Heavens - Patent Pending

  by Adrian Huggins

published: 19 / 7 / 2006

Label: Select Label
Format: CD

intro

Surprising Joy Division-inspired debut album from Heavens, the collaboration of Alkaline Trio frontman Matt Skiba and F-Minus guitarirst Joe Steinbrick

This debut album comes from Alkaline Trio frontman Matt Skiba who has teamed up with friend, musician and ex-house mate Joe Steinbrick from the band F-Minus. The pair used to live together in L.A., a few years ago, after both moving there due to their respective bands needing to be near the hub of entertainment, which is the City of Angels. This is not an album, however, which paints pictures of Sunset Boulevard, strip clubs, beaches and Motley Crue. It has far more in common with the grey skies of Manchester circa 1980 and Joy Division. This is very much an electro almost new wave sounding album. It is obviously a bit of an outlet for both musicians and came together with Skiba putting lyrics to Steinbrick's music. The album does have something of the Alkaline Trio with the grim imagery of 'Gardens', 'Counting' and 'Dead End Girl' but at the same time is quite a departure from the ‘Trio, with its lack of guitar work and its much more mellow tempo. There are some fantastic tunes that really stand out and show what these two are capable of, particularly 'Annabelle' and 'Another Night'. These serve to show how the two have talent and vision beyond their “day jobs”. It will be interesting to see to what extent Heavens remains a side project, and to see it come together live with a different musical vibe. If you like you music heavily influenced by the darker side of life, and are of course partial to the likes of Depeche Mode and Joy Division then this could just be the album for you.

Track Listing:-