Any preconceptions you may have about this album will be well and truly demolished when ‘Goodbye My Love’ echoes from your speakers – Jesus, this band can shred! With metal riffs straight outta Maiden, Lovehatehero have the knack of mixing up some very contemporary styles (TBS, Hawthorne heights) and mix them up with a more clasical influence. And while the band will certainly appeal to a mass (teenage) audience, there’s something here which will also appeal to those who like their music heavier and a little more genuine.
‘White Lies’ is steeped in pop melodies – it’s a record destined for the radio and will surely see the band launched headlong into the bigger leagues. So while tracks like ‘Amity’ and ‘I’ll Make It To Brigades’ are very impressive, they’re both singles-in-waiting and extremely likely to be played on mainstream radio and video channels alike. The vocals are strong, the melodies stronger – yet the band don’t ever come across as contrived or as though they’re appealing to a younger age group. LHH come across like a meatier and more metal Taking Back Sunday at their poppiest, which I’m sure will appeal to a lot of people.
However, there’s a heavier side to the band too. And it’s this side which makes them such an attractive prospect to me. Each song is coated in overblown, awesome metal guitar solos, which, quite frankly, is seriously lacking in the ‘scene’ right now. Then there are the naturally more aggresive tracks like ‘Of Sound And Fury’ and ‘To The End’ which, while keeping the melodies, are quicker and harder. They’ve snuck under my radar, but signed to Ferret I think there’s a very good chance we’ll be hearing a lot more of LoveHateHero in the coming weeks and months.