (guitar), Tim Powles (drums), and Ian Haug (guitar). The band's music is characterized by Kilbey's distinctive vocals, Koppes' intricate guitar work, and their signature blend of psychedelic and atmospheric sounds.

The Church's debut album, 'Of Skins and Heart' was released in 1981 and featured the hit single 'The Unguarded Moment.' The album received critical acclaim and propelled the band to success in Australia. They continued to release successful albums throughout the 1980s including 'The Blurred Crusade' (1982), 'Heyday' (1985), and 'Starfish' (1988), which included the hit single 'Under The Milky Way.'

In the 1990s, The Church continued to release critically acclaimed albums, including 'Gold Afternoon Fix' (1990) and 'Priest=Aura' (1992). However, the band experienced internal conflicts and lineup changes during this time. Kilbey set aside his bass guitar for a time and worked as a solo artist, releasing several albums. The band reunited in the late 1990s with the release of 'Hologram of Baal' (1998).

In the 2000s, The Church continued to release new music and tour extensively. They celebrated their 30th anniversary in 2010 with the release of 'Untitled #23.' The album received high praise and showcased the band's continued ability to produce fresh and innovative music.

The Church's music has been characterized as post-punk, psychedelic rock, and atmospheric pop. The band's distinctive sound has influenced many other artists and earned them a devoted fan base around the world. They continue to tour and record to this day, solidifying their legacy as one of Australia's most successful and influential bands.

About the album Starfish:

Starfish by The Church is a classic post-punk and new wave album released in 1988. The Melbourne-based band’s fifth studio album, it's regarded as one of their most commercially and critically successful works.

The album opens with the ethereal and transcendent 'Destination,' floating through a lush soundscape filled with harmonies, shimmering guitars, and a psychedelic-tinged production style. 'Under The Milky Way,' the album's most widely known track and commercial success, follows, with its instantly recognizable and catchy riff that perfectly blends Steve Kilbey's laconic vocals with atmospheric instrumentals.

The other album highlights include 'Lost,' which features frenetic guitar work and is driven by a pulsating bassline and hypnotic drums, while 'Spark' is a percussive, jangly rocker, and 'Antenna' provides a more upbeat, synth-driven interlude that manages to be both danceable and introspective.

The title track, 'Starfish,' begins with lush, reverberating guitars that lead into a slow and steady drumbeat before Kilbey launches into his airy, meandering vocal melody, inviting the listener to get lost in its dreamy, otherworldly atmosphere.

The album’s closer, 'Hotel Womb,' is a haunting ballad that showcases the band’s softer side and features some of the most delicate and beautiful guitar work on the album, with Kilbey’s introspective lyrics adding a touch of melancholy to the track.

Overall, Starfish by The Church is an excellent body of work that has endured the test of time and continues to be celebrated by music lovers all over the world for its unique and compelling blend of psychedelic, post-punk, and new wave influences. It's a must-listen for fans of the genre, as well as those looking for a sonic escape into a dreamy, otherworldly realm.

Members:

The Church is an Australian rock band that was formed in Sydney in 1980. The current lineup of the band features four key members, each with their unique contributions to the band's sound and style. Here are biographies of each member:

1. Steve Kilbey (vocals, bass guitar) - Steve Kilbey is the frontman of The Church and the primary songwriter for the band. He was born in the UK in 1954 but moved to Australia at a young age. Kilbey has released numerous solo albums and collaborated with other artists throughout his career, but it is his work with The Church that has brought him the most success. He is known for his distinctive voice and poetic lyrics, often drawing inspiration from religion, spirituality and literature.

2. Peter Koppes (guitar, vocals) - Peter Koppes is the lead guitarist and backing vocalist of The Church. He was born in Sydney in 1955 and joined the band shortly after its formation. Koppes has also released several solo albums and has worked as a producer and session musician for other artists. He is known for his intricate and expressive guitar playing, which has been a key component of The Church's sound since the beginning.

3. Tim Powles (drums, percussion, guitar) - Tim Powles is the drummer, percussionist, and occasional guitarist for The Church. He was born in Sydney in 1967 and joined the band in 1994 after they had already been active for over a decade. Powles is also a professional music producer and engineer, having worked with a variety of artists in Australia and around the world. He is known for his technical proficiency and dynamic drumming style, which has helped to shape The Church's sound in recent years.

4. Ian Haug (guitar, vocals) - Ian Haug is the newest member of The Church, having joined the band in 2013. He was born in Brisbane in 1970 and is best known for his work as the guitarist for the Australian band Powderfinger, which disbanded in 2010. Haug has also worked as a producer, mixer, and recording engineer, and he brings a fresh energy and perspective to The Church's live performances and recordings. He is known for his skilled guitar playing and powerful vocal range.

Track List for Starfish:

Sure, here are all the tracks in the album 'Starfish' by The Church, along with their play times and descriptions:

1. 'Destination' (4:55) - This opening track sets the mood for the entire album with its dreamy, atmospheric sound and catchy melody. The lyrics are about embarking on a journey, both physically and spiritually.

2. 'Under the Milky Way' (4:57) - One of the band's most famous songs, this track features a memorable guitar riff and haunting vocals. The lyrics are somewhat enigmatic, but seem to touch on themes of isolation and longing.

3. 'Blood Money' (4:19) - With its driving beat and jangling guitars, 'Blood Money' is a more upbeat and energetic track than the two that came before. The lyrics criticize the corrupting influence of wealth and power.

4. 'Lost' (4:58) - A slower, more introspective song, 'Lost' is about feeling disconnected and adrift in the world. The soaring guitar solo is a highlight.

5. 'North, South, East and West' (4:27) - The shortest track on the album, 'North, South, East and West' is a catchy, pop-inflected song about the longing for a lost love.

6. 'Spark' (4:10) - One of the more experimental tracks on the album, 'Spark' features distorted guitars and a more dissonant sound. The lyrics deal with themes of creativity and inspiration.

7. 'Antenna' (3:49) - This upbeat song has a catchy chorus and a driving rhythm. The lyrics are a bit cryptic, but seem to touch on themes of communication and connection.

8. 'Reptile' (4:44) - A slow-building, hypnotic track, 'Reptile' features shimmering guitars and ethereal vocals. The lyrics explore the idea of transformation and evolution.

9. 'A New Season' (4:52) - With its lilting melody and jangly guitar riffs, 'A New Season' is one of the bouncier and more upbeat tracks on the album. The lyrics are about change and the passing of time.

10. 'Hotel Womb' (5:55) - The album's final track is an epic, sprawling closer with a slow, brooding tempo and haunting vocals. The lyrics deal with themes of despair and isolation.

Discography for The Church:

Here is a complete discography for The Church in chronological order, including all albums, singles, and other releases with their respective release dates:

Albums:
1. Of Skins and Heart (1981)
2. The Blurred Crusade (1982)
3. Seance (1983)
4. Remote Luxury (EP) (1984)
5. Heyday (1985)
6. Starfish (1988)
7. Gold Afternoon Fix (1990)
8. Priest=Aura (1992)
9. Sometime Anywhere (1994)
10. Magician Among the Spirits (1996)
11. Hologram of Baal (1998)
12. A Box of Birds (1999)
13. After Everything Now This (2002)
14. Forget Yourself (2003)
15. Beside Yourself (2004)
16. Uninvited, Like the Clouds (2006)
17. Shriek: Excerpts from the Soundtrack (2008)
18. Untitled #23 (2009)
19. Further/Deeper (2014)
20. Man Woman Life Death Infinity (2017)

Singles:
1. 'She Never Said' (1980)
2. 'The Unguarded Moment' (1981)
3. 'Too Fast for You' (1981)
4. 'Almost with You' (1982)
5. 'When You Were Mine' (1982)
6. 'Electric Lash' (1983)
7. 'It's No Reason' (1983)
8. 'Constant in Opal' (1983)
9. 'Already Yesterday' (1985)
10. 'Tantalized' (1985)
11. 'Under the Milky Way' (1988)
12. 'Reptile' (1988)
13. 'Antenna' (1991)
14. 'Metropolis' (1991)
15. 'Ripple' (1992)
16. 'Comedown' (1994)
17. 'Two Places at Once' (1994)
18. 'Louisiana' (1995)
19. 'Pangaea' (1998)
20. 'Block' (1999)
21. 'Song in Space' (1999)
22. 'Operetta' (2000)
23. 'Numbers' (2002)
24. 'Easy' (2003)
25. 'Bastard Universe' (2004)
26. 'Unified Field' (2014)

Other Releases:
1. Remote Luxury Unreleased Live Recordings 1984-1985 (2002)
2. El Momento Descuidado (2004)
3. Parallel Universe (2017)

Note: This discography includes only official releases and does not include bootlegs or unauthorized recordings.