John Hoskinson - Miscellaneous Heathen

Featuring Not Lame fave Eugene Edwards, John Hoskinson`s debut CD is in the vein of Edwards` striking debut with its classic mining of pop archetypes but there`s a lot of the Candy Butchers in here. A lot. Evocations of ELO, Gin Blossoms, Neil Finn/Crowded House(he sounds a lot, vocally, like Neil). And the more we listen to it, we have to push the Neil Finn/Crowded House angle because Hoskinson can reach the songwriting heights of all the giants listed already. Really. This alluring, satisfying and spectacular debut was produced by Not Lame fave Joe Ongie and is saturated with the complex embrace of warmly harmonized vocals throughout and confectionery melodies to bathe in. Each tune here reveals intelligent and cleverly constructed songs with interesting melodic structures, some great harmonies and top quality pop-tastic arrangements while being both an easily to enjoy experience and challenging the ear for the `out of the norm` options out there--all wrapped up with plaintive, beautifully delivered lyrics. "No other 2004 release has enjoyed as much time in my player this year as the debut of John Hoskinson. Armed with a voice that draws natural comparisons to Neil Finn, Hoskinson has a knack for writing instantly memorable songs and finding the right mix of supporting players to render those tunes perfectly. Recommended If you like: Crowded House, Finn Brothers, the Beatles."-Orange County Register Many thanks for Tall Boy Records` Anna Borg for making sure this one did not slip between the cracks. "4 stars... Gorgeous pop craftsmanship from West Coast upstart Fans of densely melodic, melancholy pop will flip for Los Angeleno John Hoskinson`s solo debut. Though he`s been on the periphery of the LA scene for a decade, Miscellaneous Heathen exceeds all expectations. Obsessed with romantic themes of all stripes, his songs, built on acoustic guitar and autumnal piano, revolve around insinuating hooks and a winsome veneer. The bouncy "I Belong To You", with its falsetto chorus, is the showpiece; the more existential numbers, like "Going Nowhere", will reel you back in. The lost link between Rubber Soul and Emitt Rhodes. " Big Time Extremely Highly Recommended!

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