Title: Hooverphonic Escapes Portishead's Shadow
Review: Ever since Hooverphonic's debut CD, A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular, critics have lumped this Belgian group in with the army of imitators that followed in the wake of Trip-Hop's 600 pound gorilla, Portishead. Hooverphonic, while generally appreciated by the Trip-Hop crowd, was unable to establish a separate identity.Well, I'll admit they do sound a lot like Portishead, but there's something else going on here. The mood isn't as black as Portishead, nor is it as pop as The Sneaker Pimps. What you get on this CD is more of an orchestral sound, the richness of which you may find hints of on their debut CD.I must admit I was worried when I learned of the original female vocalist's departure, but the change seems to have loosened up the group. I detect a little more experimentalism here, a not-so-unusual thing for a sophomore effort from bands with staying power.Can you tell I've been waiting for this one? ;-)
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