★★★★☆
There’s something to be said about bands like Twin Peaks who start their career from scratch (AKA Chicago’s DIY garage scene) and work their way up the musical ranks.
A certain unbridled spirit becomes engrained in their music early on, then as they grow, so does the integrity of their work, culminating in an album like Down In Heaven.
The bangers are in large supply here, from the upbeat Americana twang of opening track and lead single ‘Walk To The One You Love’, the ultimate break-up track you never knew you needed.
Thematically, the record enters a dark realm, exploring otherworldly concepts with the album title Down In Heaven and the spectre of mortality on second single, ‘Butterfly’. (“Death was on the mind. Also sex. Also The Zombies,” says guitarist Clay Frankel – you know, the key pillars to any decent rock song.)
While their energetic tracks give the album the lively feel that would be expected from a Twin Peaks record, some of Down In Heaven’s most enjoyable moments are on the laid-back and mellower tracks like the vocally strong and insanely catchy ‘Wanted You’ and the casually cruisy ‘You Don’t’. This is a wild ride from start to finish, and being down in heaven never sounded more appealing.
