the magnificent tree

hooverphonic

sbme, 2000

Mood—Eerie, mellow, dreamy, maybe a little jazzy in places?

Sample: "The Magnificent Tree"

Thoughts— Now here's an album that really divides the band's fan base.

I am a huge Hooverphonic fan. Half the reason I went to Brussels was to see the Atomium, and that's just because it was on a Hooverphonic T-shirt I purchased when I saw them in concert. Yeah, that's weirdly more fanatical than I normally get about things.

I was introduced to the band by their second album (which I talk about here), and this may explain why this, their third album, didn't rub me as wrongly as it did some of their other fans. It's a massive departure from Blue Wonder Power Milk and A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular. I will admit that it took my by surprise, but I never felt that I was somehow suckered into buying The Magnificent Tree.

Unlike other bands, I'm always interested in hearing where Hooverphonic goes next. And of all the bands that I know and love, they have probably changed the most over the years. I don't know why I'm so lenient with them... maybe it's because each departure from the previous style has been good. Not better, but good.

Anyhow, regarding The Magnificent Tree, I was sucked in by the first track, "Autoharp". I even picked up an autoharp after hearing it. Wow... I really am a fan here, aren't I? The song is interesting but it is a definite warning that what you are about to hear will be a little different. The second track, "Mad About You" was the single from the album, and has a jazz club vibe to it, with some punny lyrics... foreshadowing songs like "Jacky Cane" and "Vinegar And Salt" (and ultimately their next album, but I won't talk about that here.)

My favorite tracks are "Autoharp", "Everytime We Live Together We Die A Bit...", "Out Of Sight", and the happy-ish "Pink Fluffy DInosaurs". There are some really weird tracks on this one... most single out "Frosted Flake Wood" as being too much weirdness to bear, but it's all part of that foreshadowing I mentioned before...

Ultimately, this is an album I cannot blindly recommend, as opposed to the two previous albums. You have to be comfortable with the band's preference for oddness before truly enjoying The Magnificent Tree, and even then it may have to grow on you after a few listens through.

Recommended? I'd like to, but I can't.

Link—hooverphonic.com

Tracklist
1. Autoharp
2. Mad About You
3. Waves
4. Jacky Cane
5. The Magnificent Tree
6. Vinegar And Salt
7. Frosted Flake Wood
8. Everytime We Live Together We Die A Bit...
9. Out Of Sight
10. Pink Fluffy Dinosaurs
11. L'Odeur Animale
12. Renaissance Affair (bonus)