Heavenly's last album (drummer Matt Fletcher committed suicide shortly before its release) finds them working with a more rock-oriented sound that hasn't been heard since the mid-'80s, when its key members were in "shambling" pioneers
Talulah Gosh. While
Operation Heavenly may not impress those who aren't already indie-pop fans, it still stands as a solid conclusion to a great career; bouncy gems like "Ben Sherman," "Fat Lenny," and a cover of
Serge Gainsbourg's "Nous Ne Somme Pas Des Anges" combine new wave lightheartedness, a hint of edgy indie-rock, and
Heavenly's knack for writing sweet and perfect melodies. The band might have been moving away from the cloying cuteness of their previous albums, but they retained their energy and their unparalleled skill at writing catchy, ironic pop songs.