Customer Reviews

El Momento Descuidado

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Look, if you're a fan you should absolutely love this album. If you're not a fan, this is, ironically, a really good place to get some exposure to the world's greatest active rock band, The Church. No, that's not hyperbole. Yes, I said "world's greatest". Someday, the world will understand. Look at the longevity. Look at the catalog. *Listen* to the music. They are giants. But I digress. This album is a re-interpretation of some Church classics as well as some new tunes. Two of the new tunes are just tremendous, 0408 and ALL I KNOW. Words can't describe their "truth-seeking" beauty. The re-cooked classics are great too, esp. the lesser-known CHROMIUM, A NEW SEASON and INVISIBLE. Production is sparse and it brings out the best. This is just an essential disc. Buy it and get clued in.

El Momento Descuidado sees The Church take a slightly unexpected turn. Over twenty years and many albums into their career, they've sprung upon the unsuspecting world an acoustic album of such splendour that it's hard to believe it was recorded live in just a few days.

What we have here is an album that sees the band re-visiting and re-working some of the gems from their back catalogue; and throwing in some new songs that sit more than comfortably with the old ones.

All I Know stands out among the new songs as a Church classic. The re-working of The Unguarded Moment will surprise. A New Season brings a whole new life to the song. Invisible shines. The acoustic arrangements let Steve Kilbey's voice shine through - except on the tracks where other band members take over the vocal duties!- and in all the albums they've made he's rarely sounded this good.

If you like anything that The Church have ever done then this CD is an essential purchase.

How to decribe this gem of a CD.
There is such a gentle warm feeling to the songs. It appears that Steve Kilbey's voice is aging like a fine wine. Great selection of songs with a sprinkling of five new ones. I have always tried to get friends and coworkers to like the Church and this one is getting the warmest response.
Any fan of the Church will enjoy and it is a great place to start for the curious.

This album is as beautiful in its simplicity as it is in its ability to conjure the old-friend feeling of all of the classic and newer Church songs featured herein. I highly recommend this disc. It is absolutely delightful, although it helps to be familiar with some of the original versions, so that one has a frame of reference as to the stripped-down direction the band took this time around.
The only regret here is that there weren't but a few songs from After Everything, Now This. A minor complaint, and perhaps trite, but I suppose it also leaves room for other songs from the catalog. Bottom line: The Church has released a shining gem into the otherwise cookie-cutter "music" mainstream masses. Luckily hardly anyone I talk to has heard of this band. This album is definitely one big point in the plus column! This, people,is what music sounds like when it's the work of seasoned musicians. Sonic genius.

If you are a fan of the Church you will enjoy the fine re-working of some classic Church songs. The new arrangements emphasize the acoustic but still retain a "spacey" feel that marks music produced by Kilbey, Willson-Piper, Koppes, and Powles. The stripped down versions bring about a brand new sort of freshness, and emphasizes the absolute beauty found in some of the tunes. Plus, 5 new and creative songs justify a 4.5- 5.0 star rating. For new listeners the choice of titles and melodic approach makes for accesibility to novice ears. Highly recommended.

While I admit that I haven't heard all of the songs compiled here, every one is interesting and changed to dramatic effect. It's a solid piece of work that I enjoy listening to whenever and I prefer the acoustic reworking since it shakes up the seemingly stodgy formatting of the original songs that we all love, but not know far too well. This recording is just complete class to me, that's what I hear when I listen to it. These versions are just so vital to me. Buy it, listen to it, tell me what you think.

Like the other reviewers, I am absolutely enthralled with this album. As a longtime fan of The Church, I find that the acoustic format suits the band beautifully. Steve Kilbey's voice is as hypnotic as ever, and the stellar musicianship we have come to expect is there in spades. Of the new songs, my favorite is "0408," which calls to mind Robyn Hitchcock in some of his best acoustic moments. One gets the sense that if/when the band releases a "plugged-in" version of this song, it will soar to even greater heights. All in all, a fantastic collection of songs that could only have been made by a band that has been stoking their creative fire and exploring intricate musical avenues for more than 25 years. Highly, highly recommended for loyal fans and newcomers alike!

An excellent effort to bring new light to some of these classic old Church tunes. I've been a fan since the mid 80's and have no problem giving this four stars so I think any fan will find this cd worth owning. I agree that newcomers may not "get it" so beware. The opening of "The Unguarded Moment" (also the cd title in Spanish) is so perfect and it sets the tone for the rest of the cd. That is a 25 year old song and it sounds as fresh as anything the Church have done in recent years. I never did like "Metropolis" until I heard it here. My favorite track on here is "Tristesse." The original version is perfect, but MWP does something to this song on here to really make it special. It may sound like a Bob Dylan impression, but I think it rocks. Song list: The Unguarded Moment, Almost with You, November, Metropolis, Chromium, Sealine, New Season, All I Know, Till the Cows Come Home, Tristesse, Under the Milky Way, Invisible, Between Mirages.

Wow...what a great collection of songs, a wonderful album.
I am a fan of the Church, but even if you have never heard of them, you will find this disc amazing.
I am at a loss of words to decribe the songs.
My only regret is that there is not a DVD of performances of these songs. I would go upstairs and watch it all night!

I discovered The Church over 20 years ago, little knowing that one day my following of a treasured sound from Australia would also become my son's obsession. How many bands can inspire fans spanning generations from 60 to 30? Obviously the benefit of this dual interest is that we both can keep each other informed of new releases, and that is how I learned of El Momento Descuidado. We each have every Church release, and this latest is just as great as their first album. I cannot add to the incredibly informed review below, except to say, if you're a Church fan, buy this album. It does not disappoint, and is magical. Kudos to 20 years of consistent musical craftsmanship and dedication to their fans.