After signing to Arista in 1988, they saw their largest international success with the album Starfish and the American Top 40 hit "Under The Milky Way" which resurfaced on the soundtrack of the cult movie "Donnie Darko". Whilst the band remain feted by their peers, subsequent commercial success proved elusive: 1990s follow-up album "Gold Afternoon Fix" failed to capitalise on their success, and the band weathered several line-up changes after its release, first losing long-term drummer Richard Ploog, then Peter Koppes following 1992s "Priest = Aura". That album baffled and confused many fans upon its release as to what band The Church was considered to be, but is now considered a seminal album and one of the most revered by Church connoisseurs. The vacant drum-stool on Priest=Aura being occupied by Jay Dee Daugherty of Arista labelmate Patti Smiths group, and it was produced by Gavin MacKillop of Moose.
Reduced to a two-piece, Kilbey & Willson-Piper re-grouped with the assistance of drummer/producer Tim Powles to record 1994's "Sometime Anywhere", concluding their obligations to the Arista and Mushroom labels. The commercial decline, combined with the Church being ignored again by a music press more focused on the Nineties' music trends, could have brought about the demise of the band, had it not coincided with the breakthrough of the internet, thus enabling direct communication from the band to its passionate cult fanbase.
This brought about a new beginning for The Church, with Peter Koppes rejoining the band for recording 1996s "Magician Among The Spirits". The band (with Koppes back into the fold, and Powles now as the permanent drummer ), hit a re-newed creative surge and with regained selfconfidence, released "Hologram Of Baal" 2 years later, and toured Australia, the USA and Europe.
The first decade of the 21st century found the band releasing severeal highly critically acclaimed albums, like 2002's aptly named "After Everything Now this" and 2003's "Forget Yourself", the latter breaking new ground with bandmembers swapping instruments in the recording process. Live performances stray from high profile events like the 03 concerts at Sydney Opera House and the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, to low-profile gigs for smaller audiences, often confusing old 80s fans, surprised to find the band still playing, wrongly assuming the band just being one in the never-ending string of reunion acts.
2009's album "Untitled#23" marked yet another highlight.. its essence represented in just 10 songs, and with a strong less-is-more approach, the albums core identity being on par with Starfish, it also finds Steve Kilbey breaking new ground as a vocalist.
2010 saw their 30th anniversary, with extensive touring in the US and Australia. Their unique position and importance in the australian music scene was recognized with an ARIA award.
Their album, "Further Deeper", was released in 2014, and "man woman life death infinity" in 2017.
Maven
The Church Lyrics
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He's such a connoiseur, he's such an autograph hound, yeah
He's got sixteen yes-men and they tend to agree
There's a lover but without any eyes
He's got my number but he's got the size, yeah
And if you measure up a short trip could be wise
Just turn the light off when you go (leave it dark)
We'll send a sign to you over the sea
There goes the maven, sowing his seed
One for the rock, one for the hand that feeds, yeah
He reaps the harvest with a sleight of hand
Just say the magic word, he's at your side
Beware his magic touch, his plans are cheery and wide, yeah
He sleeps through the winter in a white-white land
Just turn the light off when you go (leave it dark)
Just turn the jury on you go (make them bark)
We'll send a sign to you over the sea
Here is the maven, draining the cup
He takes your arm then he beats you up, yeah
There is a surfeit of everything you crave
Here is the maven, signing the check
He orders dinner, so what the fucking heck, yeah
There is a surplus of everything you save
Just turn the light off when you go (leave it dark)
Just turn the jury on you go (make them bark)
We'll send a sign to you over the sea
"The Maven" is a song by Australian rock band The Church, which was released in 1992. The lyrics of the song seem to be about a person, the "maven," who is knowledgeable and influential in certain circles. The maven is described as an autograph hound, someone who collects signatures from famous people, and he is surrounded by yes-men, who agree with him no matter what. The singer also mentions a lover, who doesn't have eyes, and who may be powerless in the face of the maven's influence. The maven is also described as sleeping through the winter in a white land, which could be a metaphor for a kind of privileged existence.
The chorus of the song provides a warning to those who might cross the maven, telling them to turn off the light and leave the situation before there is trouble. There is a sense that the maven is dangerous, and that he has the power to manipulate others to his advantage. The song also contains references to magic and sleight-of-hand, suggesting that the maven may use tricks and deception to achieve his ends.
Overall, "The Maven" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of influence and power, and a reminder that sometimes the most knowledgeable people can also be the most dangerous.
Line by Line Meaning
Here comes the maven, he's coming around
The manipulator is approaching
He's such a connoiseur, he's such an autograph hound, yeah
He is a keen observer and collector of things, especially signatures
He's got sixteen yes-men and they tend to agree
He surrounds himself with people who unquestioningly support his views
There's a lover but without any eyes
He has a romantic interest, but is blind to reality
He's got my number but he's got the size, yeah
He knows how to manipulate me but has the advantage in power
And if you measure up a short trip could be wise
If I match his power, a quick escape may be the best option
Just turn the light off when you go (leave it dark)
Hide your true self before leaving
Just turn the jury on you go (make them bark)
Influence others to see things your way before departing
We'll send a sign to you over the sea
A message will be delivered from a distance
There goes the maven, sowing his seed
He is spreading his influence and power
One for the rock, one for the hand that feeds, yeah
He works towards his own goals, but also benefits those who support him
He reaps the harvest with a sleight of hand
He gains his rewards through deceitful means
Just say the magic word, he's at your side
He will come to you readily if you use his preferred method of manipulation
Beware his magic touch, his plans are cheery and wide, yeah
Be wary of his persuasive power and recognize his far-reaching goals
He sleeps through the winter in a white-white land
He lies dormant during the hard times in a place of comfort and luxury
Here is the maven, draining the cup
He is consuming everything he can get his hands on
He takes your arm then he beats you up, yeah
He presents himself as an ally, only to then harm you
There is a surfeit of everything you crave
He has an abundance of everything that you want
Here is the maven, signing the check
He is the one holding the power and resources
He orders dinner, so what the fucking heck, yeah
He takes advantage of his position of power to make extravagant and unnecessary purchases
There is a surplus of everything you save
He has more resources and power than what you can keep under control
Just turn the light off when you go (leave it dark)
Hide your true intentions and actions before leaving
Just turn the jury on you go (make them bark)
Influence others to turn against you before departing
We'll send a sign to you over the sea
There will be some indication from a distance about what his next move will be
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KILBEY, WILSON-PIPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BittersweetSymphony
on You're Still Beautiful
Sometimes I wonder if he is writing about himself