L.A. singer-songwriter hits right note with superb follow-up
Reviewed by Brian Kielty / Liverpool, England on September 29, 2007
Building upon the strong foundations of his excellent debut album 'Miscella... read more
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The Man Behind the Mask
Reviewed by Hillary Manning / Los Angeles, CA on August 02, 2007
This album is truly great. The first time I heard John Hoskinson sing was a... read more
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Fantastico!
Reviewed by Kevin Colebank / Old Saybrook, CT on July 08, 2007
Absolutely the best, most original work that I've heard in a very very long... read more
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Pancho Fantastico is magnifico!
Reviewed by Kat Adibi / Los Angeles, CA on July 08, 2007
I love this CD; it’s pure pop/rock magic! Every song is unique, but they al... read more
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Me like Pancho!
Reviewed by Richard Snow / United Kingdom on July 07, 2007
Another cracker from John. Opens with a piece of ELO-esque power pop magic.... read more
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Great Band
Reviewed by Sharon Riley / Harrisburg, PA on July 06, 2007
The music is very relaxing to listen to what great arangement of songs they... read more
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Tops in Pops!
Reviewed by Mark C. Easter / Missouri on July 06, 2007
Fantastic album... even better than Miscellaneous Heathen, which I didn't t... read more
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Viva Pancho Fantastico!
Reviewed by Lani Anzivino / Seal Beach, CA on July 06, 2007
Pancho Fantastico is a superhero of an album, saving listeners with discern... read more
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Pop with a Twist!
Reviewed by Tina Bold / KUCR-FM / Riverside, CA on July 06, 2007
John Hoskinson is a true poet. His lyrics are excellent. The song arr... read more
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Well Crafted Colorful Pop Music
Reviewed by Boris Kenton / Los Angeles, CA on June 23, 2007
This is the second full-length release from Hoskinson, following the equally noteworthy "Miscellaneous Heathen". "Pancho Fantastico" ups the ante in the arrangement/production department considerably. It's a diverse collection of moods, all the while it stands as a very cohesive batch that work very well together. John is an excellent pop-song craftsman, with a strong voice (think along the timbre of a Neil Finn, or Andy Sturmer of Jellyfish).Stand out cuts include "She's Changing My Mind", "Evolve", the short humorous music hall ditty "Creepy", "She Makes Me Yawn", and the album's gorgeous centerpiece "I Am Not Surprised". I can't say enough about the latter cut. It simply kills me; great lyric, string arrangement to die for. None of the cuts cross the 4 minute mark, making them what I'd call "fat-free". Lots of twists & turns in the chord progressions, and in the production choices. Great guest musician contributions abound in helping frame these songs. The only thing Hoskinson may be guilty of at times, is being too clever, wearing the "craft" part of his artistry on his sleeve. Like Paul McCartney's never been guilty of that? I could've done without the barroom chorus at the end of the record on "We Can Never Be Friends". It sounds like everyone had a great time doing it, yet for me it kind of took away from the song rather than adding to it... perhaps dictating too much that the song's sentiment shouldn't pierce the heart, but simply graze it. The song itself is a bold statement about the nature of infidelity, and I really like the tune. But that's a small thing really. Hoskinson has a wicked sense of humor, and a supreme command of sucking the listener in for 3 minutes at a time. I highly recommend this record.
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American Power Pop With Bite - Well Worth The Trip
Reviewed by Chris Welch / United Kingdom on June 17, 2007
John Hoskinson's latest release is a power pop gem. Full of great melodies,... read more
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Muy Fantastico!
Reviewed by Buddy Love / Los Angeles, CA on June 10, 2007
You will know from a previous review that I deeply admire John Hoskinson, a... read more
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