HIM - Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights (2001)
Tracklist front / back album covers
All tracks are written by Ville Valo
1. "Salt in Our Wounds" 3:58
2. "Heartache Every Moment" 3:56
3. "Lose You Tonight" 3:42
4. "In Joy and Sorrow" 4:00
5. "Pretending" 3:55
6. "Close to the Flame" 3:46
7. "Please Don't Let It Go" 4:29
8. "Beautiful" 4:33
9. "Don't Close Your Heart" 4:39
10. "Love You Like I Do" 5:14
Total length: 40:52
Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights is the third studio album by Finnish gothic rock band HIM. Released 27 August 2001, HIM began recording demos in the fall of 2000, with producer T.T. Oksala intending to release the initial recordings as the finished album. After being rejected by the record label BMG, producer Kevin Shirley was brought in, who clashed with members of the band over his style of working. The recording process took eleven months, with outside influences within the industry and the extended time frame causing friction with the album, which ended up with a sleeker and more pop-oriented sound than its predecessors. Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights was also HIM's first album to feature keyboardist Janne "Burton" Puurtinen.
Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights received mixed reviews from critics, with some praise being given to the songwriting and Ville Valo's vocal performance, but most criticized the album's production and overall commercial sound. Despite this, Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights charted in seven countries, peaking at number one in Finland and Austria, later going platinum and gold respectively. The album was also the band's first to chart on the Billboard 200 at number 190. Three singles were released, with all reaching the top two in Finland. The supporting tour for Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights saw HIM playing the US for the first time, but overall strained the band to the point of nearly breaking up.
