United by a mutual appreciation for Brit-pop, New Wave, and Post-Punk, Rochester’s The Heroic Enthusiasts found a shared rhythm after individual successes as solo recording artists, producers, composers, and multi-instrumentalists. Trained in computational mathematics and mathematical statistics, respectively, Tabbi and Ferrara’s music blends the cerebral and the heartfelt.
Dipping into the rich tapestry of ’80s synthpop, The Heroic Enthusiasts didn’t just draw from the well of inspiration—they sought out the wellspring. In a harmonious echo of The Heroic Enthusiasts’ pair of lauded EPs launched last year under the banner of Meridian/ECR Music Group, the synth-pop twosome has ventured into an epoch-making collaboration with the illustrious producer Stephen Hague. This convergence has resulted in a vibrant reinterpretation of Pet Shop Boys’ anthemic lamentation of guilt: “It’s A Sin.”
The lyricism of “It’s A Sin” paints a vivid picture of an epiphany: a profound realization that one’s truth stands in sharp contrast to the rigid doctrines ingrained since childhood. Laden with a complex mix of guilt and defiance, “It’s A Sin” stands as a potent declaration of self-rediscovery, the embracing of a queer identity, and a resolute departure from dogmatic mindsets.
Tennant reveals that the creation of his lyrics was less an act of calculated artistry and more a visceral expulsion of pent-up frustrations and anger. He cautions us not to misconstrue this explosive emotional display as a somber declaration; it’s not an enduring saga written in stone but a temporary storm meant to clear the air.
“People took it really seriously; the song was written in about fifteen minutes, and was intended as a camp joke and it wasn’t something I consciously took very seriously. Sometimes I wonder if there was more to it than I thought at the time. But the local parish priest in Newcastle delivered a sermon on it, and reflected on how the Church changed from the promise of a ghastly hell to the message of love.”
In the enthralling denouement, Tennant performs a spoken word rendition of the time-honored Confiteor in its original Latin form. His recitation reverberates with a plea to the all-powerful divinity and his brethren, confessing a multitude of sins committed not just in action, but in words and thoughts as well. His admittance stresses upon the magnitude of his transgressions, punctuating each admission with ‘through my fault,’ a lyrical refrain culminating in ‘through my most grievous fault’ — a haunting echo of his own failings.
The Heroic Enthusiasts’ rendition of this anthem imbues it with their unique artistic flair, whilst honoring the spirit of the original. Striking a balance between innovation and homage, their cover continues to resonate with the defiant heart of the original, extending its message to a new generation of listeners. The prayer at the end is omitted, taking away that mea culpa and transforming the song into a reclamation of power.
“It’s A Sin” represents a momentous evolution for The Heroic Enthusiasts. With an impressive lineage, this chart-conquering hit was originally brought to life by Hague, in collaboration with Julian Mendelsohn, for the Pet Shop Boys back in the neon-lit era of 1987. By a stroke of serendipity, the seminal single recently celebrated its thirty-fifth anniversary. As we navigate the rainbow-drenched festivities of Pride Month amidst an ongoing battle for queer acceptance in the US, “It’s A Sin” resounds with a powerful relevance. This anthem remains an enduring beacon in the soundtrack of LGBTQ+ history, a poignant musical milestone that continues to echo across the decades. For a producer to have such a fortuitous bookend with one song is a delightfully unusual feat, but throughout its creation, this cooperative endeavour has been spun from threads of fortuity and destiny.
Hague himself has etched his name in the annals of music production over the past five decades, having been at the helm of projects for a constellation of revered artists such as New Order, Erasure, Peter Gabriel, Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Blur, Robert Palmer, Pretenders, and naturally, Pet Shop Boys.
“My first encounter with the The Heroic Enthusiasts’ version of ‘It’s A Sin’ was while scanning through some demos they’d sent, not paying much attention to the titles, just listening,” explains Hague. “When the track started I thought it was interesting but then as the first chorus hit I thought, ‘Wait a minute!’ Up to that point I didn’t realize what song it was—the mark of a good cover!”
The veteran producer breathed new life into his dormant Oberheim OB-Xa polysynth (the very one featured in the Pet Shop Boys’ original) and executed the identical, iconic chorus riff, layered with guitar. “I’ve always thought the best covers put a spin on an existing song while showing respect to the source,” says Hague. “This is one of those.”
It’s A Sin is out now via ECR Music Group.
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