A Pop Heaven for Miscellaneous Heathens
Reviewed by Warren Allen / The OC, California on July 23, 2004
John Hoskinson regularly delivers sit-up-and-take-notice live performances of these songs, solo and with his talented friends. They sound even better on this new album, which sounds very expensive indeed, but is really all about John's ability to capture his talent, with some help from the studio smarts of comrades like Joe Ongie. John sings like the angels, and his voice is very much to the fore here, just where you'd want it to be. Beyond that, the album is full of lovely instrumental parts that delicately interlace his thoughtful ballads and spectacularly propel his rockin' pop knockouts. John himself plays most of these parts, but he's not above drafting in groove monsters like Eugene Edwards and Mike 'Soupy' Sessa to rock his boat. This album illustrates well the many Hoskinsons that comprise John. Just when you think you understand what he sounds like, the next tracks steams off into altogether different territory. It's all of one piece, though, thanks to John's beautiful voice, the sound of the instruments, and the crystalline production. One more thing. There are some outstanding songs here, that you really should not attempt to live without: 'I Hope I Die Before You Do' -- the brilliant up-tempo opening track, with unabashedly appreciative lyrics that will make you wish it was you that John married. Eugene and Mike levitate this one to power-pop elysium. :: 'Uncharacteristic' -- a very inventive and spirited acoustic-guitar based song, which could stand proudly as an instrumental, but is graced by a compelling and intelligent vocal. The only thing better than this is to hear John perform it live. :: 'When She Speaks' -- a gorgeous and intricate song with extraordinary lyrics ("Let's watch the logic... pour through the cracks... / She likes to think her laughter... trumps all of the facts.") Irresistible. :: 'Time Will Tell' -- an evocative song, very richly arrayed in Abbey Road shadings, but with much that is uniquely JH. A strong performance by characters from John's Left Hand Band (ca. 2003), including captivating bass playing from Sarah Walsh. :: 'It's Like Cigarettes' -- an especially good song, or so I'm convinced -- certainly the one I cannot get enough of. Framed in substantial observations ("Nothing ever comes to rest until you let it go.") and rendered in an understated but powerful vocal, and laced with affecting guitar parts (played by the author) it's a very good omen for the future of Hoskinson's songwriting. Very good songs, very well captured! I'm very happy to have this album, and I'll be staying tuned for whatever Hoskinson comes up with next. Pick it when you next catch him live, or snag it here and now from CD Baby.
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