The House of Love

[Howard the Duck]

ok, here's my go at starting a new thread

i did a search on this influential but unsung English band and came up nada

sandwiched between C86 and the rise of Stone Roses, I would say that this was the first band to do the grandiloquent sepulchral towers of guitar wash that most people tend to associate other big-name bands with, such as U2

but of course, The House of Love sounds genuinely inventive, even if the lyrics are not so good and Guy Chadwick's vocals not really up to mark

mostly the brainchild of Terry Bickers (who left in 1989) and Guy Chadwick (songwriter)

i have:-



The House of Love a.k.a. Butterfly (1990)

Pretty much scintillating oscillo-rock (?) programmed for big arenas. Has a terrif gem in the Only Ones' tribute I Don't Know Why I Love You. Satisfying from start to finish, with only hiccups in the lyrics ("The Beatles and the Stones/Put the "V" in Vietnam"). 8/10



A Spy in the House of Love (also 1990)

Pure moods and atmospherics. Quite ponderous and meandering. But still good. 7/10



Audience with the Mind (1993)

The departure of Bickers deals a mighty blow. Some of the swirling psychedelia is missing. It's mostly arena rock, with too many fillers. Mediocre. 5/10

And a pic of the band:-



they reformed in 2005, but i haven't heard their new one yet

thoughts? opinions? any other fans?