The Album Club: "The Blurred Crusade" by The Church

Trollheart · 01-14-2018, 09:36 AM

First effort from Neapolitan as an actual contributor. Let's try to be nice, people! Comment, rate, review, vote and discuss here.

OccultHawk · 01-14-2018, 11:00 AM

I’m gonna go ahead and break the ice a little early on this one. I had never heard it before so I’m going off one initial listen. I cannot believe what beautiful hidden gem this is! This is why Music Banter pays dividends. Waking up on a Sunday morning and discovering this. This record wonderfully encapsulates that certain triumphant pop sound that defines so much of the 80s. I don’t want to overstate what I understand from such a new discovery but my initial reaction is why wasn’t this floating around in my head like Talk Talk Talk and After the Snow? Better late than never. Great pick!

rubber soul · 01-14-2018, 11:51 AM

The Church- The Blurred Crusade (1982)

Best Tracks: When You Were Mine, Field of Mars, You Took

Weakest Tracks: An Interlude, Secret Corners.

To be honest, I always thought of the Church, particularly later period Church, as kind of ‘meh.’ Their albums are certainly listenable but, in general, they don’t really hit it out of the ballpark for me.

This is an earlier album though, and they sound fresher than they would later. At their best, they stay close to their jangly pop roots. I especially liked When You Were Mine in that regard. There are a few songs that I would rate as ‘meh’ though none that I actually dislike. A few songs I like quite a bit, notably the songs I have in my best tracks. Overall, it’s a decent collection of modern folk rock.

So, I’m going to rate it a like. Nice pick, Nea.

7/10 (the Word has spoken

)

TechnicLePanther · 01-15-2018, 02:58 PM

Gotta agree with rubber on this one. It's a decently good jangle pop record that lacks many particularly unique or exciting elements, but isn't bland enough to drown out my enjoyment. I also agree that When You Were Mine would be a favorite, alongside To Be in Your Eyes.

7/10 AKA Liked it.

GunmouthGrace · 01-15-2018, 05:51 PM

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Trollheart · 01-15-2018, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GunmouthGrace

Are... are non-club members allowed to vote?

Either way... I've never heard this before. Truthfully I thought this was gonna end up being kinda meh from the opening track, but then An Interlude grabbed me by the ear with the ending guitar solo, giving me that little nudge to keep listening.

I do think there were some low spots - specifically, the opener Almost With You, Just For You and Secret Corners - but overall I actually liked this. Not as very active listening, mind you, but damn do I dig the laidback vibe.

Anyone can vote, or comment. You just can't suggest an album. Gotta be on the Greenlist for that. Anyone who's no-one is on the Greenlist.

GunmouthGrace · 01-15-2018, 05:58 PM

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Trollheart · 01-15-2018, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GunmouthGrace

K, thanks

I'm perfectly content just hearing these suggestions and offering my take on it.

We're glad to have you.

The more the messier. Sorry, I meant to say the mole the messier. No, that's not it. What was it I meant to say? I get so confused... what time is it? Are those my feet?

TechnicLePanther · 01-16-2018, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

We're glad to have you.

The more the messier. Sorry, I meant to say the mole the messier. No, that's not it. What was it I meant to say? I get so confused... what time is it? Are those my feet?

GunmouthGrace · 01-16-2018, 02:12 PM

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View Poll Results: How Much Did You Enjoy The Album?
Loved it	2	22.22%
Liked it	4	44.44%
Meh	2	22.22%
Disliked it	1	11.11%
Hated it	0	0%
Voters: 9. You may not vote on this poll

01-14-2018, 09:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,994	The Album Club: "The Blurred Crusade" by The Church First effort from Neapolitan as an actual contributor. Let's try to be nice, people! Comment, rate, review, vote and discuss here. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

01-14-2018, 11:00 AM	#2 (permalink)
OccultHawk one-balled nipple jockey Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dirty Souf Biatch Posts: 22,006	I’m gonna go ahead and break the ice a little early on this one. I had never heard it before so I’m going off one initial listen. I cannot believe what beautiful hidden gem this is! This is why Music Banter pays dividends. Waking up on a Sunday morning and discovering this. This record wonderfully encapsulates that certain triumphant pop sound that defines so much of the 80s. I don’t want to overstate what I understand from such a new discovery but my initial reaction is why wasn’t this floating around in my head like Talk Talk Talk and After the Snow? Better late than never. Great pick! __________________ 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Member of the Year & Journal of the Year Champion Behold the Writing of THE LEGEND: https://www.musicbanter.com/members-...p-lighter.html

01-15-2018, 02:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
TechnicLePanther and the livin' is easy... Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: New York Posts: 1,997	Gotta agree with rubber on this one. It's a decently good jangle pop record that lacks many particularly unique or exciting elements, but isn't bland enough to drown out my enjoyment. I also agree that When You Were Mine would be a favorite, alongside To Be in Your Eyes. 7/10 AKA Liked it. __________________ Many have tried to destroy it... but... true evil never dies. It is only... REBORN *SUGGEST ME AN ALBUM* - I'm probably not going to listen to it but I will if you bother me enough.

01-15-2018, 05:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
GunmouthGrace blah Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Earth Posts: 327	. Last edited by GunmouthGrace; 07-19-2022 at 08:28 PM.

01-15-2018, 05:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
GunmouthGrace blah Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Earth Posts: 327	. Last edited by GunmouthGrace; 07-19-2022 at 08:28 PM.

01-16-2018, 02:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
GunmouthGrace blah Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Earth Posts: 327	. Last edited by GunmouthGrace; 07-19-2022 at 08:29 PM.