john hoskinson: miscellaneous heathen, review by Alan Haber. buhdge

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Miscellaneous Heathen John Hoskinson Kaopeoths (2004) "I Belong to You," the third song on John Hoskinson's glorious new CD, Miscellaneous Heathen, extols the virtues of belonging to someone on a sunny day; the message is delivered atop a thumping, happy-go-lucky beat, and with an infectious chorus and a relentlessly positive outlook. It is only one of the grand virtues of this terrific album. Multi-instrumentalist Hoskinson is from the singer-songwriter end of the music spectrum, painting his sounds in fairly spare tones so every element of every song is clear and discernible. Beautifully mixed and mastered by pop underground favorite Joe Ongie, Miscellaneous Heathen showcases Hoskinson's warm, expressive voice, which bears a striking similarity to that of the ex-Gin Blossoms singer, Robin Wilson. This is demonstrated perhaps no better than on the tuneful, mid-paced "Going Nowhere," a song the Blossoms could well have covered in their Wilson-led days. But don't look to Miscellaneous Heathen for simply a retro fix, although its heart is firmly, I think, in yesterday's approach to music. This is an album for the here and now, a collection of well-written songs that speak to the heart in all of us. The opener, "I Hope I Die Before You Do," heralds the arrival of a true original with its unusual, upbeat take on real live true love. "Perhaps it's fine if we go at the same time," Hoskinson sings. I am particularly taken with the beautiful ballad "It's Like Cigarettes." The line "Nothing ever comes to rest until you let it go" resonates long after the song is over, as do the words and hooks that propel this album's other 10 songs. Miscellaneous Heathen is a true find. Alan Haber buhdge August 23, 2004
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Miscellaneous Heathen
John Hoskinson
Kaopeoths (2004)

John Hoskinson's Miscellaneous Heathen "I Belong to You," the third song on John Hoskinson's glorious new CD, Miscellaneous Heathen, extols the virtues of belonging to someone on a sunny day; the message is delivered atop a thumping, happy-go-lucky beat, and with an infectious chorus and a relentlessly positive outlook. It is only one of the grand virtues of this terrific album.

Multi-instrumentalist Hoskinson is from the singer-songwriter end of the music spectrum, painting his sounds in fairly spare tones so every element of every song is clear and discernible. Beautifully mixed and mastered by pop underground favorite Joe Ongie, Miscellaneous Heathen showcases Hoskinson's warm, expressive voice, which bears a striking similarity to that of the ex-Gin Blossoms singer, Robin Wilson. This is demonstrated perhaps no better than on the tuneful, mid-paced "Going Nowhere," a song the Blossoms could well have covered in their Wilson-led days.

But don't look to Miscellaneous Heathen for simply a retro fix, although its heart is firmly, I think, in yesterday's approach to music. This is an album for the here and now, a collection of well-written songs that speak to the heart in all of us. The opener, "I Hope I Die Before You Do," heralds the arrival of a true original with its unusual, upbeat take on real live true love. "Perhaps it's fine if we go at the same time," Hoskinson sings.

I am particularly taken with the beautiful ballad "It's Like Cigarettes." The line "Nothing ever comes to rest until you let it go" resonates long after the song is over, as do the words and hooks that propel this album's other 10 songs.

Miscellaneous Heathen is a true find.

Alan Haber
buhdge
August 23, 2004