I definitely need to return to this one a few times, but my soft spot for understated indie folk and naturalistic storytelling in lyrics give this an automatic 80+

Heaven or Las Vegas taught me a very important lesson. In music, what's being said doesn't matter. What matters is the feeling behind those words. And gosh darn it if Elizabeth Fraser doesn't have feeling.
That being said, Heaven is the warmest-coolest album I have ever heard. The vibes are good, my friend. Like a warm blanket for my ears! That sounds stupid. But I can't describe it! It's cozy, but spacious. Fuzzy, but sleek. Personal, but universal.

I don't really know how else I can ... read more

This album reminded me of why I love Frances Quinlan's songwriting. Their solo outing proves that their music, voice, and storytelling can hold its own alongside the stellar work of Hop Along. As a solo artist, Quinlan's unique voice and perspective gets placed front and center, and they shine here. I do slightly miss the pop sensibility held by full Hop Along records, but Quinlan's stories are so compelling that you don't need full indie-pop-rock bombast to stay engaged with this record.
It's ... read more

I can see why it's considered a masterpiece. However, the second half of the album starts to blend together, and after track 9 or so is when I began to find difficulty in giving it my full attention. Still definitely worth listening to, and "Teen Age Riot" is such an incredible and iconic track that listening to that is worth the whole rest of your hour, regardless of how you feel for the other songs.