The Struts – Heaven’s Got Nothing on You Review

Keep an eye on The Struts. Writing that as though they have not circled the alternate rock circle for the last decade feels to be a flimsy recommendation but trust the process and take note of their spectacles. It is coming together nicely for the four-piece and latest single, Heaven’s Got Nothing on You, which pairs the glam rock juxtaposition of bigger than Christ with the cool references to being a better alternative than divine and unending life. Cast aside your grand notions and listen in to the leftovers of earlier studio work. This is surely what Heaven’s Got Nothing on You marks. The Struts offered a solid album last year, their Pretty Vicious glam rock has not been forgotten. But this piece can be left behind – the afterthought of a decent piece of work which lingers closer to Bon Jovi notions of optimism is to be buried.  

Here it is anyway – slick and disjointed guitar work which feels separate to the rest of the outfit features throughout. Percussion louder than it needs to be and a lack of confidence in the lyrical range of Luke Spiller. All of it falls to pieces and even lays on some sickly string additions. It is a complete regression of everything which made Pretty Vicious so intense and joyous. Short and brutally unformed marks a woeful moment for The Struts, a rare one at that. Heaven’s Got Nothing on You feels faded out and reminiscent of filler rock pop. Chris Cornell weeps for the vocal range and lack of specifics. Heaven may have nothing on you but nor does hell and that does not seem like a particularly enjoyable place, nor does Rotherham or the aisles of Primark.  

Whatever the case, The Struts have their pulse on something fading fast and instead of deploying the defibrillators of buzzing sound or energetic form, they muddle on with no action taken. In turn, it reduces the buzz surrounding Pretty Vicious. A wet blanket thrown onto a fire barely kindled. The Struts had it all at their feet but as the smoke billowed up into their noses, the coughs and wheezes began and out Heaven’s Got Nothing on You is vomited. Clunky work which at best feels fine. Utterly, utterly fine. Nothing wrong with it, not a toe out of line. But it is this safety which sinks the track. Thankfully it was abandoned by the band for the Pretty Vicious release, but the overly sentimental love found at its core sounds as cheap and unsure of itself. 

You can be assured by The Struts though for their work elsewhere is in good form. It is this mix-up, we can put down to the hangups of success on their previous work and a desperate attempt to assure audiences more is coming, and quick, which sinks their work. Heaven’s Got Nothing on You is toe-tapping familiarity from a band that strives to be different. Harmless is worse than poor. The Struts have the former on their hands with Heaven’s Got Nothing on You. A slight smile and a shrug of the shoulders from those who hear this one. What else can come of a vocalist mixing up dreams and fantasies and being referred to as “daddy”? In civilised times, this is just poor form. The Struts miss the mark – a rare moment for a band still racing through the Pretty Vicious highs.