Talent
Jose R. Alvarado | Miami, FL United States | 05/02/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jackie Cane is not another trip hop album. god knows the last thing the world needs is another tired Portishead clone.That's why I like Hooverphonic. They're broadening their horizons and mastering new styles. Jackie Cane has an excellent 20th century Broadway pop feel to it, but you can tell they made use of their years of trip hop experince. Their work over the years has shown that they've really grown up and they know how to experiment with the musical toys they're given.For this reason Hooverphonic can't be classified as just another one-dimensional trip hop band. They have a diverse resumé that proves their ability in many fields. To me, this is a sign of talent."
Best ever...
BISHOPP FROM UPTOWN | New York, NY | 05/05/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album is truly the best ever! As far as different musical styles, melodies, etc. Hooverphonic has come a far way from 'Blue Wonder Powder Milk' and raise the bar yet again on this studio outset. Key songs are: "World Is Mine", "Nirvana Blue", and "One"."
Please disregard my first review "Limited" This is Solid
Arish | PhOenix , aZ | 02/11/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Sorry, for my first review this is a solid effort and I love it! I guess after the "Magnificent Tree" I felled to really try to listen to this accuratley! The truth is the production on this lp is Amazingly entertaining and diverse!Well, I have to say with a straight face that I was wrong for dissing this album. After hearing "Massive Attacks" bland latest attempt. And the uneven "Thievery Corporation's -Babylon, I have to say this is a Damn good Lp! I sat back and actually listen to it and I was impressed. Each individual song is actually telling a story about this "Jackie Cane Character". I have to honestly say the production on this lp is alot more elaborate than the previous lps. But the style isn't as dark and tripped out as the previous 3 efforts. They tried to do a commercial type deal, but yet and still the production is to elaborate. This lp still slips in and out of the amazing production of the past efforts and some better. I don't think these guys are capable of just a average produced product. I wasn't very fond of "The Magnificent Tree" because I felt is was missing something. And it was really a drastic transition from "Blue Wonder!" But "Jackie Cane" definitey on the production stand point makes up for the last effort. But I still would have to say "2 Wicky, Renassance affair & Eden" are my favorite tracks from the Belgium trio. I also can tell that they have a different lead vocalist which really I think made a difference in their musical direction. On their first two efforts they had more of a dreamy Trip Hop female vocalist. On "Magnificent and there Latest this woman sounds more like a "Broadway/POP vocalist. But over all these tracks all have a unique identity unlike some of there previous work it kinda ran together. Not that is a bad thing the other tracks on the previous lps had more of a ambient quality to them. "One" is easily one of the standouts and the closest to traditional Hooverphonic you will hear on this lp. "Human Interest" is a string based composition with a Catchy Hook! "Nirvanna Blue" is a really beautiful mid tempo soft rock type track. Very reminiscent of some of "Morcheeba" second lp sounding material. "The world is Mine" is a latin based track with a James Bond quality to it. "Jackie's delirium" is a really nice cruizing song with a nice beat.It has a weird repeating distorted vocal on it. "Sad Song" is a beautiful Piano composition with spare vocals, it really works."Shampoo" has a nice beat with a weird synth sound to it very elclectic. "Others Delight" the obvious second stand out track with tight production. This track has a reggie dub feel with a heavy riding bass and jumpy Drum N Bass drums. "Opium" is a darker sounding electronic track with s wicked feel. "The Last Supper" easily the 3rd stand out track. Very wicked sounding erie Piano based track with strings for support. Very reminisent of "Emiliania Torrini's Gollums Song" from "The Two Towers" soundtrack. "Opium" flows into "The last Supper" like they are the same composition because of the same piano riff. "The Kiss" is a nice piano compositon to end the lp with a sadness to it. Overall this is a entertaining and very diverse lp for the Begium trio. I don't think they will gain any commercal success from this because it is still very sophisticated. These guys are too complex for the average commercial market. Just as "Mandalay" tried to do commercial music and it was still to ahead of it's time. This band will fall under that same stigma they will never be like everyone else, is it a gift or a curse?Arish"
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1