58 of 69 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One Album Wonder in Retrospect..., October 6, 2000
Having heard their subsequent albums, I am certain a chip in the head of Alex Callier malfunctioned or someone else wrote the first album. The moods and rhythms evoked by this first album are far more complex than most of the songs on Blue Wonder Power Milk and most definitely the trite Magnificent Tree.
From the first hypnotic track, Inhaler, this album is like a syren that draws you in closer and closer. With Liesje's departure, something was lost. Nr9 is a remarkable song. I've never quite heard anything like it.
Musically, this album is layered from beginning to end with dreamy instrumentals, and the beats...trip hop, drum and bass, or whatever you want to call it, that isn't mired in an orchestral overkill of synthetic strings or your latest band to add a few string arrangements to add credibility to their music. That is what they've done on their second and third albums, unfortunately. Like Orson Welles, Hooverphonic hit their peak with their first work. They achieved a sound that is nothing like Portishead, only to the virginal listener who finds Moloko, Mono and Olive to all sound the same. Only time will tell if Hooverphonic comes to their senses, which I doubt they will with how far out they've ventured from their original charm.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular? Indeed, May 24, 2001
this CD never leaves my sight...it's in the car...it's downloaded on my computer at work...it's in the CD player at home. if there were ever a group to take you in a new direction of music, allow Hooverphonic to lead the way. dreamy...otherworldly...hypnotic. little bit of trip-hop...trip-pop...lounge...and vocals that will leave you wanting more after every listen. when i'm listening to this at work, i always get the "who's this? it's really good...wow." trust me...this debut release from this Belgian band is incredible. i have yet to get the other two albums (milk and tree)...a bit scared of tarnishing my view i suppose. nonetheless...you owe it yourself as a fan of music to get this CD and experience what is known as a "New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular".
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Retro Trip-Hop at its finest, August 23, 1999
By A Customer
I just received my shipment today, and I'm already incredibly impressed with this CD. This is true trip-hop in the fashion of Portishead and Massive Attack. To me, only 2 tracks disappoint: Sarangi and Revolver. All of the others have the incredible dynamic range of the best trip-hop. Barabas reminds me of Massive Attack's incredible Unfinished Sympathy, but my favorite is the retro sounding Innervoice, simply peaceful. Also, this is the first trip-hop CD I've gotten with the lyrics inserted: in the mood for a laugh? Check the lyrics to Nr9. My only regret is that I procrastinated too much before prchasing this CD - Don't make the same mistake!
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