Search - Hovercraft :: Experiment Below

Experiment Above Expectations

Matt Caswell | Boston, MA | 11/29/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Experiment Below is the strongest Hovercraft release to date. Hailing from Seattle, but sounding like they came from Saturn, this craft hovers, glides, and blasts off into stratospheres where their previous release, Akathisia, last touched down. Guitarist Campbell 2000, bassist Sadie 7, and new drummer Dash 11 continue to explore the possibilities of improvisation and guitar electronics. The track "Phantom Limb" is a prime example of both their current direction,as well as one of the terrain they have mapped before, encapsulating elements of EVOL-era Sonic Youth ("Shadow of a Doubt")physicality of low tech guitar noise, and Heathen Earth-era Throbbing Gristle ("Six Six Sixties") of electronic processing. However, Hovercraft have a tighter rhythmic propulsion than the former, and are far more dynamic than the latter. For all of his reliance on his effects, Campbell knows how to push them to their limits, creating a far greater textural range than most bands that also rely on their collection of effect pedals, just as Sadie and Dash construct the solid runways for Cambell to crash and burn on. This is not merely the instruments on stun then turning the amps to 11; this is what improv is supposed to be about- the musicians LISTENING to each other's playing.The ethereal elements of spacerock, the sinuous riffing of surfrock, and the cacophony of old-school industrial music are all present. My only disappointment this time is the time duration of this disc, clocking in at just past 30 minutes, where Akathisia had ran well over an hour with its five tracks averaging 12 minutes or more. That being its main, and only real weakness, this experiment meets above my expectations."

The future of jazz, experimental and rock.

Matt Caswell | 04/07/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hovercraft are quite simply, the future. Straight improvisational, emotional release. Campbell has invented digital screaming, digital moaning and digital crying. He does it all through the wires connected to his fingertips. Sadie lays down the law with driving rhythms, seemingly looped inside her own head. Sadie and Campbell appear enemies as much as friends. The drums of Karl do the amazingly, un-achieveable job of catching up to the drama between Sadie and Cambpell. Do you enjoy music?"

Its the power of the universe, expressed through music

Matt Caswell | 03/12/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"i saw them live in Olympia, WA, it was the most amazing show i have ever been to. being in the midst of these sounds that surrounded me and filled me with an electronic charge. some may call this hard to listen to, but i think it is truly beautiful."