Rocktrospectiva: The Fairly Bitter "Heart Like A Sky" Turns 35

Released on 18 September 2024, "Heart Like A Sky" was the sixth studio album by English new wave band Spandau Ballet, the lyrics were a result of Gary Kemp's new relationship, however, the band was not happy with that and Tony Hadley who had little confidence in the songs and the band direction, complained of mental health, so Kemp and his brother created a raw tension during the recording sessions, alienating some of the band member that led inot a lawsuit against him for royalties issues.

This affected seriously the development of the album on the UK charts, in spite of that, the album peaked at No. 31 during their brief three weeks there, about the singles, the album spawned four, "Raw", "Be Free With Your Love", "Empty Spaces", & "Crashed Into Love", two of them nearly reached the top 40 and the other barely making into top 100. 

So the story was this, back in October 1987, Gary Kemp reconnected with actress Sadie Frost, who appeared in the band's videos such as "Gold" and "Fight For Ourselves", this situation prompted his desire to write again a developed several songs for the next album, but the band wasn't impressed with the demo, also he wanted to use programmed drums instead the drummer John Keeble which obviously bothered him. Also the location to record was another headache, Kemp want to stay in London, but the manager of the band wanted to take them to Los Angeles in orider to reconnected with label branch in the United States, this was fantastic for Tony Hadley, because he always loved to travel oversees to record because the good results. 

Hadley started to complain about his emotional state, also has no faith in the songs, no confidence abd lack of future on the band as well, there were certain discusions between Kemp and Hadley while recording vocals on tracks "Empty Spaces" and "Windy Town". There were a lot of work, the Kemps behaved unfairly with the other three members of the band, but at the end, it was Dagger who insisted they cooperate and finish the album, at the end, the band spent £600,000 making a dire album, in terms of Tony Hadley, which means the beginning of the end. 

Even the name of the record marked distances between band members, at the end, the title was taken from a lyric included in the album, the title was described years lated by Hadley as stupid. "Raw" was the first single but even on that, the band experienced problems during a photo shoot, the oficial released of the album delayed to September 1989, but during rehearsals, the band lose control and the camaraderie had gone. 

The album had a minor echo in the UK, it peaked at No. 31 their lowest position ever, it managed No. 5 in Italy at least, but the album hasn't the same vibe, now it was safe and accessible, the single "Raw" reached No. 47, "Be Free With Your Love" peaked at No. 42, "Empty Spaces" peaked at No. 94, and finally "Crashed Into Love" peaked at No. 96.

When the "Heart Like A Sky" tour ended, the manager of the band suggested to record  a new album but the band decided to record a cover, but again, the lack of interest between band members destroyed everything, but at the end, there was never any real closure, it was just the band having their time off, even thought the royalties lawsuit that came after that, which ended in a trial in 1999, in which a judge found in favor of Kemp. 

 

Despite the lack of cohesion of the album, it is highly appreciated amongst fans, the album indeed contains certain gems such as a "Raw" & "Be Free With Your Love", it was a decent way to end their fantastic active career back then, until them re-united the band.  

Heart Like A Sky Track List: 

1. Be Free With Your Love

2. Crashed Into Love

3. Big Feeling

4. A Matter Of Time 

5. Motivator

6. Raw

7. Empty Spaces

8. Windy Town

9. A Handful Of Dust