Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Shimmering hooks placed within a pioneering brand of synth-pop would’ve easily given Book Of Love a permanent place in new wave history, but the fact the New Yorkers were just as bold of voices for queer and marginalized youth while frequently discussing gender roles in the 1980s, long before any of it was part of the mainstream conversation, made the musicians especially significant.

It’s been exactly 40 years since the group’s self-titled debut simultaneously reinvented the radio, conquered the clubs and supported Depeche Mode’s enormous “Black Celebration” Tour, so to mark the occasion, Rhino Records reissued a freshly remastered edition on vinyl and streaming services by the album’s original engineer Ted Jensen.

However, even more exciting is the fact that Susan Ottaviano, Ted Ottaviano (no relation), Jade Lee and Lauren Roselli reunited for a tour selling out practically everywhere it’s stopping in America, including opening night at Chicago’s Metro.

The underground institution was a fitting location for those lucky enough to score a ticket, much like the tightly-packed places Book Of Love played back in the day, although now several younger faces nestled next to longtime fans.

Either way, everyone was greeted by grooves of “You Make Me Feel So Good,” “Still Angry” and “Yellow Sky,” the latter performed for possibly the first time ever, launching about 90-minutes of pure bliss on the dance floor featuring Susan’s transcendent vocals and the trio of gloriously intertwined keyboards.

It was a “Happy Day” indeed to have Book Of Love back for not only the classics, but a cover of LiLiPUT’s “Die Matrosen” and the entirely new “Lorelei,” plus there was nothing like hearing “Modigliani (Lost in Your Eyes)” in the flesh after it was featured in John Hughes’ movie “Planes, Trains & Automobiles” and TV’s “Miami Vice.”

Book Of Love also recalled “Pretty Boys And Pretty Girls,” one of the earliest tracks to directly reference the looming AIDS crisis, and the outsiders’ anthem “Boy,” complete with its signature bells and spine-chilling chimes.

Despite technically being a celebration rooted in nostalgia, it was remarkable how much Book Of Love the band and the song of the same name or perhaps “I Touch Roses” rubbed off on tons of today’s alternative pop stars, some of whom may not really realize it, yet should be forever indebted to this forward-thinking foursome.

For additional information on Book Of Love, visit BookOfLoveMusic.com.

Upcoming shows at the Metro include Buttootking (Oct. 11); Inoha (Oct. 12); Holywatr (Oct. 13); Peelingflesh (Oct. 14); Medium Build (Oct. 16); The Get Up Kids (Oct. 17); Digable Planets (Oct. 18); Whitney (Oct. 22); Club 1BD: Halloween Party (Oct. 24); Plini (Oct. 25); Quadeca (Oct. 30) and Nocturna: All Hallow’s Eve Ball (Oct. 31). For additional details, visit MetroChicago.com.

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