Wednesday, July 10, 2013

NEW WAVE: THE RETURN OF THE HOUSE OF LOVE - SHE PAINTS WORDS IN RED.

             
Original Line-up: (Lower Left, Clockwise) Terry Bickers, Chris Groothuizen,Guy Chadwick, Pete Evans  & Andrea Heukamp

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

               This album by The House of Love, She Paints Words In Red, released last April  2013 is my latest acquisition. This is the 6th studio album for this highly-regarded but less-recognized Guy Chadwick-led English alternative band who rose to prominence in 1988 and disbanded in 1993. This comes   eight long years after the reunited original members Guy Chadwick, Terry Bickers and Pete Evans  along with Matt Jury made their comeback studio album, Days Run Away in 2005.

            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:
1.       A Baby Got Back On Its Feet*
2.       Hemingway*
3.       She Paints Words In Red
4.       PKR*
5.       Lost in the Blues
6.       Low Black Clouds
7.       Money Man*
8.       Trouble In Mind*
9.       Never Again
10.   Sunshine Out Of The Rain*
11.   Holy River*
12.   Eye Dream

*my favorite tracks

The House of Love are:
Terry Bickers - Lead guitar
Guy Chadwick -Vocals, Guitars
Matt Jury - Bass
Pete Evans -Drums

         
                                   *************************************

             

               Among my favorites, the first tract and single “A Baby Got Back On Its Feet” sets the mood as it begins with the familiar House of Love  ringing and galloping guitars, coming with a seeming sense of urgency before Guy Chadwick’s restrained and gentle voice calms the tempo.

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






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