Customer Reviews

John Peel Sessions 1988-1989

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For those of you who have never heard House Of Love, which is probably most of you, here's your chance to catch up with one of the acts that helped spawn such "genius" found in today's Radiohead, Oasis, flavours of the month...

Unfortunately, the group is long-broken up and several of HOL's albums are already out of print. This collection, however, is a good snapshot of the group's early achievements -- in a moody, heartfelt, deep and incredibly tight live (in-studio) performance. Chadwick's lyrics -- as always -- are phenominal and more introspective than anything you'll hear today.

Stop ignoring these guys. If it weren't for groups like House Of Love, Jesus & Mary Chain, Spiritualized (et al.) The Fall, etc. today's Radiohead and others would have nothing from which to steal.

Buy it.

The House of Love was one of those incredible bands that never realized their full potential. This compilation of BBC sessions are an excellent snapshot of their earlier days, when their perfectly simple pop songs had a complex side to them with the intricate underlying melodies and the uncommon lyrics.

The recording on this is also very unpolished, which is very refreshing in this day of overproduction and glitz above substance. You would nearly think you're in some large old studio with them during the live performance.

A must for old fans - don't let the fact that you've already got most of the tracks put you off buying it as the versions are very different than what you may have on the albums & singles.

The John Peel sessions were recorded in 1988 and 1989, several months before the original guitarist, Terry Bickers, left the band. This entire CD exhibits some of the most invigorating guitar work that you are likely to here. This combined with Guy Chadwick's sublime vocal style are reason enough to purchase this CD. This compilation is excellent and a very worthy addition to the House of Love collection.

Track Listings 1. destroy the heart 2. nothing to me

3. plastic 4. blind 5. the hedonist 6. don't turn blue 7. safe 8.love in a car 9. in a room 10. the beatles and the stones 11. christine 12. loneliness is a gun

As you can see there are 12 tracks in this compilation. Most of which can be found on other House of Love CD's. If you already own other House of Love albums don't allow this to deter you from purchasing this fine collection. The songs are just different enough to make them seem new and fresh all over again. From the raw style of `Destroy The Heart' to an acoustic version of `Christine', this album is incredible. If you have never before listened to The House of Love this is a pretty good place to start. There are some great songs here.

Listening to The Peel sessions makes me remember all over again what a loss it was when HOL broke up. So, until HOL re-releases their hard to find debut album with additional B-sides in 2001, The John Peel sessions will be something to listen to in a time of bland, monotonous music.