"Of Skins and Heart" is the debut studio album by Australian psychedelic rock band, The Church, released in January 1981. The pioneering album was produced by Chris Gilbey and Bob Clearmountain, both renowned names in the music industry.
The album delves into themes of surrealism, spirituality, and darkness, and it marked the first major milestone in the band's career. Famed for their complex songwriting and arty approach to music, The Church blended elements of post-punk, new wave, and psychedelic rock, which resulted in a distinctive sound that set the band apart from others during the early '80s.
The album contains nine tracks, including the single, "The Unguarded Moment," which achieved commercial success and climbed the charts in Australia upon its release. This album positioned The Church as one of the leading alternative rock bands in Australia and set the tone for their later, critically-acclaimed works.
The members of the band during this period included Steve Kilbey on lead vocals and bass guitar, Peter Koppes on guitars and backing vocals, Marty Willson-Piper on guitars and backing vocals, and Nick Ward on drums and percussion. Their combined talents contributed to a unique and compelling sound that would go on to influence many generations of musicians in the alt-rock and post-punk genres.
