What makes Deceit by This Heat notable?

The album received critical acclaim upon release, noted for its innovative approach to punk and experimental music. It has since been recognized as a significant influence on various genres, including post-punk and noise rock, shaping the direction of underground music in the early '80s. Deceit is This Heat's second album, released in 1981 following their self-titled debut. At this point in their career, the band was establishing themselves as pioneers of avant-garde punk, exploring complex structures and unconventional sounds that would influence the post-punk movement.

How many songs are on Deceit?

Deceit has 11 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

Deceit

This Heat · 1981

40 min · 11 tracks · punk rock

Experimental punk textures intertwine with dissonant rhythms and layered vocals, creating a chaotic yet compelling soundscape.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Paper Hats — This track exemplifies the band's signature blend of rhythmic complexity and abstract lyrics, showcasing their experimental approach to songwriting.
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Cenotaph — With its haunting atmosphere and intricate layering, this song captures the thematic depth of the album while pushing sonic boundaries.
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S.P.Q.R. — The track stands out for its rhythmic experimentation and incorporation of diverse influences, reflecting the band's willingness to defy conventional genre boundaries.
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Hi Baku Shyo (Suffer Bomb Disease) — This closing track encapsulates the album's themes of societal critique through its aggressive soundscape and thought-provoking lyrics.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

66 /100

Alpine

Higher than 89% of albums we've rated

The album's complex structures and layered textures mark it as a distinctive entry in the punk genre.

What we noticed

The album features abrupt shifts in tempo and dynamics, with tracks often transitioning from chaotic noise to quiet introspection.
Layered vocals create a dense texture, with multiple voices overlapping rather than taking turns as lead.
Several tracks incorporate unconventional song structures, eschewing traditional verse-chorus formats in favor of more experimental arrangements.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 9/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Sleep 2:14
2 Paper Hats 6:02
3 Triumph 2:55
4 S.P.Q.R. 3:28
5 Cenotaph 4:39
6 Shrink Wrap 1:40
7 Radio Prague 2:21
8 Makeshift Swahili 4:04
9 Independence 3:42
10 A New Kind of Water 4:57
11 Hi Baku Shyo (Suffer Bomb Disease) 4:03

What to play next

Listen next

[untitled]

1982

Go back to

This Heat

1979

Full This Heat discography Artists like This Heat

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata