THE CHURCH - BLURRED CRUSADE 12" Vinyl LP Album

- French Release

"The Blurred Crusade" is the second album by Australian group The Church which was released in March 1982 by EMI / Parlophone. It shows a change of direction from the new-wave leanings of the band's debut. The album peaked at No. 10 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart and "Almost with You" reached No. 21 on the related Singles Chart. It was produced and mixed by Bob Clearmountain . While still dominated primarily by Steve Kilbey's song writing, the music shows more of a resurgent 1960s psychedelia and the beginnings of guitarists Peter Koppes' and Marty Willson-Piper's trademark interplay. The album's first single, "Almost with You," is considered one of the group's most characteristic songs. Two band compositions, "An Interlude" and "You Took", have been frequently included in set lists throughout their career. Both the band and a large section of the fan-base cite the album as one of their finest.

Front Cover Photo Of THE CHURCH - Blurred Crusade 12" Vinyl LP Album

"The Blurred Crusade" Album Description

In 1982, the jangly guitars and ethereal soundscapes of The Church's second album "The Blurred Crusade" found their way to French shores. Released on the Carrere label (catalog number 67907), this edition offered a gateway for European listeners to experience one of Australia's most compelling alternative rock acts.

"The Blurred Crusade" itself marked a sonic evolution for The Church. Moving away from the new-wave leanings of their debut, the album dived into a more atmospheric, psychedelic territory. Songs like the yearning "Almost With You" and the sprawling "Field of Mars" showcased a band expanding their musical horizons, painting with swirling guitars and Steve Kilbey's poetic, dream-like lyrics.

The album's production, handled by the legendary Bob Clearmountain, added another layer of intrigue. Clearmountain, known for his work with artists like Bruce Springsteen and David Bowie, infused the tracks with a polished, spacious shimmer that perfectly complemented the band's burgeoning sound.

While the core tracklist likely remained consistent with worldwide releases of "The Blurred Crusade," the French pressing on Carrere almost certainly featured its own unique elements.

These nuances make the Carrere release of "The Blurred Crusade" a fascinating addition to any dedicated fan's collection. It represents a moment in time when The Church's distinctive sound began to resonate internationally, building a bridge between the Australian underground and a wider European audience..

"Almost With You": A Dreamy Anthem of Longing: Opinion

The Church's 1982 song "Almost With You" remains a beloved classic for its wistful beauty. Its jangly guitars, shimmering atmosphere, and bittersweet melody perfectly express a timeless feeling of longing and the nearness of something just out of reach.

The song's brilliance lies in the way it blends the tangible and the ethereal. Steve Kilbey's dreamy vocals and evocative lyrics ("The day is almost gone, I can see your window") create a sense of hazy yearning, yet the object of desire remains elusive. This tension is universally relatable, a feeling of reaching for something that slips away as you think you have it.

Musically, "Almost With You" showcases The Church's shift towards a more atmospheric sound. Jangling guitars blend with spacious keyboards, creating a feeling of both vastness and intimacy. The song's enduring appeal speaks to the power of music to evoke complex emotions with a deceptive simplicity, making "Almost With You" a touchstone that lingers long after the last note fades.

Watch Almost With You:

Music Genre:

New Wave Rock 

Album Production Information:

The album: "THE CHURCH The Blurred Crusade" was produced by: Bob Clearmountain , Chris Gilbey

Record Label Information:

Carrere ATV Northern Productions 67907 

Media Format:

12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record

Year & Country:

1982 Made in France
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: THE CHURCH The Blurred Crusade
    Band-members, Musicians and Performers
  • Steve Kilbey - lead vocals, bass guitar, keyboards, slide guitar
  • Peter Koppes - lead guitar, backing vocals, percussion, tubular bells, piano ( You Took )
  • Richard Ploog - drums, percussion
  • Marty Willson-Piper - electric & acoustic 12 & 6 string guitars, lead vocal ( Field of Mars )
Complete Track-listing of the album "THE CHURCH The Blurred Crusade"

The detailed tracklist of this record "THE CHURCH The Blurred Crusade" is:

  1. Almost With You (Steve Kilbey)
  2. When You Were Mine (Kilbey)
  3. Field of Mars (Kilbey, Marty Willson-Piper)
  4. An Interlude (Kilbey, Peter Koppes, Willson-Piper, Richard Ploog)
  5. Secret Corners (Kilbey)
  6. Just for You (Kilbey)
  7. A Fire Burns (Kilbey)
  8. To Be in Your Eyes (Kilbey)
  9. You Took (Kilbey, Koppes, Willson-Piper, Ploog)
  10. Don't Look Back (Kilbey)

THE CHURCH - Blurred Crusade 12" Vinyl LP Album High Resolution & Quality Photos

Front Cover Photo Of THE CHURCH - Blurred Crusade 12" Vinyl LP Album
Front Cover Photo Of THE CHURCH - Blurred Crusade 12" Vinyl LP Album

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Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone )

Photo Of The Back Cover THE CHURCH - Blurred Crusade 12" Vinyl LP Album
Photo of album back cover THE CHURCH - Blurred Crusade 12" Vinyl LP Album

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Photo One Of The Original Custom Inner Sleeve THE CHURCH - Blurred Crusade 12" Vinyl LP Album
Photo One Of The Original Custom Inner Sleeve THE CHURCH - Blurred Crusade 12" Vinyl LP Album

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Close up of record's label THE CHURCH - Blurred Crusade 12" Vinyl LP Album Side One:
Close up of record's label THE CHURCH - Blurred Crusade 12" Vinyl LP Album Side One

Record Label Details: CARRERE 67907