Description
#hydroplane #vinyl #vinylrecords
“Selected Songs 1997-2003 is a compilation that celebrates the recording history of Hydroplane, the indie-pop trio from Melbourne that operated alongside The Cat’s Miaow during the late nineties. This album, released by World Of Echo, is the third installment in a series that showcases the music created by these friends in Melbourne sharehouses and while touring the International Pop Underground.
Comprised of core members Andrew Withycombe, Bart Cummings, and Kerrie Bolton, Hydroplane shares a distinct connection to The Cat’s Miaow. With drummer Cameron Smith residing in London, the trio used this opportunity to expand their musical horizons. Hydroplane’s music embraced a more open-ended approach compared to the minimalist pop style of The Cat’s Miaow. Their sound effortlessly blended loops, drones, house-like shuffle beats, and the ethereal tones of a Roland Jupiter-4 synth with their captivating melodies. Though initially planning to release only a single, the group’s enchanting sound prolonged its lifespan, resulting in the release of three albums, including their self-titled debut reissued by Efficient Space, and seven singles.
This compilation album captures the essence of Hydroplane’s music, showcasing their entrancing repetition reminiscent of the gentler side of Krautrock and the intimate charm of Stereolab. The dreamy, meandering guitars transport the listener to a hazy, otherworldly realm, evoking comparisons to My Bloody Valentine’s “Instrumental.” Kerrie Bolton’s exquisite vocals add an additional layer of beauty to songs like “The Love You Bring,” fusing ambient tonal floats with dance rhythms. Hydroplane’s fusion of experimentalism and dance music aligns them with contemporaries like Hood, Acetate Zero, and Other People’s Children, as well as renegade labels such as Wurlitzer Jukebox and Enraptured.
Their music captures the intrinsic elements of independent pop music – melodically sweet yet melancholic, adorned with chiming guitars and drifting drones. This compilation album not only reflects the delicate melodies characteristic of The Cat’s Miaow but also showcases Hydroplane’s unique ability to create stripped-down, mesmerizing music that defined the era. In 1997, Hydroplane’s single “We Crossed The Atlantic” gained recognition when it was repeatedly played on John Peel’s renowned radio show, reaching number 13 on his 1997 Festive 50.
The fact that the song was a cover of a tune by 1960s Australian beatnik-pop-poet Pip Proud added another layer of perfection – a group of outsiders paying homage to another outsider, receiving airplay on one of the few broadcasters bold and compassionate enough to embrace their music.
During this time, boundaries between genres were blurred, allowing folk songs to embrace drone, indie to rediscover noise, and ambient pop to merge onto the dancefloor. Despite being isolated in Melbourne, Australia, Hydroplane played a significant role in this scene, quietly driving its innovative spirit.
This double album compilation skillfully brings together material from the band’s brief yet influential career, perfectly capturing the enchantment and enigma of Hydroplane’s dreamlike, flawless pop songs.”
