Penthouse & Pavement
Penthouse and Pavement is the debut album by the group Heaven 17 and considered one of the first concept albums of the 1980s.
The first single, (We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang, best demonstrates the left-wing outlook of the lyrics, criticising Britain at the beginning of the 1980s under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and the rise of the Yuppie. Other themes explored include nuclear war, religious extremism and American influence in the world.
Unlike the seemingly 'cold' music of other electronic bands, Heaven 17 drew on R&B and funk to create pop-friendly, danceable hooks. Whilst the singles charted poorly, the album charted at No. 14 and remained in the Top 75 for 76 weeks. It was certified Gold (100,000 copies) by the BPI in October 1982.
This album is featured in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
