John Hoskinson: Miscellaneous Heathen

If, like me, you agree there’s a place in the world for intelligent folk-rock, let me direct you to the wonderful debut album from John Hoskinson, Miscellaneous Heathen. Hoskinson is a bit of a throwback to the kind of classic love-songwriting you heard decades ago — complete with strong melodies expressed through clean, dulcet arrangements.

Together with Joe Ongie, Hoskinson has produced a set of eleven winners. He’s not afraid of quiet musical moments, nor does he shy away from optimistic lyrics now and again. He has a warm, friendly voice that’s easy on the ears — expressive and somehow familiar. While Hoskinson plays many instruments (guitar, piano, bass, and then some), he surrounds himself with a talented ensemble of musical friends, including Mike “Soupy” Sessa on drums and Eugene Edwards and Bob Breen on additional guitars.

The album opens with the upbeat piano-driven “I Hope I Die Before You Do”, less a grim death wish than a cute celebration of a love where one can’t imagine going on without the other. The vocals on this track remind me a bit of Cliff Eberhardt. It features some fine lead guitar from Eugene Edwards and an obscure reference to the Swedish founder of Swanson’s TV Dinners.

The mid-tempo ballad “Thanks For Nothing” hearkens back to another era, the music recalling some lazy sunny summer afternoon of yore. Here the singer is sincerely thanking a woman for giving him nothing — somehow her lack of a response saved him, made everything fall right into place. There are some wonderful vocal harmonies, fine Bob Breen guitar, and a superbly haunting piano coda at song’s end.

“I Belong to You” seems a distant musical relative of McCartney’s “Good Day Sunshine”, with its guitar and horn arrangements (Dan Clucas lends some quality trumpets). Hoskinson takes a simple love song and makes it more with some great touches (on bass and guitar and piano). “Waiting for Someone to Call” at times also recalls musical aspects of “Good Day Sunshine”, complete with great horns (and a fine guitar lead by Mr. Edwards). It’s a precious little ditty about climbing the walls with loneliness, waiting for help, a friend, a call, something.

One of my favorites here is the gorgeous “It’s Not My Place.” This lovely lament of a friend’s inability to speak to another’s oncoming train wreck is chock full of poignant observation: “It’s your latest crusade / An endless parade of skeletons and bad decisions / Want to pull you aside / So I can confide you’re headed for a big collision / But I guess it’s not my place / So I stand silent / On the floor that hits your face / The solution may seem clear / From over here / But I guess it’s not my place”. Peter Miller does an excellent job of performing David Walsh’s cello arrangement on this quiet jewel of a song.

The accomplished acoustic guitar introduction to “Uncharacteristic (it must be you)” reminds me of Jason Falkner’s “Both Belong”. This sweet folk song is about a man in love who veers between optimist and pessimist, but believes any uncharacteristic behavior must be due to this love. Again, Dan Clucas provides some great horns.

If there’s any doubt about the talents of Hoskinson, listen to the sweet aural beauty of “When She Speaks”. Here John plays it all, quite masterfully, whilst bemoaning the maddening fact of how his woman “always has a way out.”

Further evidence is found on “Going Nowhere”. Again, Hoskinson does it all save for Mike Sessa’s drums. This is a mellow track about the awkward aftermath following a lover’s indiscretion, and features some sweet chorus harmonies as well as a unique instrumental middle lead (cello, clarinet and mandolin voices mixed together on a mellotron).

“She Still Plays Around” is an upbeat rocker, with shades of Rick Springfield in the last verse. This dilemma in song ponders a friend who finds himself in an extremely awkward situation: “My friend’s got a new girl / Talks about her all of the time / Never seen him so happy / He can’t wait ’til she meets me / One day introduction / Instant recognition / Bite my tongue and I wonder / Should I tell him about her?”

Originally intended to be the title track for an independent movie (that never got finished, alas), the pretty “It’s Like Cigarettes” showcases poignant lyrics written by Shelly Frasier (John’s wife): “It’s like cigarettes / There’s no point – don’t I know / Nothing ever comes to rest / Until you let it go”.

The collaboration between husband and wife for the closing track provides some of the best lyrics on the album. “Time Will Tell” speaks to how the future concedes to history: “She cannot seem / To make herself want to care at all / She’s frozen stiff / Can’t stop the fall / He built himself a prison cell / He can’t conceive / Difference between / His want and need / Time will tell / Your ship may steer itself / To accidental wealth / I wish you well”. Here Bob Breen distinguishes himself on guitar and drums, with Sarah Walsh on bass and David Walsh contributing backing vocals. The track is one of quiet dignity.

John Hoskinson arrives as a mature songwriter from the get-go; a quiet force that deserves a following. He’s got a strong sense of melody, can write the classic middle bridge and (with Joe Ongie) presents intricate arrangements that mix instruments with precision and care.

Miscellaneous Heathen is a most auspicious debut from an artful and talented newcomer specializing in smart, sensitive songs that fit the classic three-to-four minute mold.