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HoL love u 2 much single sleeve

The House Of Love: Love You Too Much

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? by Anthony Gibbons
At the tail end of the 80s, one-time Creation favourites The House Of Love enjoyed critical, and some commercial, success for songs such as the glorious 'Christine' and the breakthrough hit 'Shine On'. However, the strained alliance of singer/songwriter Guy Chadwick & guitarist Terry Bickers didn't hold: Bickers quit in 1989 amid allegations of drug abuse and the usual 'creative differences'.

Single 'Love You Too Much' reunites the pair with Chadwick near whispering his lovelorn, Lou Reed-a-like vocals over Bickers' mesmeric guitar playing. Quite honestly, it's like nothing has changed.

Which is part of the problem: diehard fans (if there is such a thing) will revel in this but new converts may be hard to find. HoL aren't about to reshape a new musical landscape built by exciting new architects like Franz Ferdinand or The Killers.

That's not really the point though. HoL's reunion is a timely one, especially with the likes of The Wedding Present and Brett Anderson & Bernard Butler back treading the boards. 'Love You Too Much' is merely a brief 'Hello' but fine new album 'Days Run Away' will ensure the regrouping of Chadwick & Bickers won't go unnoticed.

  • The House Of Love 6 / 10
Words: Anthony Gibbons

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The House Of Love - Love You Too Much

Single is really average.
Chadwick still has a great voice.
If it's an indication of the album, Chadwick should have stay a solo artist.
lyle | 14 Feb '05, 14:24 | Send note | Report this | Reply

The House Of Love - Love You Too Much

I was never a House of Love fan. Not that I hated them or anything, but not having grown up in the UK, they never really hit my radar. I was pretty much stuck on Nirvana in the early 90s. So as such, I'm coming on board with fresh ears and I have to say - I really like this. I expected it to be really wishy washy (with a name like House of Love, and those haircuts, how could it not be?). There's so many bands out there trying to be the next Libertines or the next Franz Ferdinand. It's refreshing to hear an unadulterated, classic-sounding tune like this. I'll probably buy the album, or at least snap up some of those 12"s that are always in the indie bin at the MVE (is it just me or is the "Creation" section in 2ndhand record shops always packed full of House of Love 12's?). Anyway, I rate this.
snuffkitten | 17 Feb '05, 12:45 | Send note | Report this | Reply