Review Summary: Chapter III - Pretending
Having achieved success with the more pop oriented Razorblade Romance, it was only natural for HIM to continue on this path. However with their third album Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights the band might have gone a bit too far off the deep end. The album sees the group experiment more than ever, with mixed results. From the album's opening moments it is clear that something has changed. Gone is any sense of doom and gloom, instead we are treated to an album full of radio friendly ear candy (for the most part). This is no surprise given the behind the scenes troubles that plagued the album's recording process. Outside producers were brought in by the label to make the album more "accessible". This is evident from the abundance of odd effects and production choices. It just makes you wonder what the album would've sounded like, had HIM been in charge.
While Razorblade Romance saw the band expand their sound, it was still a clear continuation of Greatest Love Songs, Vol. 666. The group's third album on the other hand sounds nothing like their debut. Elements of Razorblade Romance are sprinkled through out the album, but there is nothing that harkens back to the group's early years. There is nothing wrong with this, as band's do change, but Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights might have benefited from a more heavy handed approach, as much of the album feels too polished. The most blatant examples of HIM's "new sound" are "Salt in Our Wounds", "Please Don't Let It Go" and "Don't Close Your Heart". All of them are spiced up with unnecessary effects, which come close to nearly killing the tracks. Thankfully the songs are saved by some of the band's catchiest choruses ever.
Much of the melancholy and gloom that made HIM who they were is unfortunately absent from Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights, save for a few key moments. "Close to the Flame" and "In Joy and Sorrow" are classic HIM, with the former creating a beautifully haunting atmosphere and the latter featuring a huge sing-along chorus. Other highlights include the rockers "Heartache Every Moment" and "Pretending", both of which are HIM classics.
Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights was not the album HIM wanted to make. While it is filled with a bunch of top-notch tracks, it suffers from being over-produced. It also strays too far from what essentially made HIM HIM. The album has a welcome dose of experimentation, but unfortunately it went a little too far.
Recommended tracks:
"Close to the Flame"
"Heartache Every Moment"
"Pretending"
"In Joy and Sorrow"
