Miscellaneous Heathen

I drove out to L.A. to see my buddy Eugene Edwards at his CD release party at Taix on Saturday night. John Hoskinson was opening up and sitting in with the Edwards band. I knew that John's CD had just come out, and I had already read a few very favorable reviews. I had planned on picking one up based on the reviews alone, but I really didn't know much of the material outside of a demo CD that he had passed on to me about a year ago. After witnessing his solo acoustic set, I was sold... or at least the CD was... to me! All it took was an intimate performance to seal the deal.

Upon popping the CD in on my way home, I was a little uneasy about the full band representations that contrasted with the show I just absorbed. Still, I made my way through it, and by the second listen, I found myself actually preferring the fleshed-out arrangements. Instantly, John can draw comparisons to the individual Finn Brothers, but the proof that he is a uniquely gifted artist is in the songwriting. John proves this throughout the Miscellaneous Heathen album. In fact, when you find yourself admitting that you could be the poster child for "It's Not My Place," or that you wished you could even compose the awkward scenario in "She Still Plays Around," or you reminisce of your parents love for each other with a song like "I Hope I Die Before You Do"... the album becomes part of you. A welcome addition. This album quickly grew on me, and it's no surprise that it's getting local airplay. Excellent. Hooray for another P.I.T. player! Incidentally, Caroline has been playing "It's Like Cigarettes" non-stop.

Folks, John is playing a lot, and probably in your town. I recommend you go check him out, or at least enhance your CD collection with Miscellaneous Heathen. You won't regret it. You can check out some sound samples and pick one up at http://www.johnhoskinson.com/.