A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular [OGV] Hooverphonic Artist

The Belgian trio {|Hooverphonic|} haphazardly tinkers around with {|ambient pop|} on its debut album, {|A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular|}. Overall, it's a decent derivation of {|post-grunge|} and a healthy sampling of rising {|trip-hop|} and {|ambient|} {|electronica|} during the mid-'90s, so perhaps it's all right for the album itself to experience floppy production. Lead singer {|Liesje Sadonius|} is sultry while defining {|Hooverphonic|}'s signature {|shoegazer-like|} vocalics, with almost impressive electronic support from guitarists {|Alex Callier|} and {|Raymond Geerts|} and keyboardist {|Frank Duchene|}. Debut single {|2 Wicky|} struts with a mysterious bass drop, and it's {|Sadonius|}' sexy vocal charm that fully ties it all together. Other tracks such as {|Inhaler|} and {|Revolver|} are moody but danceable, whereas {|Nr. 9|} blasts with hazy {|My Bloody Valentine|} -like distortion. The orchestration is tangled, but the artistic purpose of such musical beauty defines {|Hooverphonic|}'s initial concept. {|A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular|} depicts a glossy confidence, but not sheer enough for a fully enigmatic sound. But that's perfectly fine -- {|Hooverphonic|} characterizes its own grace with {|experimental|} soundscapes of melodic disarray, but just barely. ~ MacKenzie Wilson