1 of 3 thought this review was well writtenBest known for the classic
Deceit, This Heat’s breakup in 1982 led to the former band members resurfacing in a variety of new projects, from Camberwell Now to Lifetones. Out of all these, bassist Gareth Williams 1985 collaboration
Flaming Tunes with vocalist/pianist Mary Currie is the most unassuming yet memorable, a collection of lo-fi, dreamlike songs with a timeless appeal.
While the arrangements are generally sparse, the fragile, plaintive mood of
Flaming Tunes is achieved using a fairly diverse array of instrumentation and sounds. One of the main highlights, “Breaststroke” utilizes a drum machine, strings and flute, “The Best Weapon” is built around a repeating acoustic guitar figure, “Raindrops From Heaven” incorporates field recordings, and Currie’s piano and keyboard are highly prominent throughout. Though nobody should approach this expecting it to sound much like William’s former band, it’s nonetheless steeped in the same kind of eccentricity and experimental philosophy that marked This Heat’s output. It all adds up to produce an odd, immersive atmosphere that reveals new details with each listen.
Flaming Tunes isn’t just a curio or footnote for This Heat fans but an excellent stand-alone release that is well worth investing some time in.
