Hinterland
"Under the Waterline" CD
Hybrid
Electric Records
Genres: indie pop, dream pop, space rock
Hybrid Electric
PO Box 1261
Lincoln Park MI
48146
Apr 19 - 25 2004 |
Hinterland's Under the Waterline is a tremendously
enjoyable album. From the opening melodies to the final tune's last
gasp, you will be entrapped in this disc's melodic brilliance.
Though the songs often go past the five minute mark, they are strong
enough compositions to keep you engaged nonetheless. The style
is a sort of spacey dream pop, combining blissful female vocals with
epic, instrumental backgrounds and powerful hooks.
"Aspidistra" is a fine example of this album's type of
song. A simple guitar pattern is laid down, and breezy, ethereal
vocals are sung over top. The result is the type of thing you'd
expect on a Blisscent compilation - dreamy, infectious pop
fitted for snow-covered neighbourhoods at night.
"Heavy-Eyed and Hiding" is similar, with a cozy, personal
structure that will melt even the most coal-filled hearts. It
could be the soundtrack to summer love, it could be the soundtrack to
winter loneliness - that all depends on your mood.
Hinterland's Under the Waterline is not the greatest
dream-pop album to ever come out, but it is certainly a fine
one. I challenge anyone to debate the brilliance of "Tiger
Tiger."
87%
Matt Shimmer
[Vitals: 10 tracks, distributed by the
label, released 2003] |