London’s The House Of Love has had a strange career. It all started with hope, the singles “Shine On” and “Christine” were released on the noble indie label Creation in 1987 and 1988, which sparkled warmer than the songs of the competition because they combined a deep look into the psychedelic with pop sensibility. A first album followed, also on Creation, which made the band, led by singer Guy Chadwick and super guitarist Terry Bickers, interesting for major labels. Fontana – a key player for indie acts with commercial ambitions – was awarded the contract, invested money and waited a long time for the second album, which – rarely stupid – carried the band name like the debut: THE HOUSE OF LOVE.
Four producers got involved, the band needed leadership and almost got lost in the maelstrom of possibilities. Now this record is the starting point of the box with everything that the four Fontana years gave away. It’s surprising how well THE HOUSE OF LOVE managed despite everything. Sure, a neo-psych piece like “Hannah” threatens to drown in the reverb, but it holds its own. Like the new version of “Shine On”, the indie anthem “I Don’t Know Why I Love You” or the wise ballad about “Beatles And The Stones”.
Because the album didn’t live up to expectations commercially, the hype was over by 1992. Relieved of pressure, The House Of Love thickened their sound on BABE RAINBOW (just listen to the then-single “Feel”) before losing the thread on 1993’s AUDIENCE WITH MY MIND. The box is supplemented by three discs with archive material and two CDs with live recordings. A feast for fans that continues into September when a new album from the band follows.
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