Description
The Heavy – The House That Dirt Built – Vinyl Record
The House That Dirt Built is the second studio album by British rock band The Heavy, released on October 13, 2009. Known for their gritty blend of rock, funk, soul, and blues, The Heavy delivers a powerful and genre-bending sound on this album. With influences ranging from James Brown and Otis Redding to garage rock and punk, the band brings an infectious energy that resonates throughout the album. The record is characterized by its raw production, heavy guitar riffs, punchy brass sections, and the distinctive, raspy vocals of lead singer Kelvin Swaby.
Following the release of their debut album, Great Vengeance and Furious Fire (2007), The Heavy gained attention for their innovative fusion of genres and high-energy sound. The House That Dirt Built builds on this momentum, capturing a mix of vintage soul and modern rock, combined with a bluesy edge that makes it both nostalgic and fresh. Produced by Jim Abbiss, who also worked with artists like Arctic Monkeys and Adele, the album has a retro sound but feels decidedly contemporary, embracing both raw instrumentation and a cinematic feel.
Key Tracks
‘Oh No! Not You Again!!’ – The album opens with this intense, funk-infused track. It combines hard-hitting drums, gritty guitars, and Swaby’s powerful vocals, setting the tone for the album’s high-energy, rock-soul vibe.
‘How You Like Me Now?’ – Perhaps the band’s most famous song, this track combines a funky bassline with brassy horn sections, giving it an infectious, danceable groove. The track has been widely featured in films, commercials, and TV shows, cementing it as an anthem of modern funk-rock.
‘Sixteen’ – With its bluesy riffs and dark lyrics, ‘Sixteen’ has a haunting quality. The song tells a twisted love story, blending rock, blues, and Swaby’s soulful, gritty voice in a memorable way.
‘Short Change Hero’ – One of the standout tracks, this song is slower and more atmospheric, with a Western, almost cinematic feel. The track’s lyrics explore themes of struggle and redemption, and it has been widely used in video games, movies, and TV series, adding to its iconic status.
‘No Time’ – A fast-paced, punk-rock-inspired track, “No Time” adds a sense of urgency to the album with aggressive guitar riffs and a driving beat. Swaby’s raw vocals here emphasize the energy and defiance that runs throughout the record.
‘Long Way from Home’ – With bluesy, folk-inspired guitar picking, this track takes on a more introspective tone. Its lyrics and stripped-down sound provide a moment of reflection, contrasting with the album’s more intense moments.
‘Cause for Alarm’ – This track brings back the brass-heavy, high-energy feel, mixing elements of ska and rock for a powerful, danceable sound. It captures the band’s ability to create lively, genre-blending tracks.
‘Love Like That’ – A soulful, funky track with a catchy chorus, ‘Love Like That’ adds a more melodic and playful tone to the album, showcasing the band’s diverse influences.
‘What You Want Me to Do?’ – A gritty, blues-inspired song, this track brings back the raw rock energy and emotional depth that the band is known for, serving as a strong closer to the album.
The House That Dirt Built explores themes of love, loss, rebellion, and resilience. The lyrics often draw on blues and soul traditions, with stories of heartbreak, struggle, and empowerment. Musically, the album combines heavy, distorted guitars, funky basslines, and brass sections, resulting in a sound that is as soulful as it is hard-hitting. Abbiss’s production brings out the rough edges of The Heavy’s sound, enhancing its raw and vintage feel, while still sounding crisp and powerful.
The album was well-received by critics, with many praising The Heavy’s fusion of genres and Swaby’s standout vocals. The House That Dirt Built helped propel The Heavy to international recognition, particularly with the success of ‘How You Like Me Now?’, which became a defining song for the band. The track’s infectious groove and widespread use in media solidified the album’s place in modern rock and soul.
The House That Dirt Built has become a cult favorite, celebrated for its blend of genres and its ability to capture the energy of classic soul and rock with a modern twist. Songs like ‘Short Change Hero’ and ‘Sixteen’ have remained popular, finding continued use in various forms of media and introducing new listeners to the band’s unique sound.
The House That Dirt Built stands as a unique and influential album that helped pave the way for genre-blending in modern rock and soul. With its raw energy, eclectic influences, and memorable tracks, the album has solidified The Heavy’s place as a band that challenges genre boundaries while honoring the spirit of classic soul and rock. It remains an essential listen for fans of genre-defying music with a retro-modern feel.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Oh No ! Not You Again !!
How You Like Me Now?
Sixteen
Short Change Hero
No Time
Long Way From Home
Cause For Alarm
Love Like That
What You Want Me To Do?
Stuck
