What’s the most appropriate answer to the question ‘Where should an old band go to die?’
Driven on by Terry Bicker’s chiming guitar, The House of Love were at their commercial zenith at the beginning of the 90’s in the space between Baggy and Britpop, until his departure and waning success meant them suffering a bitter implosion.
His relationship with singer Guy Chadwick eventually thawed such that a reunion helped to forge two more long players in 2005’s Days Run Away and 2013’s She Paints Words in Red, but notably he was no longer in the tent for State of Grace, Chadwick relying now on a completely new line up.
No longer burdened with expectations, on it he seems to be enjoying the fresh creative latitude that brings, the rasping blues stomp of Clouds recalling John Squire’s turn on Love Spreads, whilst Melody Rose and Sweet Water are pleasant digs into a newly found groove. This leaves less room for the band’s past though – and anyone expecting the high grade indie pop of Shine On or Christine has to make do with Dice Are Rolling’s slightly pale facsimilie.
Where do old bands go to die? On State of Grace‘s evidence, wherever the hell they like.
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The Voice Of Unreason 