Love Is Hell (Kitchens of Distinction album) explained

Love Is Hell
Type:	studio
Artist:	Kitchens of Distinction
Cover:	loveishell.jpg
Released:	April 1989
Recorded:	1988
Studio:	Berry Street Studio, Clerkenwell, London
Genre:	Shoegaze, dream pop
Length:	39:12
Label:	One Little Indian
Producer:	Kitchens of Distinction
Next Title:	Strange Free World
Next Year:	1991

Love Is Hell is the debut album by British alternative rock band Kitchens of Distinction.^[1] It was released in April 1989 by One Little Indian Records in the UK and A&M Records in the US. While the album earned KOD comparisons to bands like Echo & the Bunnymen and the Chameleons, the guitar soundscapes created by Julian Swales and the passionate lyrics and vocal delivery from Patrick Fitzgerald gave Kitchens of Distinction their own signature sound. The album also maintains a punkier sound than to be featured on the band's later albums. The 1993 CD edition of the album includes the band's 1989 Elephantine EP as 4 bonus tracks.

The album takes its title from the last line in "Hammer", a song about love gone wrong.^[2]

Singles

• "Prize" (October 1988)
  1. "Prize"
  2. "Concede"
  3. "Innocent"
• "The 3rd Time We Opened the Capsule" (May 1989)
  1. "The 3rd Time We Opened the Capsule"
  2. "4 Men" (early version)
  3. "Into the Sea"
  4. "Prize" (Demo)
• "Elephantine" EP (October 1989)
  1. "Elephantine"
  2. "Margaret's Injection"
  3. "The 1001st Fault"
  4. "Anvil Dub"

Personnel

Kitchens of Distinction

• Patrick Fitzgerald – vocals, bass
• Julian Swales – guitar
• Dan Goodwin – drums

with:

• Anna Palm – violin on "Her Last Day in Bed"

Technical

• Barry Sage – engineer
• Sleeve design by Me Company
• Distributed by The Cartel

References

1. Simpson . Dave . Albums: Kitchens of Distinction . Melody Maker . 27 May 1989 . 65 . 21 . 34.
2. Allmusic - Kitchens of Distinction "Hammer" song review