Disco de HIM: “Deep Shadows & Brilliant Highlights”

I'd like to start by stating that unlike most reviewers (or so it seems), i only give an album 5 stars if i find it to be completely outstanding and deserving of five stars. So when i give this album five stars... trust me, in my opinion, it deserves it

1. Salt In Our Wounds - 4/5 - This song definately does a great job at setting the tone for the rest of the album. The verses of the song are rather somber and laid back, but then it breaks into the chorus which is very melodic and much heavier. Sounds very much like an old 80's goth/rock love song. Reminds me alot of the cure.

2. Heartache Every Moment - 3/5 - I give this a 3 out of 5 simply because it's not bad, but it's not great. It's simply a good song. I definately like the verses in this song more than the chorus. The chorus kind of gets old very quickly, but the lyrics to the whole song are great. One of the more heavy songs on the album, though it has a touch of popness to it because of the bells being played in the backround.

3. Lose You Tonight - 3/5 - At first i probably would've given this song a 2 out of 5, but it is one of those songs that really grows on you. However, i'm beginning to go back to being sick of this song. The chorus is decent, but the song lacks the beauty and the energy of all the other songs on the album.

4. In Joy and Sorrow - 5/5 - What more can i say? This is my favorite song off of my favorite album done by my favorite (or atleast tied with favorite :P ) band. So basically it represents everything i like in music. It starts out by going into the lyrics almost right away, with no musical entrance or anything of the sort. As is the case with many HIM songs, the chorus is what makes this song what it is. The chorus is the most beautiful thing i've ever heard in my life, and has such an amazing blend of different sounds coming from the keyboard, guitar, and other beautiful instruments. Just an amazing song.

5. Pretending - 5/5 - Like "Lose You Tonight", this song grows on you, only at a quicker rate. The lyrics are fantastic, and the energy of the song is very uplifting. It seems to be uplifting and energetic while still containing HIM's goth rock qualities.

6. Close to the Flame - 4/5 - Unlike most HIM songs, this song didn't grow on me, in fact, it did the exact opposite. However, it's still an enjoyable song. Though it's not as pretty as other mellow songs done by HIM, it has it's beauty to it, and the keyboards and violin in the backround add a nice touch to it.

7. You Are The One - 5/5 - For some reason this song seems to get the least amount of attention from the media and fans, and i'm not quite sure why. The song flows very smoothly, and for some reason is ten times better when be listened to it while driving in a vehicle. One of HIM's lighter, more laid back songs.

8. Please Don't Let It Go - 5/5 - The lyrics and music on this song combined are just amazing. It starts out a rather mellow song, but by the end of it there are blairing guitars and lead singers Ville Valo's voice wailing "Please don't let it, please don't let it go" over and over as a wonderful fanale to the end of the song. One of HIM's finest and most well constructed songs ever.

9. Beautiful - 4/5 - I enjoy HIM's mellow songs, but the only reason i give this s 4 instead of a 5 is because even this song is a bit too mellow and boring for my extreme liking. The music and ville's voice combined are beautiful (haha, get it? yes, lame joke, i know) but after some time it gets a bit on your nerves. This is one of those songs that you skip over many times until you are in the mood for hearing it, but when you do finally listen to it, you love it.

10. In Love and Lonely - 2/5 - Probably the worst song on the album along with "Love You Like I Do". Don't get me wrong, it's not a HORRIBLE song, but it's definately below average compared to all of HIM's other work. The song sounds too much like some of their other songs (Ex. Again) and is a bit too repetetive for my liking.

11. Don't Close Your Heart - 4/5 - If i liked this song just a fraction more than i do, it'd probably have gotten a 5 from me. The reasons i give it a four being because i'm not crazy about the guitar solo in it or the guitars at any point in the song, really. However, the parts of the song with Ville singing more than make up for the poor musicality of it.

12. Love You Like I DO - 2/5 - Though i like this a bit more than In Love and Lonely, it still doesn't deserve a 3. It's mellow, yes, but not a beautiful kind of mellow song that you'd expect from a mellow HIM song. It's somewhat a shame actually, because the whole album is very uplifting and beautiful, but then it ends with such a miserable, dark song. Oh well, still a great album :)

If looking at my remarks on each song individually you can't tell what kind of style of music this album is, then have no fear, i'll try to sum it up now best as i can. For the most part, it's soft rock, with a few exceptions such as "Lose You Tonight". This album is definately lightert than every other HIM album, and i'm not sure i'd even consider this album as "Love Metal", as the bands music is often referred to.

This is HIM's third full-length album, but only their second album to be released in the U.S. (the other album was "Razorblade Romance). The only difference between this version and the import version is that they were released on different record labels...and this U.S. version is MUCH cheaper. All the songs and artwork are the same though.

This was a great album for HIM, although it's probably their most radio-friendly and commercial sounding album, it has all the deep lyrics and romantic melodies over heavy guitar. While most of the band's other albums are generally heavier or more experimental, this album focuses on the softer sides of the group...particuarlly on songs like "In Joy And Sorrow", "Close To The Flame" and "Beautiful". But as I said, some of the group's rock n' roll side is shown on songs like "Salt In Our Wounds" and "Lose You Tonight". And ofcourse songs like "Pretending" and "Heartache Every Moment" were big hits for the group. Oh, and anyone who is a fan of Bam Margera knows how big of a HIM fan he is. Bam's movie "Haggard" featured 5 songs off of this album! Anyway, this is a terrific album whether you're a fan of Type O Negative or The Cure.

01) "SALT IN OUR WOUNDS" - Begins with a Radiohead type drum-loop and starts slow, but builds to a rockin' chorus!

02) "HEARTACHE EVERY MOMENT" - One of the album's singles, heavy guitar layered by piano.

03) "LOSE YOU TONIGHT" - Just a good song to rock out to!

04) "IN JOY AND SORROW" - Another single, a slow-paced love song.

05) "PRETENDING" - The album's major single, a good rockin' love song.

06) "CLOSE TO THE FLAME" - The album's slowest song, similar to "One Last Time."

07) "PLEASE DON'T LET IT GO" - One of my favorites. This song had the potential to be a single...sounds similar to "Pretending."

08) "BEAUTIFUL" - The name speaks for itself, a slow love song with great melody.

09) "DON'T CLOSE YOUR HEART" - Definitley more upbeat than HIM's past work, but a great song none the less.

10) "LOVE YOU LIKE I DO" - A slow gothic song, with an organ that reminds me of Type O Negative and vocals that remind me of Jim Morrison.

I could go into a long essay about this album, but I won't. I must say that I love every song on this album, some less than others, but I do love all of them.

A great listen, and though some would say that Razorblade Romance is a better album, I'd have to disagree. Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights is much more refined and elegant (and underrated, if you ask me), and appealed a lot more to my tastes. I feel HIM brought their best into every song on this album, and they really take you through a range of emotions with the different sounds of each song.

If you're looking for an introduction to this wonderful group, I'd wholeheartedly recommend this album for your first.

This is one of those bands you should never miss out on. It reminds me of the old 80's rock style with Goth elements. I did like Razorblade Romance a tad better because it's got a heavier guitar sound. This cd didn't contain any real high energy aggressive songs like, "Right here in my arms/I love you(Prelude--.) Most of the new album moves at a slow to medium pace. I still gave it five stars becaue the songs are still very catchy and very well done. If they ever get around to releasing Him in the U.S. he would be a big hit here. Everytime I play one of his C.d's somebody is always asking who the band is, and where they can get the album. If you never heard Him and you like catchy rock mixed with experimental goth get this album first. If you like metal mixed with goth get Razorblade Romance first. If you like songs that hook you, then get all his albums

This album is put together wonderfully, and is wat i think close to the best cd ive heard. Many of the tracks are more upbeat than usual, but still dealing with the overall theme of love. This album is spellbinding to those who have a softer side to themselves. Being a "metalhead" most of my friends think it is unusual that i lik a band suck as HIM. i told them to give this album a listen, and thats when the bands unique genre of "love metal" took effect. They loved it. I am very sure you will too.