Way back in 2005 I called The Heavenly States’ second album Black Comet my 13th favorite record of that year even though it probably should have been higher. Well, the Oakland, CA band has got a new album called Delayer that despite also being an excellent album, sounds quite different than Black Comet. Where that album had a raw punkish edge to it, Delayer is a bit more polished.
The album begins with three more-upbeat and almost garagey tunes that culminate with the amazing and anthemic “Lost In The Light” before slowing down for the next four. Then The Heavenly States rework “Pretty Life” (a song that appeared on Black Comet) without it being anything nearly resembling a retread. “Never Be Alright” prominently features the violin/fiddle of Genevieve Gagon and comes as close to the rambling zydeco-infused alt-country that permeated Black Comet and that motif sorta plays out through the album’s final few tracks.
Combining elements from a wide range of styles, The Heavenly States creates their own passionate style of American rock music and Delayer is an album that (while not as instantly and immediately rewarding) as its predecessor is still anything but typical. Call it delayed gratification perhaps.
MP3 | The Heavenly States – Lost In The Light Delayer
MP3 | The Heavenly States – Pretty Life Delayer
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