HIM has a special place in my heart. The captivating spirit of their undeniable talent in creating compelling songs about love is unmatched in my book. Love has a dark side that contains agony and misery, and while mainstream music's efforts to reflect this often become cheesy and unconvincing, Ville Vallo and the boys do it so well that you really feel the Razorblade Romance in your veins. Speaking of "Razorblade Romance," which might be the band's most popular and familiar record, there's a before, and that before is Lovesongs.
While the band approached a more polished and rock-based sound with their sophomore album, Lovesongs was heavy. I mean heavy in every way—emotionally and musically. Lovesongs is a guitar and vocal-driven record. Despite the band's limited prior studio experience, they managed to create a captivating sound with Lovesongs. The distorted and muddy guitar tone you hear throughout the record, especially on Our Diabolikal Rapture and It's All Tears (Drown In This Love), sets the tone for a gothic and emotionally gripping environment. And Vallo's vocals here are in their rawest and most emotional form. His vocal abilities are undeniable, and with every record the band has created, he introduces us to a different side of him (no pun intended). While we're witnessing his soothing voice caressing our ears, we also experience his insane vocal ranges.
While the upbeat songs are a minority here—so rare that we can even refer to them as 'moments'—Lovesongs was and still, after eight studio albums, holds the crown for being the band's most depressed and sad statement. Songs like When Love and Death Embrace still captivate HIM's most heartfelt and sincere moments. While they tried to capture the same spirit that made them who they are with their last studio record Tears on Tape, the core elements of Lovesongs were absent. The reason is that while the individual performances and their signature sound bring some of the elements that made Lovesongs what it is, the album's pure strength lies in its wholesome atmosphere. Even with the two cover songs, which are critically acclaimed for the band's brilliant performances, the atmosphere feels cohesive. They also re-recorded Chris Isaak's Wicked Game for their sophomore record Razorblade Romance.
While Lovesongs resonates with HIM's spirit excellently, it's far from their beloved sound. They were trying to figure out how they should sound and reflect their emotions and creativity. Still, Lovesongs remains a favorite among so many loyal fans. While this is far from my favorite record by our beloved passionate lovers, I keep finding myself returning to this raw emotional display. This is a clear milestone for HIM and gothic music in general. A pure success in 49 minutes.
Highlights (covers not ıncluded):
Our Diabolikal Rapture
It's All Tears (Drown in This Love)
When Love and Death Embrace
The Beginning of the End
Rating: 8.0 / 10
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