Customer Reviews

Patent Pending

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Like a lot of people who are interested in this project, my main point of entry into Heaven's debut record was Alkaline Trio's Matt Skiba, one of rocks most underrated singers and lyricists. Alhtough I was a little worried when I heard the groups other half was Josiah Steinbrick, a member of F-Minus, a group I'm not fond of, I still ordered "Patent Pending" out of sheer curiousity, which works roughly half the time.
Well, I'm happy to report that this time it paid off as "Patent Pending" is a very strong album, not flawless or, too some people, something you've never heard before, but still a worthy addition to your record collection if you're a fan of Skiba, Steinbrick or their influences (more on those later).
"Patent Pending" forges the same path that many bands go with these days: post-punk new wave/ goth. But this isn't the Killers or the Bravery; Skiba, Steinbrick and their producer/ third member Ben Lovett are not into the disco side of these groups, but rather the dark, more angular and simplistic styles of Wire, Sisters of Mercy, Television and Joy Division, with more emphasis on melody than their counterparts journies of ragged rythyms and breakneck signature changes.
Almost all of the songs on "Patent Pending" are smartly lo-fi (a welcome change since even the most independent records out there now are overproduced). Guitars are plucked like basses often, the drum ryhthyms are all simple electronic programmed beats, the vocals never pushed to far into the mix. This is a smartly written and recorded record, moving along at brisk pace of forty two minutes, never out staying it's welcome.
"Heather" is an almost sweet song in it's execution, where the title track is the most driving tune on the record, the closest the record gets to the speed or sound of either members previous bands. "Leave" is a somber way to end the record, and "Missing You", the records best track, adds some Smiths-style guitar playing to the electro-heavy record, and features a truly anthemic chorus.
Skiba is in top form here, lyrically and vocally, dropping his register down a few notches to better suit the tone of the record, but Steinbrick is the star here really, who reveals himself to be an excellent songwritter and musician, never over stuffing the songs and allowing them to breathe (respect here should also go to the records producer Ben Lovett who, again, is pretty much a third member in the band, arranging the eloquently used string section and playing a litany of instruments throughout the record).
My chief flaw with this record is that if you are familiar with the groups influenced will know pretty much everything here. But that's actually gives away to one of this records most welocme surprises: unlike many groups with simiular influences, like the aforementioned Killers or Bravery, but also acts such as the truly abyssmal, it's-gotta-be-parody-right? She Wants Revenge, Skiba and Steinbrick do not merely re-write their favorite songs here but build upon the template they are working in.
"Patent Pending" isn't gonna change your life or anything. But I bet if you like dark, angular post-punk then you will enjoy this record. But if you're expecting another Alkaline Trio, or F-Minus, record here you will probably be dissapointed.

Alkaline Trio is one of my favorite contemporary rock bands (, along with Rancid and The Strokes). Though i am a happy, well-adjusted 30 year old guy, i also have a weird penchant for New Wave Goth music. So, basically, Heavens was made for me.

If you listen to Joy Division/New Order, this album will make complete sense to you immediately and you will almost certainly like it. I totally dig it. i enjoyed it from the first listen and it has hardly left my CD player since i bought it last month.

If you are a punk/emo fan who happens to like Alkaline Trio, then you might be put off by the slow pace of the songs. Also, Matt Skiba is obviously NOT the lead guitarist of Heavens, and Heavens is not nearly as hard as Alkaline Trio.

That's pretty much the story. If you don't listen to Joy Division, Siouxie and the Banshees, The Cure, Echo and the Bunnymen, or Interpol, then Heavens probably isn't for you.
If you're an adult goth (not a miserable child who wears black because the jocks and cheerleaders pick on you), then Heavens is a must have.

I initially gave this cd a 3, because after a couple listens I just wasn't that into it. I put it on my ipod and a week or so later I started liking it more and more, I wish I would have given it a 4. I would definitely recommend listening to this more than once or twice, even if you don't like it, to ensure you have noticed everything that's going on with this cd.

Matt Skiba's singing here is incredible. He has always been great with Alkaline Trio, and this album allows him to explore a less raspy, more emotional tone of voice that's reminiscent of the typical robotic 80's pop star sound, but clean and still very unique. His lyrics, as always, are sinister and poetic.

The music on the album is also amazing. It has a very dark and ominous sound and compliments Skiba's vocals perfectly. The New Order and Interpol comparisons make sense at times, but these guys definitely have their own thing going on too. It's definitely worth buying.

Seriously. This album is so nice. Its terribly hard to explain, outside of saying its dark and you can really see Matt Skiba's talent in it.

I love Matt Skiba's work. I was on youtube scouring through Alkaline Trio videos, when a suggested track "Patent Pending" by Heavens came up, I watched the video and loved the song. In turn, I bought the CD. "Patent Pending" the song, is without a doubt the highlight on this album. Heavens, the band is a vast sideways step into diversity for Matt Skiba, musically speaking. With this outfit, he handles vocals and synths and doesn't touch a guitar. His vocals are calm and controlled and it's a refreshing change from the unadulterated rawness that we've grown to know and love from Skiba in the Alkaline Trio.
This record for me, took a few listens though to get my head around that aformentioned fact. It does grow though and the album works. Songs such as "Dead End Girl" and "Heather", which actually made me laugh the first time I heard it, trying to picture what Heather Gabel would be doing while Matt is ringing her and why she won't ever answer the phone. Muscially, it's lo-fi, with hints of psychedelic electronica, though bare in production, the space works on each track. I enjoy the record, when I'm on my bike and it's early morning, I need to wake up softly and I'm feeling sombre. I guess, I can reference it to music lovers who appreciate fine records from the late 70's & 80's post punk & goth era. If you dig on Sisters Of Mercy, Joy Division and the like, I think you'll enjoy this. Heavens the band, comprises of Matt Skiba from the Alkaline Trio and Josiah Steinbrick. They seem to only have made the one record. It's worth the listen and the how ever many bucks you'd spend on this record instead of I don't know, gambling or buying beer.

Heavens is God. Straight up. im somewhat of a fan of Alkaline Trio, but im totally down for some Heavens. The songs are all like uber dark and make me want to listen to Joy Division. I would seriously buy this if i were you. i want them to make another cd already!

Matt Skiba's side project, Heavens, is good. However, for what I know Skiba is capable of, and listening to the songs, it could have been SO much better. I by no means expected another Alkaline Trio, however Heavens has so much potential to be so much more than it is. I can only hope that with time, Heavens will grow into a mature and quality sound that can proudly stand alongside Alkaline Trio.

The soft, almost harrowing sounds are something that I expected more from Dan Andriano. It's great to see Matt Skiba exploring a side of himself that he doesn't in Trio. I just think that as first albums go, Heavens is still crawling. They're not quite ready to walk yet.

Alkaline Trio is one of my favorite bands so buying this album was an easy decision to make. Not at all what I expected, it exceeded my expectations actually. Guitar riffs are haunting and Skiba's voice is beautiful and melancholic.

I haven't heard much of Alkaline Trio or F-Minus but I do like a lot of the old school goth/post punk bands so I thought I'd check this album out and it doesn't disappoint. The strongest tracks are in my opinion counting, patent pending, another night, leave, and dead end girl, in no particular order. The other songs here are all really good and listenable as well but these five are the cream of the crop in my opinion as far as showing the diversity of what this band can do. Counting is a straight up driving bleak post punk song with excellent impassioned lyrics delivered in the commanding and unembellished voice of vocalist Matt Skiba. The songs tale of a bittersweet and homicidal evening will send chills up your spine. The drum production on this song sounds exactly like Joy Division, its eerie, as though the drum beats are rising out of some inky black abyss. Dead end girl is a sweet song that is dark most of the way through but ends in a triumphantly gloomy crescendo. If leave doesn't render you tearful for no good reason then you are a corpse already, its impeccably gloomy and rhythmically gorgeous and lush. Another night sees Skiba stretching his post punk vocals to express longing and loss and the lyrics and tune make for a catchy piece altogether. The lead single, patent pending was my intro to the band and I would like to see anyone not tap their feet to this quintessential dancey angular post punk goodness. If what I wrote above sounds appealing to you and if you want to learn what real goth is, pick up patent pending.

This cd is not for those who stopped listening to Alkaline Trio after "Maybe I'll Catch Fire" because they "sold out" by writing more polished songs. It's catchy as hell even though most of the songs are mid-tempo. There are big sing-a-long choruses and a few more agressive fist-pumpers that wouldn't feel out of place on "Good Morning" or "Crimson". Expect Skiba signature clever gothic-tinged lyrics. You'll be singing on the first listen. Keyboards give the slower songs a dream-like quality.

The only reason "Patent Pending" isn't getting 5 out of 5 stars is because the lyrics and music are so simple. Some of the songs feel a little too repetitive, but this album has really grown on me. It's worth the money. Also, seeing Heavens live is an experience not to be missed!