Search - Hooverphonic :: No More Sweet Music (Hk) (Rmxs)

More sweet music...please!

R O C K E T | The Twin Cities, MN | 02/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While a lot of people dislike the direction Hooverphonic went after their debut, I happen to love it (for the most part). I loved A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular, but I've also loved every subsequent album. The one problem that I have had with all their albums (aside from the first) is that there are always a couple tracks that are SO odd and experimental that even I had trouble with them (such as the last three tracks on Presents Jackie Cane, which was otherwise my former favorite Hoover album). That is not the case with No More Sweet Music. They've ditched the over-the-top showtuney experiments in favor of a more cohesive and overall pleasant listening experience. There are enough chill tracks to please fans of their older stuff and enough poppy, flamboyant tracks to please fans of their more recent stuff.



I initially didn't like the idea of two versions of the same album because I expected one to be significantly better and the other to be mostly throw-aways. That is not the case at all, though! Both versions are incredible and I listen to them equally. I'd say the general sound is a combination of all previous albums. There's also an Asian flair among some of the tracks that adds to the cool vibe. More Sweet Music is more organic/loungy while NO More Sweet Music is more electronic/trip-hoppy. If I had to choose, I think I like More Sweet Music just slightly more - mostly because I like its version of "We All Float" much more and its version of the title track is probably my favorite Hoover song ever. Seriously, I'm obsessed with it. My least favorite track is "Music Box" from More Sweet Music. The music and the verses are cool, but the chorus is a bit off-key and just doesn't work for me.



Overall, this is another masterpiece (actually two masterpieces) by one of my favorite (and most underrated) bands. I can't stop playing these discs. This will definitely be one of 2006's best."

Essential For Any Hooverphonic Fan

Souljacker | Baltimore, MD | 03/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

""No More Sweet Music" is actually two albums - the aforementioned title and also a second disc entitled "More Sweet Music". Each of them contain the same 11 songs - by name and lyrics only. I've never heard an album like this before. I gave up deciding which disc is the primary disc. One disc is not comprised of dubbed versions, live versions, outtakes or anything else one could categorize.



Both albums present each song in a very different way. There is no discernable pattern - for instance, songs on one disc are not of a certain genre (trip hop, electronica, etc)..again each disc presents 11 songs, each completely different from the same title on the other disc. Amazing.



That said, the songs themselves are outstanding. I rank this album with Hooverphonics' finest efforts to date. Standout tracks are the title track, "We All Float", "You Love Me to Death", "Dirty Lenses" and the very radio-friendly "You Hurt Me".



Not only is this album a double treat, it is a challenge as well. In no way do I mean this album is inaccessible - it is, very much so. It is a challenge in that you have to get used to hearing two superb but absolutely different versions of the same song. A sensational idea and executed perfectly - an incredibly inspired and innovative feat. Superbly euphoric and dreamy from beginning to end. Highly recommended and well worth the money."

Back to being incredible!!

David Parker | burlington, vermont United States | 12/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Basically, five stars for the album itself, and one star for the prices I see for it on different sites. Luckily, I found this for less than half of the price listed here, but on to the album. I have been a HUGE Hoover fan since the first album, and I have found them to be veering away from the mysterious and unique blend of trip-pop that they forged on those albums, moving into something almost show-tuney with their last, "Presents Jackie Cane". Musically, this is a gorgeous selection of songs, the kind of music that only this band can write. Electronica mixed with muted guitars and orchestral maneuvers, and featuring the sublime and sweet vocals of singer Geike. While several of the songs on the "No more sweet music" disc exactly mirror their "More sweet music" counterparts, several have enough of a distinction to make them unique and different listening experiences alongside each other. So, I basically listen to the first disc (MSM) in its entirety, and then play about six songs from disc two (NMSM) to follow. Makes for about a 65 minute album that way. Why this band continues to be released by SONY only outside of the U.S. is a mystery, as I know they have a large fanbase here. I think this album, though, may be the one to put them back in the "mainstream" where they belong. Perhaps a tour of the States might then be in the offing!!"