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.
Musk
The Church Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh my heathen child
Baghdad's still ten leagues away
I go on undefiled
Wrap yourself in frankincense
Wrap yourself in rags
In the crowded market streets
Out among the hags
I'd offer you my bread
Who's been inside your aching bones
Who's been inside your head
Infidel baby
Oh my little girl
Nothing I can do for you
Nothing in this world
A thousand angry men-at-arms
A hundred vulgar priests
A pair of dirty little hands
Arousing drowsy beasts
There's a mad look in her mother's face
There's a whisper on the tongue
No peace in all of Christendom
Until this song is sung
The Church's song "Musk" is a contemplative, introspective piece that speaks of a journey to an Islamic city, Baghdad, with the singer's "infidel baby." The singer seems to be a traveler, someone who is on a pilgrimage of sorts, perhaps even for spiritual reasons or self-discovery. The use of the word "Frankincense" suggests a spiritual tone, as frankincense is an aromatic resin that is often used in religious ceremonies. The "rags" could also be symbolic of humility and simplicity, which are often considered spiritual virtues.
The singer seems to be aware of the dangers that come with such a journey. He mentions "a thousand angry men-at-arms" and "a hundred vulgar priests," painting a picture of a city that is divided by religion and politics. However, the singer goes on "undefiled," suggesting that he remains true to himself even in the face of danger, perhaps a testament to his faith or inner strength.
Despite this, there is a sense of sadness in the lyrics. The singer seems to be aware of his limitations, that he cannot offer much to his "infidel baby" in the way of protection or comfort. He can offer only a "gold fleece" and his "bread;" he cannot shield her from the darkness of the city. The line "nothing I can do for you, nothing in this world" suggests a sense of futility, as though the singer has accepted that there are some things he cannot change.
Overall, "Musk" is a deeply contemplative and introspective song that speaks to themes of spirituality, danger, love, and acceptance. It is a reflection on the complexities of life, and the realization that there are limitations to what we can do for the ones we love.
Line by Line Meaning
Infidel baby
Addressing a child born to a person of a different faith
Oh my heathen child
Expressing affection to the child despite having different beliefs
Baghdad's still ten leagues away
The distance between them and the cultural differences still exist
I go on undefiled
Maintaining their own beliefs and values
Wrap yourself in frankincense
Protect yourself with valuable things
Wrap yourself in rags
Even if you do not have any valuable things, protect yourself with whatever you have
In the crowded market streets
In the midst of a noisy, bustling environment
Out among the hags
Suggested that there are negative people in the environment
I'd offer you just one gold fleece
Willingness to offer even the most valuable things they have
I'd offer you my bread
Even if they do not have anything valuable, they are still willing to offer what they have
Who's been inside your aching bones
Asking about the pain that the child has gone through
Who's been inside your head
Asking about the experiences that have affected the child mentally
Infidel baby
Repeating the opening line
Oh my little girl
Expressing affection again
Nothing I can do for you
Acknowledging that they cannot change the circumstances
Nothing in this world
Stating that even the world cannot change the circumstances
A thousand angry men-at-arms
There are many people who are aggressive and can cause harm
A hundred vulgar priests
Even religious leaders can be negative
A pair of dirty little hands
The smallest and seemingly insignificant things can cause trouble
Arousing drowsy beasts
These small things can awaken trouble that is already there
There's a mad look in her mother's face
Trouble can even come from within family moments
There's a whisper on the tongue
People are talking and rumor-mongering
No peace in all of Christendom
There is chaos even in places that should be peaceful
Until this song is sung
Hope for peace and resolution through the power of the song
Contributed by Colton G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
BittersweetSymphony
on You're Still Beautiful
Sometimes I wonder if he is writing about himself