Some of the world's greatest art has been created under duress. Michelangelo's stunning work in the Sistine Chapel was done under pressure from the Church hierarchy and some notables in society. As a quiet 'Fuck you bastards', Michelangelo incorporated images of his sometimes thoughtless tormentors into his paintings, often in ugly or unflattering circumstances. Still, the paintings are superb. The end justifies the means.
So it is with GAF. The record companies wanted Starfish the Sequel. They invested gobs of money and fully expected the Church to become U2. Now, the same execs are (hopefully) counting beans for the likes of Creed or Mariah Carey. We still have the Church, the Church still have their credibilty, and the American Music Mafia have an ugly portrait of themselves imortalised in song.
I have loved GAF from the first listen.
Pharaoh. Classic Church. Bitter comentary on the music industry. One can actually hear the drums and music of the ancients echoing throughout this song.
Metropolis. Pop perfection. One of the first lead guitar bits I ever learned. Brilliant song. The lyrics are a shade thin, but the song doesn't suffer as a result. The chorus is lovely.
Terra Nova Caine. Sci-fi rock. Has always been my least favorite song. Deacon12 and I actually covered this one live one time!
City. Another bit of pop perfection. Listen to the arpeggios. The words. Too good. The guitars are masterfully recorded and mixed. And dig the big drumbeat at the beginning.
Monday Morning. Aching, beautiful, melancholy. Custom-made to accurately fit real life scenarios we've all been through!
Russian Autumn Heart. A fine upbeat song. MWP does a nice job. I like the 'started playing a bit too late' beginning of the solo.
Essence. Perfection. This is MWP and PK taking the likes of the Edge to guitar school. I like hearing Peter's voice high in the vocal mix in the chorus.
You're Still Beautiful. Often maligned, this is a great song. It may not be 'Myrrh', but it is a great departure from the expected Church sound and a fine sardonic lyric.
Disappointment. Perfection. Fretless bass. Lovely spanish style solo. Somber words. Lacks nothing. I can overlook the percussion.
Transient. The first song I heard from GAF. 2:30am, listening to WVXU (Cincinnati) play the REM wannabes and sloprock, when this song began, the artist was unmistakable. A vocal first for the Church.... an a cappela harmony vocal intro! Brilliant song.
Fading Away. Here is where the album begins to become truly good. 'Who's there to say that we're living this moment, feels like I'm in a play...the sets and the props of this your apartment seem to be fading away'
'that perfume makes me think of grief'
Superb.
Laughing. My favorite track on the album. Deserves its very own thread.
Grind. One of the band's defining moments.
I'm sorry to be so brief and vague. I also hope I didn't leave out any songs. I'm doing this from memory. It's late! Cheers, Noel
...sound is like sweetgrass, it travels in between worlds...