The Christians is the debut album by English music ensemble the Christians, released in 1987. It contains their first five UK hit singles: "Forgotten Town", "Hooverville", "When the Fingers Point", "Ideal World" and "Born Again".
Critical reception
AllMusic has retrospectively been generally favourable towards the album, stating that the band "blend socially conscious lyrics of life under Thatcher with smooth, slickly programmed pop-soul arrangements" and concluding that the record was "a solid debut with very few filler tracks".
Track listing All tracks written and composed by Henry Priestman except where noted. "Forgotten Town" – 5:13 "When the Fingers Point" – 3:32 "Born Again" – 5:18 "Ideal World" (Priestman, M. Henry Herman) – 4:35 "Save a Soul in Every Town" – 4:32 "...And That's Why" – 5:17 "Hooverville" (Priestman, Herman) – 4:45 "One in a Million" – 4:42 "Sad Songs" (Priestman, Herman) – 4:25 "Forgotten Town" (12" dub version) – 5:26 (bonus track on cassette and CD) "When the Fingers Point" (12" remix) – 5:32 (bonus track on cassette and CD) "Why Waltz" – 4:07 (bonus track on cassette and CD) On the cassette version of the album, the 12" Dub Version of "Forgotten Town" was placed at the end of side one, after "Save a Soul in Every Town".
Personnel The Christians: Garry A. Christian – lead vocals Russell Christian – saxophone, vocals Henry Priestman – keyboards, guitar, vocals
Additional personnel: Mike Bulger – electric guitar Tony Jones – bass Paul Barlow – drums Anthony Moore – programming Produced & engineered by Laurie Latham Additional engineering by Pete Coleman, Stuart Barry Mastered by Tim Young Mix on track 4 – David Bascombe Mix on track 7 – Pete Hammond
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1987)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report) 64Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)34
Year-end charts Chart (1987)PositionUK Albums (OCC) 65
References