Keith Newman as well as running Highlights PR, is the presenter of Radio Northumberland’s New Wave With Newman show. Here he reviews the debut album by The Church of Eon.
I was privileged to meet Nic Austin on a windy spring night in Gateshead before Chelsea played a cracking set at the Three Tuns pub. Associated with the band for more than 35 years, Nic Austin’s flamboyant stage presence blew away the enthusiastic crowd with his well-rehearsed guitar riffs and a surprise to me lead vocal on “We don’t believe you”.
But what’s impressed me lately is his work with his own band, Church of Eon. Their debut album, “All Our Tomorrows” takes you on a punchy, wall of sound journey into the land of pure power pop/ punk rock and roll.
The first track, “Died and Gone To Heaven” instantly grabs and pulls you in you with its catchy 60’s style keyboard reminiscent of those on The Stranglers “96 Tears”.
Those keyboards then miraculously morph into a church organ sound on the next track “Happy” which conjures up sounds that reinforce the band’s name together with an infectious sing-along chorus and a join in, shout out “Whoa Ho” which fills the song throughout. I think in years to come, although not about weddings per se, punk brides and grooms will interpret the words to their situation and pogo down their own Church of Eon aisle to this track with it’s promise of being “so very happy.”
The title track “All Our Tomorrows” is a call to action to stand up and be counted for all our tomorrows. The punk messages of 1977 are embodied in this track albeit in a more subtle yet still poignant way with the question being asked, “do you really care?”
The energy in this album is constantly high and it’s a fantastic sing along album for the car, the bath or when out jogging. Every track has a personal meaning to the listener because it covers subjects we ‘re all familiar with such as “Eye of The Storm” which I’ve interpreted as being about a break up or the darker personification of bitterness spewed out in Nic’s vocals in “Hear it Comes” which deals with revenge.
All in all, an incredible, very listenable album with clever lyrics, catchy choruses, a full sound and even an instrumental (Eon pt1) that makes this a fantastic debut.
I’m not going to compare it with any other bands as this album has its own unique and distinctive sound. Play any track and you’ll say, “That’s the Church of Eon.” That’s far from a negative comment as I mean it in the same way as you can instantly recognise The Ramones, Clash or The Stranglers and Church of Eon are up there with the best.
I’m not a religious person but I’m definitely converted to the Church of Eon and quite frankly, I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.
Sermon over – put the CD on and preach to the unconverted.
Listen to New Wave with Newman every Monday at 8pm on www.radionorthumberland.com
Keith also looks after PR for musicians including Penetration, Neville Luxury, Decca Wade and many unsigned bands too. Contact him at keith@highlightspr.co.uk