HOO - Centipede Wisdom - Cassette
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HOO is the brainchild of Black Hearted Brother synth-man/songwriter Nick Holton and Ian McCutcheon (Ex-Slowdive, Mojave 3, Loose Salute). Rich analogue textures and guitar drones star on free form synth experiments reverse fitted to psychedelic songs imbibed with a dusty Englishness all of its own.
Many of the tracks are extended and absorbingly complex. Often humming along to a pop-friendly electronic pulse yet free of conventional song structure, giving a floating quality, always in motion.
Other musicians present include sonic blue blood Neil Halstead (Slowdive) on his Roland Juno, Kevin Wells on dirty rhythm guitar & Robin Bennett on flute. Mostly recorded in HOO’s chapel-like studio in Wallingford, full of 1/2” tape & analogue echo units and a little at Cube in Cornwall. Finished in Brooklyn NY by Heba Kadry who has worked on Beach House, John Maus & Slowdive LPs.
Centipede Wisdom offers a complex array of feelings and settings, but it flows together and feels complete although changing over the sides. Throughout, is a skewed sense of wonder and playful exploration with genuine political bite hidden in the tall grass.