Hooverphonic: A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular: Pitchfork Record Review

Hooverphonic
A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular
[Epic]
Rating: 8.1

Ever walk into that room at the party where they have the walls painted black, there's a icing of smoke clinging to the ceiling, and a group of sleepy faces slowly chat about the importance of semantics? From the speakers upon which rest the buddha collection, there is invariably something tinkling with the right flavor for just such a place, something like Hooverphonic's A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular. Spooky electro-instrumental backdrops framing the sparse and wispy voice of Liesje Callier. Shimmering mutant jazz and hip-hop that's spent too much time awake to clamor for your attention, it caresses and whispers its delicacies with hushed breath. Like a daydream, it flirts from one style to another, but never really loses its cohesion until you emerge. Hey, pass the bowl, and on your way, turn it up, man.

-James P. Wisdom