On their debut,
Of Skins & Heart,
the Church play straightforward pop/rock firmly rooted in new wave, though owing no small debt to '60s pop. Edgier and more direct than their later work, it also ranks among their finest for that very reason. None of the excesses and ambitions that would sometimes get out of hand on later releases are present, though much of the band's basic formula was laid down --
Steve Kilbey's cool, detached vocals and slightly surrealistic lyrics combined with some outstanding pop hooks, nice harmonies, and layers of ringing guitar. The classic "Unguarded Moment" (arguably one of the greatest singles of the '80s) overshadows much of the material on the album, but there is really no shortage of great songs here. [The 2010 reissue of the album by Second Motion adds a lengthy reminiscence by guitarist
Marty Willson-Piper and two bonus tracks: "In a Heartbeat" (the B-side to the "She Never Said" 45), and "Busdriver" (the B-side of "The Unguarded Moment").] ~ Chris Woodstra