The music of Halou is as varied as the cast of characters they’ve worked with or performed with: DJ Shadow, Lyrics Born, Frank Sinatra, Galactic, Blackalicious, John Cale, Low, No Doubt and even a Rod Stewart remix which hit #1 on Billboard. The band's music was included on one of TV’s hottest shows, CSI, and they’ve scored two award-winning films.
On the other hand, the music is easily identified as trip hop, a name that a number of the groups so tagged and I share a dislike for, although I’m not sure if for the same reasons. The tag of trip hop apparently evolved from hip hop’s migration to the UK, and their musicians putting a local spin on the music. Ergo, trip hop. At least that’s what Wikipedia says.
As a rule, there’s very little hip hop which I care to hear. To be sure, I usually switch the station if I hear it. Trip hop, however, is in no way connected with hip hop that I can see, at least nothing readily identifiable, and I occasionally listen to it. I listen to it less than I like, since there seem to be so few places on the radio dial to hear it. The proliferation of Internet music, however, has changed that for the good. We can all listen to much more of the music we prefer now, rather than what some marketing wonk dictates. I think it’s time for somebody to come up with a different name for this genre of music, something more fitting. Electropop doesn’t quite fit, although it’s probably closest.
Overall, this CD is a very easy listen, with remarkable voice, electronics, backup and engineering. The combination of synthesized and organic music is weaved to perfection, with just enough new wave and dance beats. The group deserves wider distribution and listening.
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