CDReview: HIM, Screamworks:Love in Theory and Practice

HIM

Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice

(Sire)

Oh! What a long (but educational) journey the past few months have been! After an encounter with Vampires in Texas, I decided to flee the area for a much needed getaway. Well, “getaway” as in flee from harm, but also “getaway” in the form of searching for employment in a land of leisure. Ah, furloughs can be so rough! Anyway, I thought a total cultural change was in order, purchased a plane ticket, and began work a couple of days later at a winery in the country side of Paris, France.

Of course, I was totally out of my element in the grape trade, but became a quick learner and had a new skill (and one I fancied) in the few months I had been there. I was trained in the process of growing and harvesting the tasty fruit into a Nectar of the Gods. It is a skill I am proud to have in my knowledge; still it takes quite some time to master. I am slowly on my way to getting there. Keep your eyes peeled and maybe one day I will bottle my own brand of wine.

The country hillside of Paris has been scenic and pleasant and for work, actually relaxing. However, I did have a life back in Texas and hopefully a job still. I called my boss to find out that I was much needed back at my job, sorely missed, etc, etc. I let the ass kissing continue for a few seconds longer before assuring him I would return, but it would take a couple of weeks because I was in Europe. Of course, there was “no problem with that…”

Upon collecting my final check, I bid adieu to my fellow Frenchmen and took a taxi into the beautiful and historic City of Love. In addition to absorbing all the art and history, I was meeting with my Angel Without Wings, who was now a runway model. I checked into the Hotel de Ville (for obvious reasons), then walked down to the street café where I was to meet Her. Not being a coffee drinker, I opted for a cherry juice crème and waited nervously. I didn’t think She would recognize me with the long hair and the slight beard, but of course I was wrong! She, giggling like a school girl, ran up to me, gave me a kiss, and then rubbed my scruff.

We shared a great time catching up since her move to France. She told me of her adventures of many fashion shows and her ever growing wardrobe, and I explained about the furlough, the past few months and my bizarre encounters from traveling job to job. My workplace in Texas had requested my return, so I told Her we would have a couple of days to indulge in every intoxicating invitation that Paris offered, including (but no limited to) shopping, site seeing, cuisine and our time together. The gleam in Her eyes reminded me of that time when we had dated, the emotions I felt upon our separation. If there could be a soundtrack to our time together then and now, it would be HIM’s Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice.

The title to HIM’s newest release pretty much sums up its basis. Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice. Enough said. BUT, since this is a music review, why not delve in a little deeper.  Practice is one thing these Finnish rockers do not have to worry about. As with their previous six releases, Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice is just as solid. It is a great ensemble of HIM’s collective sounds. This seventh studio release is not the deep dark seeded monster that Venus Doom was, and not bubblegum pop rock for the girlies at the mall either. It is more of a balanced combination of HIM’s frolicking through different rock genres. This offering is melodic rock driven, blending more use of electric keyboards and synths with elements of 80s retro rock. It is also very catchy and musically upbeat (under dark vocals), but not mainstream. If anything, Screamworks provides a fresh energy to the group’s music repertoire.

Part of this “fresh energy” may be illuminating from front man Ville Valo, having written this album being sober, and providing some of his greatest lyrics to date. And for vocals, Valo is spot on; nailing it! Add the grandiose guitar work of Mikko “Linde” Lindstrom for another interesting angle. Linde is no slouch fretwork for sure, and once again provides a solid and soulful performance. Guitar shredding is fun, but limited in emotional and audio capacity; thankfully Linde does not indulge in such acts, but instead delivers life giving energy and touching melodies to Valo’s heartfelt lyrics.

Another refreshing change is the subject material of the songs. The previous releases were usual dark toned landscape for tragic tales of love and death. With Screamworks and to keep up with “change”, it does not stop with the music. The lyrics and subject matter have also advanced forward in the band’s maturity. The “Love” element still remains, but gone is the “Death”. This time around the idea is of love and suffering; heartbreak, but going forward with life after lessons learned. It is like a breakup and the feeling that follows it. The songs Heartkiller, Dying Song, Love the and In the Arms of Rain display HIM’s updated lyrical content and musical diversity united as one. The CD as a whole shows the band’s maturity in song and in life together; this really elevates the emotional level to new heights.

Hardest Way

That height would be where life and love are gifts, and it finally is recognized.

Our couple of days together took us all over the sights of Paris, like the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and Eglise de la Madeleine. She also took me around to meet some of her fashion designer friends. They were even cool to hook me up with new shirts, jeans, and shoes—anything to spread the word and get their name out! Our nights found us out at nice restaurants, sipping drinks at a patio café, admiring, the Seigne River and walking along a bridge and placing a padlock with our names on it; an idea we wish were ours, but apparently there were hundreds of others ahead of us in the idea.

The following morning as I prepared for my departure to England, my Wingless Beauty approached me with sleepy and sad eyes. Once again she hugged me, and then pulled at the scruff on my face. “Sit,” she ordered, and as She walked past me, I did as I was told. She returned and stood behind me. Then She kissed the top of my head, and began to cut the long locks of hair I had grown over the past ten months. The haircut was nice, felt good, and looked more like me, instead of the traveling worker I had become. Next, She slathered cream on my face, straddled me face to face, and began to shave to reveal the face she admired once that had been hidden. She said it took ten years off, and I have to agree with her.

Soon after She dressed, we checked out of the Hotel de Ville and shared one last morning drink together; She, about to return to work on the runway, and I, about to make a quick stop in London before heading stateside. Soon, my taxi arrived for the drive to the airport. The driver loaded my luggage as I said farewell to mon ancien amour. She put her sunglasses on before the first teardrop fell, then kissed my cheek before turning and leaving.

I hesitated getting in the taxi and called out to her. “Même Temps l'année prochaine?”

Without stopping, She looked over her shoulder and smiled…