Australian greats, The Church, were (and still are) known for some intricate and at the same time very melodic psych-pop/rock.
Even as solo artists, the band’s two main men, Steve Kilbey and Marty Wilson-Piper continued to come up with the same level of quality music, with digressions into various genres. Still, it was those melody lines and mainly guitar embellishments when they shine the best.
This time around it was again Marty Wilson-Piper’s turn to come up with some excellent stuff. Working under the moniker of Arktik Lake, Piper, along with the drumming of Nigel Macara (ex Tamam Shud and Air Supply), along with guitars from Tony Rumble, backing vocals from Olivia Willson-Piper and bass/production from Manly legend, DC, has again delivered the goods.
The four tracks on Shimmer, their latest EP, literally do exactly that. From the jangly “Misty Shore,” through the Enio Moriccone-like guitar twang of “Hombre,” to the combination of the two (“Promises We Made’) and the concluding title track, Arktik Lake create the same musical buzz The Church did in their prime.
Actually, Piper and his cohorts explain it best themselves:
“Our EP Shimmer draws on and collects experiences from our favorite musical styles and influences, with a modern freshness for added appeal. Sparkling melodies with soaring guitars and vocals set against a driving rhythm section, telling stories with cinematographic splendor.”
Shimmer, indeed.
