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| Original Line-up: (Lower Left, Clockwise) Terry Bickers, Chris Groothuizen,Guy Chadwick, Pete Evans & Andrea Heukamp |
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| Classic Line-up: (L-R)Chris Groothuizen, Pete Evans, Terry Bickers & Guy Chadwick |
We have a saying that sometimes “when it
rains, it pours.” At this point of the year it has been pouring with great record
releases from ‘80s New Wave and related contemporary alternative/indie bands and artists. Among my favorites
who have released a new album this year are: New Order, OMD, Depeche Mode, Ocean Blue, Johnny Hates Jazz and The House of Love. Add to these
are the good news that Echo & The Bunnymen is set to release a new album
this year and Tears for Fears recent announcement of a possible new
studio album.
Cd: She Paints Words In Red - Nice artwork
As always, quality materials and packaging from Cherry Red Records
Generally, it has gotten rave reviews and went to number 2 in
record sales of indie Cherry Red Records. The reason, simply stated is, this is such a brilliant album. If OMD’s English
Electric blew me away, this I would say swept me like a storm….
Whereas you wont find any HOL classics such as “Christine,” “Destroy the
Heart” and “I Don’t Know Why I Love You” type of songs here , this is as HOL as it can get. The
ringing, needling and swirling atmospheric guitars, angst, quirky lyrics, lushness, as well as the back-up
vocals of original female member Andrea Heukamp amongst others are all present
here; however, compared with their other albums, this one is filled
to the brim with nice melodies (their most melodic), catchy hooks and memorable lyrics.
It is about three
quarters gorgeously mellow, with the muscle mainly provided by the two outstanding and vintage HOL-sounding tracks , “PKR” (Purple Killer Rose) and “Money Man.” These
two aforementioned tracks are a sure delight to the old HOL fans. "PKR" actually traces its origins in the 80's. If
I may quote Allmusic’s Stephen Thomas Erlewine who I think said it best in his review: “They’ve strengthened
as they’ve mellowed a seeming contradiction that’s never confused because both
the tunes and the performance are sturdy.”
To say that there is no bad track here is an
understatement as every song is a joyous and pleasurable listen. A precious gift to the faithful , this is highly
recommended to casual fans and coupled with their 'best of' compilation or one
of their classics (like Butterfly Album), may also be a good starting point for the uninitiated.
Track list:
*my favorite tracks
The House of Love are:
Terry Bickers - Lead guitar
Guy Chadwick -Vocals, Guitars
Matt Jury - Bass
Pete Evans -Drums
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| Cd: She Paints Words In Red - Nice artwork |
 |
| As always, quality materials and packaging from Cherry Red Records |
*my favorite tracks
The House of Love are:
Terry Bickers - Lead guitar
Guy Chadwick -Vocals, Guitars
Matt Jury - Bass
Pete Evans -Drums
| ************************************* |
Nice guitar solo by Terry Bickers!
My top favorite track , “Hemingway”
is very interesting because it is set in
a tune that is so bright and sweet it could easily be mistaken for a Simon and Garfunkel song but the subject matter tackled is
serious. A seemingly exasperated Chadwick sings , “the world looks down upon my
shoulders creaking with the weight of it all”; “I feel like Hemingway (reference to the famous author who committed suicide) and I’ve got a gun, I’m
gonna shoot someone just for fun”; but
as if to say 'what the heck'-- he counters negativity with positivity-- “it’s time
to laugh inside, It’s time my love to get a life"; and just as everything seems alright, he vacillates, "but I still feel like Hemingway and I'm drinking this rum, and the evening had just
begun.” The way I interpret this song is Guy Chadwick seems to be reminiscing about difficult times. Now that it’s past him, he is amuse thinking about it...
Hemingway
