The House Of Love ‎– The House Of Love VG+/VG+

The House of Love’s self-titled debut, released in 1988, was a splash of sound that landed right in the midst of the burgeoning shoegaze movement. While it shared some of the movement’s love for swirling, distorted guitars, The House of Love offered a more melodic twist. Tracks like “Shine On” and “Christine” echoed the jangly guitars and introspective lyrics of British new wave bands like Echo & the Bunnymen, but with a heavier, fuzzier edge. The album wasn’t afraid to delve into dreamier soundscapes as well, with songs like “The Hill” featuring breathy vocals and swirling guitars that hinted at the psychedelic influences that would become more prominent in later shoegaze. Overall, The House of Love’s debut was a fresh take on alternative rock, one that balanced melody and noise, creating a sound that both felt new and drew on classic British guitar rock traditions.