Love And Rockets - Seventh Dream Of Teenage Heaven

Love And Rockets is as different from Bauhaus as night is from day, but since all three members of the band had been in both groups, it was inevitable that they would be thought of as “gothic” before anyone heard the music, which could be called new wave, but is really so much more than that narrow definition. Love And Rockets had a very big psychedelic sixties influence musically while the lyrics had an eastern philosophical/spiritual outlook to them. They weren’t writing silly love songs or about getting laid on the road but were touching on themes about the human condition that had some meaning to them.

Seventh Dream Of Teenage Heaven is the debut album by the band and the first of three records they made in a row that are some of the best stuff to come out of the 80’s in my opinion. Their songs are very well written, melodic and simple in structure but heavy on impact. Extremely well produced by the group and John A. Rivers in an ultra widescreen style with masses of overdubbed vocals, guitars, keyboards and huge sounding drums on many of the songs. They definitely used the studio as an instrument during the process of making the record.

If There’s A Heaven Above is full of keyboards, synthesizers and sound effects, over a simple drum pattern with stinging guitar fills that scream in and out of the song..."throw the world off your shoulders tonight Mr. Smith". While there isn't a song on this record I don't like my absolute favorite is A Private Future which sounds like two songs melded into one, because it is and they work so well together and build to a fantastic finish. I just love the lyrics to this one ...."live a life you love, use a god you trust and don't take it all to seriously". Both David J and Daniel Ash's lyrics are really good and as anyone who listens to the radio knows most people can't seem to do that very well.

Buy it here.