Imagine an electronica version of The Sundays' dream-pop combined with the melodic punch of The Cranberries. Geike Arnaert's voice falls in the same chanteuse category as Harriet Wheeler (The Sundays), Dolores O'Riordan (The Cranberries), and Elizabeth Fraser (Cocteau Twins). And while Hooverphonics' melodies bear similarities to those bands' efforts, the Belgian's 4-piece boasts much more interesting arrangements, supported by lush synth programming, keyboards and the occasional cool-blue surf guitar. Ah, but what really rockets this CD into a much higher, dreamier plain (and will make you thank me for talking you into picking it up) are tracks like "Eden," "Battersea" and "Electro Shock Faders" that make the most of live strings and brass. "This Strange Effect," for example, opens with a wavy, floating string fugue before it's topped with Raymond Geerts' James Bond-style guitar and, finally, Arnaert's chiming chordal vox. The band takes layer upon layer upon layer of sterling sounds and makes a unique pop environment that inspires while it shakes your ass. When Alex Callier takes over the vocal chores on three tracks (and especially the creepy "Dictionary") Hooverphonic turns into a latter-day version of Depeche Mode/Pet Shop Boys. Wake up and dance a while, than go back to dreamland.

-- Tim McMahan

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Copyright © 1998 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Rating: Yes