Lurid Traversal of Route 7

Hoover | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 16, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Dischord
• ASIN: B000000JPM
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #133,752 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Call Hoover's sole Dischord album emo if one wants -- because that would be right, but not in the washed-out whine sense of the late '90s. Much like the similarly fierce Drive Like Jehu from San Diego, when Lurid Traversal totally and completely fires up, Hoover are out for blood and sound it: musical aggression amped up high, lyrics clipped, and vocals screamed in usually very high pitches. The Jehu comparison also holds with the sense of obsessive, repetitive structure mixed with occasional time changes in a number of the songs -- if Hoover isn't quite as astoundingly epic as the West Coast quartet, the band's work is still far more than mere crash and bash. The group's secret weapon is that the foursome can be quiet when they want to be -- even tender, as the cricket-chirping then slow, slightly dreamy music that makes up the instrumental "Route 7" itself shows. Other songs like "Regulator Waits" and "Shut" place the emphasis on tension rather than explosion -- the singing and lyrics are still pained-sounding and to the point, but the music takes its time to subtly chug and chime along. The concluding "Cuts Like Drugs" is a perfectly balanced monster, some guitar scraping away in the distance like Daniel Ash in Bauhaus days while a suffused air of threat hangs over the whole performance (credit should be given to drummer Christopher Farral here and elsewhere). When the group openly bridges the step between quiet and loud, notably and almost jarringly on the fantastic "Father," the shift carries that much more impact from having started from a calmer point. The CD adds three extra tracks from an earlier single, a fine enough little bonus. ~ Ned Raggett, All Music Guide --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars minimal mood rock, October 22, 2005

By 

J. Holmes "blood+whiskey" (yokohama, japan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lurid Traversal of Route 7 (Audio CD)

i seem to remember this band causing quite a commotion when they first came out. people were split down the middle on this direction that this band were taking hardcore music. probably because this band was not interested in being as fast or as loud or as crazed as many of their peers. Hoover use alot of quiet parts in their songs and interject a moody atmosphere. they don't seem concerned about going fast, in fact, they like things slow and building up in repetitious circles. dubby basslines carry the weight of these songs with the guitar making tasteful and tuneful interjections. the drums are solid and have a great flow. the vocals are a low key croon that keep with the somewhat eerie and tense feeling of paranoia that these songs tend to inspire. very good album that inspired hundreds, millions of trite imposters that had no business putting out records. oh well...cheers to the originators. cheers to Hoover.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wall of sound- Fasten your seatbelt, July 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Lurid Traversal of Route 7 (Audio CD)

This CD unleashes the potential of a bass in the forefront, leading the songs, rather than being in the back for the ride. From the cranking, earpopping, ever changing bass line in Electrolux(song 3) to the melodic, poppy inserts along the way, this album, mixed with intense drums and riveting guitar will leave you senseless for hours to come.

5.0 out of 5 stars one of my favorite albums of all time.., January 30, 2010

By 

reg watts "paloaalto" (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lurid Traversal of Route 7 (Audio CD)

Hoover changed my life basically...set me on a path to play music and think outside the box. my first band was basically a hoover ripoff, with some Drive Like Jehu and Gravity records thrown in. i still get chills listening to this album, from the first bass notes of 'distant' all the way through the amazing climax of 'cuts like drugs.' the 3 bonus songs on the cd are great as well, even if 'private' is one of my least favorite hoover songs. also check out the self titled 'reunion' ep, their split with Lincoln and if you can find it, there is an amazing live recording of a Hoover radio show as well. i highly recommend all of these guys other bands as well, like Crownhate Ruin, Regulator Watts, Abilene, June of 44, The Boom, Radio Flyer, The Sorts, etc...of all the dischord bands, Hoover is my favorite...and after that probably Lungfish.