Hooverphonic – No More Sweet Music (2005)
Release Date: November 14 2005
Artist: Hooverphonic
Label: Sony BMG Music Entertainment
Genre: Trip hop / Electronic / Dream pop
Producer: Alex Callier
Album Type: Studio album (double‑disc concept)
No More Sweet Music is the fifth studio album by Belgian band Hooverphonic and one of their most experimental releases. It was issued as a double album — More Sweet Music with original tracks, and No More Sweet Music, the same 11 tracks remixed by the band’s programmer Alex Callier. The contrasting discs underline the band’s blend of melodic pop and electronic reinterpretation.
Tracklist
Disc 1 – More Sweet Music
-
You Love Me to Death
-
We All Float
-
Music Box
-
You Hurt Me
-
No More Sweet Music
-
Tomorrow
-
Dirty Lenses
-
Heartbeat
-
Wake Up
-
My Child
-
Ginger
Disc 2 – No More Sweet Music (Each above track remixed by Alex Callier)
Album Credits
Hooverphonic Members
-
Geike Arnaert – lead vocals
-
Alex Callier – programming, bass, backing vocals
-
Raymond Geerts – guitar
Additional Musicians & Contributions
The album’s expanded sound includes orchestral elements and additional instrumentation in both original and remixed forms, although specific credits vary by disc.
Production
-
Produced by Alex Callier
-
Released by Sony BMG Music Entertainment
Reception & Release History
No More Sweet Music stands out for its dual‑disc concept, blending traditional songwriting with bold electronic reinterpretations. It produced several singles, including “You Hurt Me,” “Wake Up,” “Dirty Lenses,” and “We All Float.”
While there’s no extensive aggregated critic score, user ratings often place the album around 71/100 — generally positive among listeners.
Cover Art Description
The album’s cover shows a close‑up portrait of vocalist Geike Arnaert against a neutral background. Her gaze and expression are the focus, with subdued tones that reflect the album’s introspective and stylistically dual nature: intimate (original disc) and avant‑electronic (remix disc). The simple photographic aesthetic highlights the human element behind the music.
Fun Facts & Trivia
🎧 Double Format Innovation:
Hooverphonic created a conceptual double album, where the second disc contains remix versions of the first 11 songs — a bold statement on reinterpretation and sonic contrast.
🎶 Singles & Standouts:
Four tracks were promoted as singles, each representing different facets of Hooverphonic’s evolving style: “You Hurt Me,” “Wake Up,” “Dirty Lenses,” and “We All Float.”
🎛️ Title Track Sampling:
The song “No More Sweet Music” incorporates a sample from Henry Mancini’s composition Lujon — blending cinematic elements with modern trip‑hop.
📀 DualDisc Edition:
A special DualDisc edition included Dolby Digital 5.1 surround mixes and music videos, plus documentaries and interviews, enhancing the multimedia experience of the release.
🎤 Final Album on Sony:
This was Hooverphonic’s last studio album with Sony BMG before moving on — their next release was the singles compilation Singles ’96–’06.
