The Church - Almost Yesterday 1981-1990 (1994)

ALMOST YESTERDAY is the Church's third odds-and-ends collection (the first was 1987's HINDSIGHT, the second was the somewhat difficult-to-find 1991 release, A QUICK SMOKE AT SPOT'S), featuring tracks spanning the years 1981 through 1990. Though there's some crossover with the earlier collections, this one includes the band's biggest "hit," the brilliant "Under the Milky Way," and more importantly, their inspired cover of Simon & Garfunkel's "I Am a Rock," only available on CD in this collection. It also features the staggering "Texas Moon," a hard-to-find track that ranks among the band's best ever.

Everything here is good. "The Unguarded Moment" is a gorgeous pop masterpiece, "Electric Lash" features a dated but astonishingly cool drum loop and Steve Kilbey's lyrics at their hallucinogenic best, and "Tantalized" highlights Marty Willson-Piper and Peter Koppes' amazing guitar interplay.

Almost Yesterday 1981-1990 1994 THE CHURCH Steve Kilbey (v/b), Peter Koppes (g), Marty Willson-Piper (g), Tim Powles (d) Track Listing 1. "The Unguarded Moment" (1981 Of Skins And Heart) 2. "For A Moment We're Strangers" (1981 Of Skins And Heart) 3. "Tear It All Away" (1981 Of Skins And Heart) 4. "Life Speeds Up" (1982 The Blurred Crusade) 5. "Almost With You" (1982 The Blurred Crusade) 6. "When You Were Mine" (1982 The Blurred Crusade) 7. "I Am A Rock" (1982 The Blurred Crusade) 8. "Electric Lash" (1982 The Blurred Crusade) 9. "Into My Hands" (1984 Remote Luxury) 10. "Constant In Opal" (1984 Remote Luxury) 11. "Shadow Cabinet" (1984 Remote Luxury) 12. "Tantalized" (1985 Heyday) 13. "Myrrh" (1985 Heyday) 14. "Under The Milky Way" (1988 Starfish) 15. "Reptile" (1988 Starfish) 16. "Metropolis" (1990 Gold Afternoon Fix) 17. "Texas Moon" (1988 Starfish)

Unguarded Moments (Lyrics) So hard finding inspiration I knew you'd find me crying Tell those girls with rifles for minds That their jokes don't make me laugh They only make me feel like dying In an unguarded moment So long, long between mirages I knew you'd find me drinking Tell those men with horses for hearts That their jibes don't make me bleed They only make me feel like shrinking In an unguarded moment So deep, deep without a meaning I knew you'd find me leaving Tell those friends with cameras for eyes That their hands don't make me hang They only make me feel like breathing In an unguarded moment Current members Steve Kilbey (b. 13 Sep 1954) – lead vocals, bass guitar, keyboards, slide guitar, guitar (1980–present) Peter Koppes (b. 21 November 1955) – guitar, slide guitar, backing vocals, percussion, organ, piano (1980–1992, 1998–present) Marty Willson-Piper (b. 7 May 1958) – guitar, backing vocals, bass guitar (1980–present) Tim Powles (b. 21 December 1959) – drums (1993–present) Previous members Nick Ward – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1980–1981) Richard Ploog – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1981–1990) Craig Hooper – keyboards (1984) Jay Dee Daugherty – drums (1990–1993)

Under the Milkyway (Lyrics) Sometimes when this place gets kind of empty, Sound of their breath fades with the light. I think about the loveless fascination, Under the milky way tonight. Lower the curtain down in memphis, Lower the curtain down all right. I got no time for private consultation, Under the milky way tonight. Wish I knew what you were looking for. Might have known what you would find. And its something quite peculiar, Something thats shimmering and white. Leads you here despite your destination, Under the milky way tonight Wish I knew what you were looking for. Might have known what you would find. Wish I knew what you were looking for. Might have known what you would find. Under the milky way tonight. And its something quite peculiar, Something thats shimmering and white. Leads you here despite your destination, Under the milky way tonight Wish I knew what you were looking for. Might have known what you would find. Wish I knew what you were looking for. Might have known what you would find.