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Centaur: The Post-Hum Phoenix Rises
5 Oct
Summary
- Hum's major hit 'Stars' defined their mainstream moment.
- RCA dropped Hum after 'Downward is Heavenward' sold poorly.
- Centaur emerged from former Hum members with a new sound.
The band Hum, recognized for their 1995 hit 'Stars,' experienced a decline in mainstream relevance around the turn of the millennium. Their 1998 album, 'Downward is Heavenward,' sold only 38,000 copies, leading RCA to terminate their contract.
Following a bus accident in 1999 and final reunion shows in December 2000, former Hum members, including vocalist Matt Talbott, formed a new band called Centaur. This project aimed to forge a distinct identity, moving away from comparisons to Hum.
Centaur's debut album garnered praise for its delicate and nuanced production, contrasting with the perceived theatrics of other contemporary music producers. The new sound emphasized Talbott's evolved songwriting, placing a primary focus on his distinct vocals within a simpler dynamic.
