Out of Love is a shining example of the wonders that can happen when great indie bands join forces. The album is Mister Heavenly’s debut, and its beauty lies in the unexpected. The threesome is comprised of Joe Plummer (Modest Mouse), Nick Thorburn (Islands/The Unicorns), and Ryan Kattner (Man Man), who create crooning and, at times, contradicting anthems of desire for love and solitary independence.

An interesting blend of do-wop, R&B, 1950s-esque vocals, and emotion create a quirky and intriguing atmosphere. “Bronx Sniper” is a driving rock anthem fueled by strong bass lines, hard percussion, and echoing cries of finality, and “Hold My Hand” sounds like something straight out of Buddy Holly’s playbook but with a darker edge. “Harm You” has a dark new wave sound, complete with eerie organ chords.

A highlight of the album is “Doom Wop,” a short and haunting tale of ill-fated romance. It clocks in at just over a minute and a half, and is an excellent piece of hard garage punk. The grimy texture, raw vocals, and rough edges of each instrument are enticing and downright addictive. However, the track is quickly contradicted by the softly swooning and pleasantly smooth sounds of “Your Girl.” Once again, Mister Heavenly refuses, thankfully, to let consistency become part of their album.

Out of Love is an experiment of sorts. Each track is born of a different genre of music and each of the three take turns with vocal leadership. Their vastly differing singing styles are enthralling at times.  Thornburn’s smooth voice is like a lullaby only to be shattered by Honus’s raspy and at time demon-like cries.

While the bopping piano notes, gravely vocals, and sophisticated guitar riffs are beyond enjoyable, it is the mutual passion for music and the desire to make something new that is the bread and butter of this album. Shared enthusiasm for their craft has brought together these three truly accomplished musicians and allowed them to create something that is at times obscure, at times endearing, but always impressive.

(Sub Pop Records, 2013 Fourth Ave., Third Floor, Seattle, WA 98121)