First up, what a superb album. Los Angeles's Hooveriii (the third version of Hoover - geddit) started out as Bert Hoover and a drum machine to a now six piece. They describe themselves as a cross between Bowie in Berlin and Soft Machine. I certainly note the Berlin / Iggy period, but not necessarily Soft Machine.
At times, they are a bit like Hawkwind with more keyboards, but only a bit. Hooveriii are somewhere between Prog and Psych, but definitely at the melodic end of both. The hooks are many and bar the closer, Gone, there are no epics present.
The Space Rock is well upfront, but the material is varied. Shooting Star, for instance is a wonderful slowed down moody affair, whilst We're Both Lawyers relies more on 80's Electronica wrapped up in Kraut Rock, hypnotically so.
Control is the stand out here, you can almost dance to it. However, that is run close by Cindy which is so Bowie Low period. Erasure is more heads down, edging towards Goth, yet Hang 'Em High is a splendid slice of late 60's Psych.
So on to the closer, Gone! Now this does go near to Soft Machine, particularly the drum pattern. It is certainly the nearest they get to full blown Prog. It is a mesmerising part of work, trippy but never dull. Approaching ten minutes, it could only end proceedings and reveals that Hooveriii could veer off in many directions if they so wished,
You can listen to and buy the album here. The Vinyl edition can be bought at all good record shops and
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