GOTH REVIEW - The Danse Society - Heaven Is Waiting (1984)

I wasn't wrong about having a lot to review...but I was wrong about having the free time to review albums! Blame college.

Price Paid: $3.60

What is it?
The sophomore album from British post-punkers The Danse Society. I bought it because I had no idea what it was, and boy was I in for a surprise. I still remember the day, going alone to my local Cheapo store...flipping through records...most remarkably, remembering the pleasing scent of my black skinny jeans that day. Strangest thing, I'll always associate that with this record. In any case...It's an incredible release to say the least. Apparently The Danse Society have put out several albums and even a new one this year. I'm kicking myself for not having checked out their latest right away. On the whole, it seems, they're a top-shelf goth band lost in the fog of semi-obscurity only created by time.

The Rundown:
The first few days I had this album, it must have gotten a healthy 10 plays on the ol' turntable. Maybe it's just my attraction to the style, but everything about this record is perfect. Creative, yet tasteful synthwork. Dark, brooding, yet melodic vocals. Beautiful guitar work with a plethora of different tones. Solid, confident bass playing, and satisfying drum tracks.

The record is so damned catchy to those familiar with it, but not in a "pop" way. It oozes with familiarity. I'd even go so far as to say it's like a record I heard in another life and then rediscovered in the here and now. The record's sound evokes an image of people who've seen a few things, been a few places. People that know what the dark is, yet they've a tendency towards sometimes danceable beats and fairly conventional song structure. It's a real record.

The album gets morbid with tracks like "Angel" and "Come Inside" - it's a stretch, but one could argue that it's similar to Christian Death meets The Cure. Like some electronic bands, what this record has going for it is the awareness of layering and overdubs. In any given song there are several complex parts, but they're never played all at once. It's such an expertly composed release in that way. Throughout, there's usually a sequenced synth rhythm/track in the background, keeping everything together. A perfect fusion of electronic and organic music.

Recommended Tracks:
All

Wrap-Up
If anyone asks me why I collect records, I'll always point back to this one because it's a perfect example. Going to the shop, find some obscure album, and it turns out to be the best Goth/Postpunk album I've ever heard. I can't even try to do it justice, so go have a listen. I'll be on the lookout for the rest of their albums for sure. Flawless. 10/10.