The House Of Love - The House Of Love Reissues

Renasent

What is it with The House Of Love? Why are we not running about, loudly proclaiming the genius coupling of Guy Chadwick’s songs and Terry Bicker’s guitar? Perhaps because, like many other rock’n’roll pairings, it all ended in a cloud of recriminations, mud-slinging, musical differences, and a comeback that ‘underperformed’. But what does that have to do with the legacy they left behind?

Absolutely nothing, as these timely re-issues prove. Signing to Creation records, and instantly hailed as saviours of rock’n’roll (mainly by Alan McGee), the hype was justified by the still impressive first single, ‘Shine On’. Heralded by a military drumbeat, Bicker’s guitar takes off and scrapes the very heavens themselves, then Guy Chadwick’s ominous voice and lyrics come in, hinting at some darkness just behind the surface. And so began a story of thwarted promise.

Other early singles such as ‘Christine’ and ‘Destroy The Heart’ took that blueprint in a million different directions, yet somehow failed to become the classics they were meant to be. Continuing in this vein, their early albums were packed with everything that makes British indie-rock exciting and essential, but still failed to connect with the wider public, entrenching the band’s position as music press darlings and nothing else.

Still, the momentum was enough to get the majors interested and McGee - by now acting as their manager - eventually wangled a deal with Fontana records. Another year, and a million ‘big name’ producers later, and The House Of Love returned with an album that finally scored them a fraction of the chart success they wanted and deserved. But the music scene had changed, with Madchester lording over the attentions of music fans and accusations of ‘sell-out’ hanging over their heads. McGee jumped ship, Bickers acrimoniously exited the band, and they limped on for a few more years.

But their dark, proto-shoe gazing sound still glistens and amazes, and is ripe for rediscovery. The House Of Love are, at best, a footnote in musical history, but these re-issues could change that, and inspire a whole new generation of people to pick up a guitar and reach for the stratosphere.

Words_Steven Rainey

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DOWNLOAD: ‘Shine On’, ‘Destroy The Heart’, ‘Christine’
FOR FANS OF: The Smiths, Slowdive, Ride

Issue #52 - Very Bro-some

Featuring Panama Kings, ASIWYFA, an investigation into DIY touring, details of what over 25 of the finest NI bands are up to in 2009 and much more.