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To those who don't know anything about Hooverphonic.. they're an orchestral/acoustic Belgian group with Portishead/trip-hop sensibilities. Hard to comprehend, but their music tends to sound similar to that of Portishead, Mono, or Lamb, but without the electronics. With deliciously smooth vocals on top, Hooverphonic makes a very appetizing dish.
And so Belgium's own orchestracoustic group are back with their fourth album, 'Jackie Cane'. Jackie Cane is an opera, of sorts. A story is told from start to finish, that of the tragic rise and fall of pop singer Jackie Cane. You don't need to know the story to appreciate the album, but basically this album musically conveys how someone rises to fame, and then collapses due to drugs and insanity.
The single 'The World Is Mine' is the fourth track on the album, and signifies Jackie's high point before crashing down into insanity. The song encapsulates all of the joy, ego, and ecstasy of being famous, being at the top, and lapping it all up. It's not a typical Hooverphonic song, since it has quite a pop sensability, with jazzy horns bursting through, cheesy backing vocals and a real retro nightclub feel.
Old Hooverphonic fans should be most interested by 'Human Interest', something that recalls 'Eden' days. 'Something' and 'One' seem like natural progressions for Hooverphonic, with their trademark string based sound, but with a mild electronica feel creeping in and James Bond style guitar in the background.
'The Last Supper' is the penultimate track, and signifies the day Jackie dies.
'The Kiss (of Death)', a piano and string piece, ends the album at the point after Jackie has died. Rather than being morbid or depressing, it sensitively focuses on how one should find dignity in death, how death removes our chains from us, and how life goes on. An amazing end to an amazing album. This goes straight into my top 10 list of albums.
"Some say because it's over, we should be sad but that's not true. Cuz death may seem something nasty but it belongs to me and you. Don't try to avoid your destiny, accept this kiss with dignity. In this embrace you'll find relief, get rid of all your grief." |
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发表于 2005-2-11 22:30
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