[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
Delays — Nearer Than Heaven
Album: Faded Seaside Glamour
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1443









Released: 2004
Length: 3:21
Plays (last 30 days): 1
You are nearer than heaven
I get the feeling I get nearer by the day
I've seen the people go forever descending
It's when we're all inside
That summer's on the way

Bullet took it easy dollar lit the room
Monsters making the evening news
Packing up a round trip, I get in the way

Now I know that
You are nearer than heaven
I get the feeling I get nearer by the day
I've seen the people go forever descending
It's when we're all inside
That summer's on the way

We could talk forever
Nothing would get done
Stake your claim on the morning sun
I get in the way

Now I see that you are
Clearer than heaven
I get the feeling I get nearer by the day
I've seen the people go forever descending
It's when we're all inside
That summer's on the way
Yeah
Yeah
Comments (128)add comment
RIP Greg Gilbert (2021), and peace be with his family. 

A unique, soaring voice!
Perfect segue from JCY. 
Too lazy to scroll down and see if I already commented lol.  This whole album is incredible!!  Get it!!

A great Sunday afternoon, chilling, windows open album.  Peace!
masterful falsetto singing, would have been good even with a woman singing the main line but for a male falsetto voice it's amazing!
Re Long Time Coming - just searched for it in these comments below and see it was requested 17 years ago and declined :-( 

Plenty of subsequent comments suggesting it should be added - agree with the commenter who said it was his favourite from the album.
I'm almost certain that Long Time Coming from this album was on RP. But its not listed - did I imagine it?
 Jakethemuss wrote:

Lovely - a sad loss.




These words from Aaron, following Greg's death are really lovely, but very sad (get the tissues ready) -

https://twitter.com/AaronDelay...
Lovely - a sad loss.
Holy cow! Thanks for the clarification on the vocals here Bill! Somehow I like/love this song even more now!
Oh the joy of RP!!!!

Logged in to rate this - already done it

Gonna move it 8 > 9 cos I'm here now...
I started playing this tune to learn the relatively simple bass line being played on an Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray by Colin Fox and got hooked on the dreamy, heavenly falsetto vocals of Greg Gilbert.  RIP brother.

At band practice we use this tune to chill out and refocus. Good medicine for all, like a cup of chamomile tea.   
thought this might be a new Blondie song and came to the computer, to find out its not. Still liking it though.
This has such a timeless feel about it. Sort of bittersweet. 
Bumping up to an 8
Edit January 11, 2023: It's a 9 now. 
Cool song and thank you all for the diversity of many comments. In the ricocheting from page to page, I've come across this article on the lead singer which I thought was cool and perhaps worth sharing.
Thanks RP :-)
Hearing artists like Delays for the first time makes me realize how  naïve these 70 year old ears are. Thank you Bill/Rebecca/RP...
Nice pop song. And it's a guy singing!
 Imkirok wrote:

This came out way before Coldplay was around.
 
Nope, this single was released 2003.  However, it doesn't sound anything like Coldplay to me.
I also like this!
i
quite
like
this
{#Bananajam}
Hmm, 3 English pounds on Amazon, it would be rude not to. 
The first 3 songs of this album were among favorites for my long train commute to work when I lived in Tokyo. Soaring, blissful jams...
Where did THIS come from?  Gave it an 8 on first hearing, in spite of its poppyness.  Beatles-like harmony and great 12-string guitar work.
 KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:
Man, I wish they would add "Long Time Coming".

 
I really wish Bill would still.
Nice melody. Lovely voice and harmonies and jangly guitars. Wonderful production too. 
First time i do this kind of thing but...

Greg, the singer of this beautiful song, is very sick and desperately needs help.
{#Heartkiss} Please help if you can! https://www.gofundme.com/give4greg {#Heartkiss}
feckin wonderful and grand - what a voice!
 averybadcat wrote:
Renaissance meets coldplay? (Complement) 

 
This came out way before Coldplay was around.
Renaissance meets coldplay? (Complement) 
First time heard this, love it
 Cynaera wrote:
Oooo - I love this song!  Such beautiful harmonies, and a nice, easy beat.  Relaxing and perfect for this evening, with the snow falling, thick and gentle. We'll be socked in tomorrow, I think.  As long as I have RP, I don't even care! {#Sunny}
 

miss you so much, Cynaera...  love this song...
 
Still loving this song... thanks for playing it, Bill!
One of my favorite purchases of that year. What a great album!
It is called changing from your "chest" to your "head" voice.

 
greyfin10 wrote:

At least SOMETIMES he is.  He's actually noodling back and forth over the end of his range.  You can hear the sound when he switches... not sure what to CALL that sound, but its clearly audible.  All that being said, its very cool.  I hadn't heard this for a long time and couldn't remember the band's name, so thanks for playing this Bill!

Hannio wrote:



Except he doesn't sing falsetto.  That is his natural pitch.
 
 


Sounds a bit like Lush.
Something like The Dream Academy.  Same vibe.
Man, I wish they would add "Long Time Coming".
I haven't heard this song before, nor the band. Thank you, Bill, for introducing us to these folks. And, people, you might as well wonder if the lead singer is a castrati because that's as ridiculous as assuming, or even caring, whether or not an artist is gay. The wonder of music and "radio" theater is that we can paint our own pictures but let's try not to perpetuate stereotypes regardless of superfluous facts. (OK, that sounded pretty ridiculous on the face of it!). {#Rolleyes} 
 btilrn wrote:
Hmmm...click on the "artist website" link. I knew he had a high voice, but ...really, Bill?
 
Yeah, that's a weird one but I think there's another track in rotation on RP that's got a girl-like guy singing.

yeah!  love this one — thanks for playing, had not heard it in a while
weird that it's not a girl singing.....but not bad
Oooo - I love this song!  Such beautiful harmonies, and a nice, easy beat.  Relaxing and perfect for this evening, with the snow falling, thick and gentle. We'll be socked in tomorrow, I think.  As long as I have RP, I don't even care! {#Sunny}
 btilrn wrote:
Hmmm...click on the "artist website" link. I knew he had a high voice, but ...really, Bill?
 
Oupsss, thought he was a she. Was expecting a beautiful face of a beautiful girl... OUCH!

What an interesting voice.... it reminds me a bit of Marillion's Steve Hogarth.  Very nice!

Hmmm...click on the "artist website" link. I knew he had a high voice, but ...really, Bill?
Again...
I wish Rebecca would add "Long Time Coming".
Appropriate song title. He has the voice of an angel and they were deemed to be sexless.


 nagsheadlocal wrote:
One of my favorite CDs - don't know how many copies I gave away as gifts that year.
 
Can I be on your gift list? {#Mrgreen}
One of my favorite CDs - don't know how many copies I gave away as gifts that year.
That's just silly, here is the band: .....although the guy in the white scarf.... {#Think}

Band

 
a_genuine_find wrote:
tiny tim
 

 a_genuine_find wrote:
tiny tim
 
Johnny Storm's lost little brother separated at birth, "FLAME ON!!".

tiny tim
 Hannio wrote:


Except he doesn't sing falsetto.  That is his natural pitch.
 
Which is pretty damn impressive... {#Clap}
Yes, Thank you Bill. The whole album is terrific!

 
greyfin10 wrote:

At least SOMETIMES he is.  He's actually noodling back and forth over the end of his range.  You can hear the sound when he switches... not sure what to CALL that sound, but its clearly audible.  All that being said, its very cool.  I hadn't heard this for a long time and couldn't remember the band's name, so thanks for playing this Bill!

Hannio wrote:



Except he doesn't sing falsetto.  That is his natural pitch.
 
 

At least SOMETIMES he is.  He's actually noodling back and forth over the end of his range.  You can hear the sound when he switches... not sure what to CALL that sound, but its clearly audible.  All that being said, its very cool.  I hadn't heard this for a long time and couldn't remember the band's name, so thanks for playing this Bill!

Hannio wrote:



Except he doesn't sing falsetto.  That is his natural pitch.
 
He sure sounds like a girl, but I really like this song.
 AphidA wrote:
Another excellent example of the massive trend in male falsetto singers.

Ok, maybe it's not a massive trend.

 

Except he doesn't sing falsetto.  That is his natural pitch.
 mgfitz wrote:
This is a guy? Really? A return of a "Jimmy Summerville" like voice? Damn fine voice that can hit it all.
 

Yep, his name's Greg Gilbert. Fine singer.
Fantastic!
This is a guy? Really? A return of a "Jimmy Summerville" like voice? Damn fine voice that can hit it all.
 daveesh wrote:
there has to be a female guest artist singing vocals on this. i refuse to believe that's a guy singing.
 

{#Yes}{#Cheesygrin}
there has to be a female guest artist singing vocals on this. i refuse to believe that's a guy singing.
I like this music. Melodic, groovy, thumpin, pretty girl voice.
Delays are great!!! The whole album reminds of 80's indie bands especially Shelleyan Orphan.
TriskyJen wrote:
I'm enjoying this group more and more. First bought one song, then two more, and I'm now waking up singing snippets of two others I want to buy. (Should have just bought the album) Yes, I hear some eighties in there, but the guitar tweaks it away from those sounds I grew up with (was that only thirty years ago? ahem). And the vocalist goes from gritty (like gravel in his throat) to angelic. Interesting. Check out 'No Ending', and 'Wanderlust'.
I highly recommend buying this album if you like all of those songs. The songwriting quality is consistently high: IMO only "Stay Where You Are" only falls short of the usual mark due to the (over)use of some intrusive production effects. Their second album is quite different - more electronics, less guitar pop - and is a "try before you buy" item if you like this style.
Here be Greg. Yummy, yes?
Another excellent example of the massive trend in male falsetto singers. Ok, maybe it's not a massive trend.
I'm enjoying this group more and more. First bought one song, then two more, and I'm now waking up singing snippets of two others I want to buy. (Should have just bought the album) Yes, I hear some eighties in there, but the guitar tweaks it away from those sounds I grew up with (was that only thirty years ago? ahem). And the vocalist goes from gritty (like gravel in his throat) to angelic. Interesting. Check out 'No Ending', and 'Wanderlust'.
It's a dude singing?? That's HOT. I like it even MORE!
++
8 moving up>>>>>>>>>>to 9
I'm less surprised that it's a guy singing than I am by the fact the CD is from 2004. I'd have sworn it was straight from the 80s. Not that there's anything wrong with that....... No really, I'm serious.
tiddalick wrote:
What on Earth are you on about? Take your pills, dammit!...
L-O-frikin-L
Great song - Great cd!
Superb, Angelic. Musicman bass completes the euphoric mix.
Awesome RadioParadise sound!!! This is it kids........................this is Radio Paradise More more more
This is one of those wonderfully upbeat songs that can't help but put me in a great mood. Follow that up with "Just Like Heaven" or "She's So High" and I just might float off into the ether.
tiddalick wrote:
What on Earth are you on about? Take your pills, dammit! There is also nothing quite so divine as the thought of having talentless clods like the Delays lined up and shot live on national television.
What, morning TV I think would be best, about that time when you're having your morning brew of whatever! Oh, that was interesting! Now, what's for breakfast?
More of the same kind of Brit pop. The plus for this group is the male singer singing falsetto.. something that sets them apart a little bit.
BKardon wrote:
Echo and the Bunnymen - Sugar Kisses?
Yes yes yes! That's exactly what I was thinking on the Chorus.
squidish wrote:
It's a dude singing?? That's HOT. I like it even MORE!
I completely agree. I first heard The Delays singing this song on their music video, and immediately went out and bought the album. I have to say *guiltily* that this purchase was NOT all about the music...far from it... still, I do like it :P
Very refreshing after that Rufus dreck.
I don't care if it is a "Shemale" singing. I like it.
Britpop that doesn't suck. Yay. "Long Time Coming" is a favorite morning motivator song for me. I frequently play it first thing when I arrive at work.
All I know is this song irritates me about 50 times less than "Wonderlust".
veegez wrote:
I don't much care for the tone of your voice.
And there was me thinking it was the tone of his voice that was the problem.
It's a dude singing?? That's HOT. I like it even MORE!
These guys are a real sexual identity crisis for me. I mean, for FSM's sake I really thought this was a chick singing! he must have had surgery.
tiddalick wrote:
What on Earth are you on about? Take your pills, dammit! There is also nothing quite so divine as the thought of having talentless clods like the Delays lined up and shot live on national television.
I don't much care for the tone of your voice.
Adam_Clayton wrote:
Listen to LONG TIME COMING. It's a beautiful song and they are very powerfull on stage!!!!!!!
I wish Rebecca would add "Long Time Coming".
laprincessa wrote:
They are ALL guys!!
Really? Wow, that sure threw me. And I didn't really like this at first, but now . . . no, I still don't like it.
Mari wrote:
... laprincessa I do thank you for the below info. but I think there is nothing quite so divine as the male counter tenor voice range practiced for so many eons in a Male Dominant Society. There was nowhere else to source that sound except by technike,( Women were simply not allowed or even considered for the job ) just as the nose singers of the high Steppes...Facinating really? ...Technike, yea ...
What on Earth are you on about? Take your pills, dammit! There is also nothing quite so divine as the thought of having talentless clods like the Delays lined up and shot live on national television.
AphidA wrote:
This is definitely a chick ...or a eunuch.
This lot are almost as gay as Maroon 5. Almost...
laprincessa wrote:
They are ALL guys!! I think I'd be happier if they were girls, though.
Me too.. but in modern times.. girls, boys.. who cares!
Feeling...errr....conflicted.
They are ALL guys!! From AMG: Although they're quintessentially English, Southampton's Delays aren't your quintessential Brit-pop band. The darling foursome can avoid being hailed as saviors of pop music by NME simply because they lack swagger. But before the dual pair of brothers -- Greg (vocals/guitar) and Aaron Gilbert (keyboards), and Rowley (drums) and Colin Fox (bass) -- kicked against the decadent scene that ranked Oasis and Blur as supreme during the 1990s, they too were sucked in. They formed Corky and the band's acoustic pop was briefly popular in and around their local Southampton neighborhoods. By 2001, Corky had gone by the wayside and the brotherly bunch formed the Delays. Sun-soaked, '60s-tailored rock melodies developed over a few years' time. Rough Trade's Geoff Travis caught on to this while catching one of the band's private shows in 2003 and offered the band a deal. In July, the Delays' saccharine rock edge of "Hey Girl" went Top 40 in the U.K. Shows with the Thrills, Tim Burgess, and the Sleepy Jackson followed shortly thereafter, giving the Delays a sweet spot among the indie press. "Long Time Coming," the band's second single, charged the Top 20 with a number 16 chart debut in January 2004. As the band hit radio, they also readied for the release of their studio full-length debut. In spring 2004 came the release of Faded Seaside Glamour, which sounded rather like the Hollies meeting the La's for a rainy Sunday drive while picking up the Cocteau Twins' Elizabeth Fraser for tea. I love this song, but I think I'd be happier if they were girls.
For ages I've been hitting my head against the wall trying to think what that chiming guitar reminds me of... and only yesterday I realised, Chris Isaak - Wicked Game! Nice song though.
Cynaera wrote:
You know how when you hear the first few chords of a song, your ears sort of do that dog-thing and prick up to "alert" mode? Well, mine did that with this song. It's how I can tell that a song has more than a cursory offering for me. I like this one. I've never heard of the band before, of course (well, remember I live in a cow-town in the high-desert of Nevada, so we're purty durned stoopid here), but I like the vocals and the sort of asymetrical drumming pattern. It just puts me in a creative mood.
....Don't cotton much to city folk....
BKardon wrote:
Echo and the Bunnymen - Sugar Kisses?
Totally hear it
This is definitely a chick ...or a eunuch.
no way this is a guy!
BKardon wrote:
Echo and the Bunnymen - Sugar Kisses?
I was thinking more of Cocteau Twins without the flanging and reverb.
I like these "guys" (allegedly), but they win the award for most annoying website navigation ever.
I still can't believe it's a guy singing falsetto. I did a double take and had to read the AMG bio twice to make sure I wasn't missing anything. Still he (she) sounds great. I can hear a bit more of a 'male' sound to parts of 'You Wear the Sun' from the album, but not 'Nearer Than Heaven.'
You know how when you hear the first few chords of a song, your ears sort of do that dog-thing and prick up to "alert" mode? Well, mine did that with this song. It's how I can tell that a song has more than a cursory offering for me. I like this one. I've never heard of the band before, of course (well, remember I live in a cow-town in the high-desert of Nevada, so we're purty durned stoopid here), but I like the vocals and the sort of asymetrical drumming pattern. It just puts me in a creative mood.
Cruithne3753 wrote:
Nice... it's just the guitar part in the chorus keeps reminding me of something... but what?? :-k
Echo and the Bunnymen - Sugar Kisses?
Nice... it's just the guitar part in the chorus keeps reminding me of something... but what?? :-k
stevebeaver wrote:
Sounds like when Michael Steele would sing in The Bangles.
Which, of course, was a wonderful experience.
Dude? No, Dude! Wow. Excellent tune.
A beautiful song.
Absolutely love this album. I wish we could see 'em on this side of the pond. \:D/
:daisy.gif: :daisy.gif: :daisy.gif:
This song is wonderful, as is "No Ending".
I bought the CD, this is close to the best song on it. There are a couple of other good songs. There are several not so good ones also.
Boosiewolf wrote:
Yeah...what Dar said!!
I finally got around to getting this CD around Christmas. Nice. This is only one of several good songs on it.
Adam_Clayton wrote:
Listen to LONG TIME COMING. It's a beautiful song and they are very powerfull on stage!!!!!!!
i think thats the best cut off the cd.
Sounds like when Michael Steele would sing in The Bangles.
I second the comments about their live performances - saw them at Finsbury Park back in June and they're awesome!
Darlington wrote:
Never heard of this group, (just read the AMG entry) but I do like this alot. May have to check it out.
Yeah...what Dar said!!
Great sound, nice and big. Great hook. Very lifting.
I don't really like that song -- but the singer is exceptional!