Rocktrospectiva: The Rare And Timeless "Heyday" Turns 40

Released on 8 November 1985 "Heyday" was the 4th., studio album by the Australian alternative rock band The Church. This album was their first chart entry in the United States, cresting at #148 and spawned four singles "Already Yesterday", "Tantalized", "Columbus" & "Disenchanted". 

 

The album not changed anything in the basic Church sound but presenting both a brilliant slew of songs and some fantastic performances, the quartet created a flat-out fantastic record. The first side alone almost reads like a greatest-hits collection, with one highlight following hard on the other. "Myrrh," leading things off with a careful build up to the main part of the song much like "When You Were Mine," has a strange chorus that almost shouldn't work but does. It's only two lines long and sung in harmony by the full band, all while Willson-Piper and Koppes' guitars keep things moving.  Other remarkable tunes were "Tristesse" which began with a playful guitar line before shifting into another mid-paced, just dreamy enough effort. "Already Yesterday," had a fine, low-key backing choir, the dramatic "Columbus" and the gentle, string-touched instrumental "Happy Hunting Ground" continued the mood, one lovely moment after another. 

The second side started with the barnstormer, "Tantalized," considered the band's most aggressive and upfront song since its earliest days. With horns and bells adding to the rushed feel, Kilbey delivers quickly sung verses and staccato choruses, the music continued to soar along as Willson-Piper and Koppes turned in brilliant guitar work. Then the horn and string orchestrations on songs like the wistful "Youth Worshipper" and "Night of Light," that made of Heyday a total success at the time.

Steve's singing was now much more relaxed and warm, and he possessed a wider, more dynamic range. For years, critics had pointed to Steve's sometimes dour voice as the Church's weak point. Suddenly, during these new recording sessions, his distinctive vocals became one of the band's greatest strengths – its signature, in fact. In addition to singing all the leads, Steve also tracked multiple harmony parts for each song, sometimes singing an entire octave higher than his normal register.

Although most of the keyboards utilised on previous recordings had been stripped back, the album saw a greater amount of embellishment with the addition of strings and brass. While at the time Heyday featured more focus on the guitar interplay and the solos had been cut to a bare minimum. The album rwas egularly listed amongst the fan base's favourites. 

 

Heyday Track List: 

 

1. Myrrh

2. Tristesse

3. Already Yesterday

4. Columbus

5. Happy Hunting Ground

6. As You Will

7. Tantalized

8. Disenchanted

9. Night Of Lights

10. Youth Worshipper

11. Roman

12. The View

13. Trace Ending