Of Skins and Heart is the debut album by the Australian psychedelic rock band The Church,[3] released in April 1981 by EMI Parlophone.

[4] It is their only album to feature Nick Ward on drums and has a harder, more new wave influenced sound than their later material, although Kilbey's semi-surreal lyrics are already present.

[8] Thanks to contacts from Kilbey & Koppes' former band Baby Grande, they sent the tape to the Australian branch of publishing company ATV Northern Songs.

[4] The second single, "The Unguarded Moment", co-written with Kilbey's girlfriend Michelle Parker, was issued alongside the album in March 1981, initially only in Australia.

Another track, "Tear It All Away", later released as a separate single, showed a development towards more elaborate guitar structures and what would become the signature Church sound.

Their image of tight jeans and paisley shirts (many designed and made by Michelle Parker),[9] as well as their 'jangly' guitar sound evoked comparisons to 1960s psychedelic groups, particularly The Byrds.

Both labels released the album in 1982, renamed as simply The Church, with slightly altered track listings including songs from Too Fast for You and using a crop of that EP's artwork for the cover.

Capitol also released an edited single version of "The Unguarded Moment" which was a minute shorter than the original – a decision which displeased the band.

[9] Cash Box magazine said "This young Australian quartet plays a sprite brand of British new pop that recalls the early days of The Kinks and The Who.

A ringing guitar sound, Ray Davies-styled vocals and some of the neatest hooks this side of Sydney make this a memorable debut release.