This Heat
"Deceit" (reissue)
(These Records)

Arguably one of the most important-yet-underappreciated bands of the late 70s was the UK's This Heat, a band noted as a primary influence on New Zealand noise band the Dead C., and countless other tape manipulators and noise worshippers (the entire Chicago post-rock scene, for example). Their finest moment was 1981's "Deceit", and for the first time in quite awhile, this essential record is available again and remastered by original members Charles Hayward and Charles Bullen.

The album begins with the sullen vocal layerings of "Sleep", a post-prog lullaby with Indian percussion. This Heat's masterful use of dynamics is demonstrated beautifully as the record shifts from "Sleep" to "Paper Hats", a song which encapsulates nervousness and paranoia perfectly before exploding into a magnificent, thunderous release powered by the untamed percussion of Charles Hayward and a sprawling layer of atmospheric noise.

While This Heat were so clearly ahead of their time, they made it an issue to use history as a centerpiece for many of their sonic explorations. "Independence" is a cover of the Declaration of Independence, subject to interpretation by both the band and the listener. "Makeshift Swahili" provides the perfect companion to that piece, as a discussion of the maltreatment of Native Americans by the U.S. government. This tune once again demonstrates This Heat's ability to mesmerize and then erupt into waves of noise.

Although I once heard This Heat described as being "Krautrock + Prog rock" there is no formula which can accurately represent the thought processes that went into their music. Finally available at an affordable price, "Deceit" should be sought after by any forward thinking music fan who wants to find the quickest route between 70's Germany and present-day Chicago.

-Karthik