The Hooverphonic String Orchestra includes: Joris Van Den Hauwe (conductor); Christiana Constaninesiu, Claire Delplanque, Grietje Francais, Veronique Gilis, Tine Janssens, Jan Buysschaert, Herwig Corijn, Hoost Cuypen, Henk De Bruycker, Patrick De Neef, Otto Derolez, Maruritz Goossens.
BLUE WONDER POWER MILK contains a hidden track after "Magneta."
Staying true to eclectic ambience through dramatic electronic music, Hooverphonic raise the pressure from their debut single "2Wicky" for a more passionate effort on their second album, Blue Wonder Power Milk. New vocalist Geike Arnaert captures an innocence that was practically blindsided on the first album by former lead singer Liesje Sadonius. Blue Wonder Power Milk is intricately woven with string arrangements and pulsating dance club beats for a drowsy feel. Most songs featured on Blue Wonder Power Milk are guided by light strings, allowing Hooverphonic to gently fall into genres of indie pop, dream pop, and trip-hop, however each song does take on a life of its own -- slowly. Album opener "Battersea" arrives with Arnaert's breathy vocals for a spiraling drum'n'bass track about self-indulgence. "Club Montepulciano," which received moderate airplay on college radio and "Eden" both glide with an ethereal beauty, whereas "Lung" thrives with heavy guitar licks and throbbing Depeche Mode-like synths. Blue Wonder Power Milk attempts for a strong introduction, and while it is indeed enchanting, it's also slow to rise. It isn't until the latter part of the record where the music feels tight. Songs such as "Renaissance Affair" and "Tuna" both depict an artistical splendor. Both compose a naïveté, unlike "2Wicky," with its personal lyrics and impersonal orchestral mystery. "Magenta" is pure symphonic bliss -- raging keyboard hues are hard hitting with a delicate sensuality taking over the entire theme of the album. Blue Wonder Power Milk depicts what's yet to come from Hooverphonic, but also a sound that is unafraid to be young and wistful to be reworked in future albums. ~ MacKenzie Wilson
Out of print in the U.S.! Import pressing of the 1998 album from the Belgian Ambient/Electronic Pop band (originally known as Hoover in Europe). 13 tracks including 'One Way Radio', 'Lung', 'Battersea', 'Eden' and more. Sony/BMG. 2008.
Hooverphonic: Geike Arnaert (vocals); Alex Callier (vocals, guitar, keyboards, programming); Raymond Geerts (guitar); Frank Duchene (keyboards, background vocals).
Additional personnel: Ryoji Hata (vocals); Mark Plati (vocals, acoustic guitar, bass, programming); The Hooverphonic String Orchestra (strings); Rik Vercruyssen, Alex Van Aken (horns); Mike Davis, Herb Besson (trombone); Dave Richards (acoustic bass); Ronny Mosuse (bass); Eric Bosteels (drums, percussion).
no one's reviewed this??? Hooverphonic were one of the best "electronica" groups of the '90s, in my opinion.
When I first heard their debut album "A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular", I was very impressed. Their sound on this album is somewhat similar to 90's Depeche Mode (more guitar-driven and not quite as poppy) and--which just came to mind, portishead (but happier). I did not expect much variety on the album, but hints of trip-hop, drum and bass, and funk bass lines are found throughout. What I remember most about this first album was a sense of minimalism in the music. There was no feeling of overproduction or layer upon layer of effects. This album was not "overdone", I guess is the best way to explain this.
So what about the second album? I needed to explain the first album to really touch on something I immediately felt from "Blue Wonder Powder Milk". Where the debut felt like a safe, cautious attempt to produce an album that more people might enjoy, the second has a sense of freedom and the exploration of sounds and ideas that not necessarily improve on the debut, but do give one a new perspective of the musicality of the group.
"Blue Wonder Powder Milk" is full of string arrangements and the use of more instrumentation. There is less of that vibe Portishead were notorious for and more variety that the first album.
I really feel that every song on this album is quality music. Standouts include "Club Montepulciano", "Renaissance Affair", "This Strange Effect", and my personal favorite "Lung".
Their first two albums were great! I can't say that I like one over the other; their third album "The Magnificent Tree" wasn't nearly as good as its predecesors, but it has it's moments.
Two more things about Hooverphonic: one, don't expect profound lyrics. The listening is better when one doesn't know what the songs are really about; two, they did an outstanding cover of Depeche Mode's "Shake the Disease", if you can ever find a copy of it.
Submitted by ludus (El Paso, TX, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
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