Hologram of Baal
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| Hologram of Baal | ||
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| Studio album by The Church | ||
| Released | September 8, 1998 | |
| Recorded | 1998 | |
| Genre | Rock | |
| Length | ??:?? | |
| Label | Thirsty Ear Recordings | |
| Producer(s) | The Church | |
| The Church chronology | ||
|---|---|---|
| Magician Among the Spirits (1996) |
Hologram of Baal (1998) |
Magician Among the Spirits Plus Some (1999) |
If Magician Among the Spirits was a dark time for the band with band members no longer on speaking terms and original member Peter Koppes sitting in as mainly a session musician, then 1998's Hologram of Baal is the reconvening of The Church proper.
Criticized by critics at the time for being too much of a throwback to their 80's output, Hologram of Baal nevertheless offered some classic Church tunes such as the trippy "Anaesthesia" and "Tranquility". The gorgeous "Louisiana" and "Glow Worm" are beloved in their beauty and "Buffalo" is a song that finds its way into set lists to this day.
"This is It" is about the death of INXS frontman and fellow Aussie, Michael Hutchence, though it's hard to determine through Kilbey's lyrics whether it is a tribute to the late Michael Hutchence or a simple shrugging of the shoulders, as is typical Kilbey-esqe obliqueness.
[edit] Track listing
- "Anaesthesia"
- "Ricochet"
- "Louisiana"
- "The Great Machine"
- "No Certainty Attached"
- "Tranquility"
- "Buffalo"
- "This is It"
- "Another Earth"
- "Glow-Worm"
The bonus disc, Bastard Universe was included on some pressings as a limited edition "jam" disc which would again be seen several years later on such releases as Jammed and Back With Two Beasts although most consider the latter an album proper. At over 79 minutes spread across six "stages" this disc is considered a must-own by Church fans for its experimental psychedelic wonders not seen since Pink Floyd released The Piper at the Gates of Dawn.
