The Church - "Eros Zeta and the Perfumed Guitars" : Australian psychedelic rockers are back

    In the late 80s, paisley-clad quartet The Church seemed destined for mainstream success with the epic, poetic guitar rock of Starfish. But they dipped under the radar and continued following their own idiosyncratic path.

    These days they're exceptionally prolific. This is The Church's 27th album, and their second double concept set in six months. It's set in 2054 - a century on from the year of bassist, vocalist and sole remaining founder member Steve Kilbey's birth - and follows on from last year's The Hypnogogue chronicling the kaleidoscopic adventures of Eros Zeta, who is drolly said to 'sing like Steve Kilbey' on Music From The Machine Age.    

    There's a lot to digest lyrically, but the music is melodically fresh and full of invention. The Church deliver a typically immersive, intricate soundworld of twin guitars and keyboards, and the songs range from acoustic-led pastoralia majestic mid­pacers and the musicians stretch out on the lengthy, structurally complex A Strange Past 

...And the story ends cryptically - for now - with the fittingly haunting instrumental, Music From The Ghost Hotel.