Perfection lies within this handsome repackaging of the debut album from the House of Love. Before their career faltered exactly at the point it should have been taking off, the House of Love seemed set to be the defining British guitar band of the late 80s. The measure of their brilliance – not too strong a word – is they could slip out Shine On and 1988 John Peel Festive 50 winner Destroy the Heart as single-only releases without compromising the quality of the album at all. Thankfully, this set offers all their unimprovable recordings for Creation Records, plus the usual unnecessary rarities. Here was a band who knew just how good they were – Guy Chadwick's songwriting could border on florid, but the grandeur of the performances suits it to a tee. If you don't already own The House of Love, buy it.
Press: "Here was a band who knew just how good they were... If you don't already own The House Of Love, buy it." - Michael Hann, The Guardian, 24/11/2012
"Two super serving discs of extras include single tracks...plus fan-pleasing alternate takes and intriguing demos..." - MOJO, December 2012
"Considered by many to be the fledgling band's finest work, it has been hansomely expanded into a three-CD deluxe edition..." - Alan Jones, Music Week, November 2012
"...still sound like a band engaging into top gear and riding the crest of a wave." - Andy Peart, Vive Le Rock, Jan/Feb 2013
Disc 1: The House Of Love
1. Christine
2. Hope
3. Road
4. Sulphur
5. Man To Child
6. Salome
7. Love In A Car
8. Happy
9. Fisherman's Tale
10. Touch Me
Bonus tracks:
11. Shine On (Demo - Bonus 7”)
12. Christine (Demo - Bonus 7”)
Disc 2: Singles, B-Sides, Rarities
1. Shine On
2. Love
3. Flow
4. Real Animal
5. Plastic
6. Nothing To Me
7. The Hill
8. Loneliness Is A Gun
9. The Hedonist
10. Welt
11. Destroy The Heart
12. Blind
13. Mr. Jo
14. Destroy The Heart (Demo)
15. Shine On (Fuck Version)
16. I Don’t Know Why I Love You But I Do (Live - Previously Unissued)
17. Love In A Car (Live - Previously Unissued)
18. Destroy The Heart (Live - Previously Unissued)
19. I Wanna Be Your Dog (Live - Previously Unissued)
Disc 3: Previously Unissued Mixes & Demos
1. Shine On (Guy Chadwick Solo Demo)
2. Touch Me (Demo 1)
3. Real Animal (Demo)
4. Happy (Demo 1)
5. Hold On Me (16 Track Demo)
6. Christine (16 Track Demo)
7. Modern World (Demo)
8. Salome
9. Man To Child
10. Hope
11. Love In A Car
12. Touch Me
13. Road
14. Fisherman’s Tale
15. Happy (Demo 2)
16. Sulphur
17. Real Animal (16 Track Demo)
18. Little Girl (alias Mr Jo)
19. Shine On (Band Demo)
house of love
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