This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Fiction Factory's "(Feels Like) Heaven"
Tuesday June 10, 2008
This largely unknown British band belatedly perfected a distinctly post-new wave yet still unabashedly New Romantic sound on this criminally underrated track from 1984. Lead singer Kevin Patterson provides the most compelling fresh ingredient in his soulful, brooding vocals, especially in the verse parts when his deep, rich voice paints a lustrous portrait of heartbreak and despair. However, the band itself strikes a rather singular balance between the nearly keyboard-exclusive sound of the original New Romantics and the fuller rock sound generally exemplified by the best new wave. But all of that is actually quite secondary to the essential, sturdy quality of this tune, built on a gorgeous, deliberate melody and the right mix of taciturn yet clearly passionate lyrics.
These kinds of discoveries and revived classics from all genres and periods of the '80s basically make life worth living, if you don't mind my waxing a bit philosophical about it. And maybe I won't sound too corny if I say that listening to this song is a downright Elysian as well as strongly celestial experience. You know, like the tea.
Comments
Back in the day (the early mid-80’s) a perfect mixed tape I played non stop in my boom box included Fiction Factory’s unique song “Feel’s Like Heaven”. Also included were Peter Godwin’s “Images of Heaven” (I saw the 12″ single for sale in a specialty record store for over $100), B-Movie’s “Nowhere Girl” (a rare 12″), Alphaville’s song titled “Big In Japan”, and New Order’s “Theives Like Us”.
During those days my favorite band was A Flock of Seagulls, but I also listened to Brian Ferry’s album titled “Boys and Girls”, and anything from Orchestral Manoeuvers in the Dark, and Depeche Mode.
Later,
Charles
I discovered “(Feels Like) Heaven” on an import ’80s compilation. The song did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. but was a hit overseas. In the U.K. the single reached #6, for example. It also climbed to #1 in Switzerland. The song makes regular appearances on ’80s collections in Europe and can be found a number of import collections. Too bad it never gets any airplay in the States. It’s a great track and one of my favorites of the decade.