The House Of Love

About

Unofficially known as "The Butterfly Album" (due to its cover) or "Fontana" (due to the label that originally released it), this second self-titled album from Britain's House of Love perfectly captures the alternative-pop world in 1990. (The band actually had a third self-titled set, a collection of early singles now titled <i>The German Album</i>.) Here, a sense of The Smiths' melodicism is matched with an atmospheric production that hints at the emerging Madchester scene, with songs that are as exciting and emotionally palpable as the first self-titled album. A re-recording of the band's single "Shine On" kicks with stronger urgency. "I Don't Know Why I Love You" spins like a sparkling hit single that would've been the band's arena anthem in the U.S. had its commercial fortunes matched its artistic achievements. "Never" starts with congas reminiscent of "Sympathy for the Devil" before chugging on like a song Lloyd Cole dreamed up one night. Leader Guy Chadwick outdoes himself on the forlorn "Someone's Got to Love You," where the acoustic guitar bounces off the night sky before mild psychedelic electric guitars fill out the rest of the sound. "Blind" casts a similarly bittersweet aura.

via Apple Music

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