Album -Thousand Miles of Rain
Release Date – 4th September
Review by Linda McDermott
Mike Hoskins is no stranger to music. The singer songwriter has played in several bands over the years, most recently the excellent KinStrife, and has played a whole host of instruments, including keyboards, piano, drums, bass, and guitar. So, to say the man has rhythm is something of an understatement. It is perhaps no surprise, that he has decided to step out on his own with a solo project.
Having already released the single Shadow Of My Bones, Mike has now followed it with his debut album, Thousand Miles of Rain, and it is an impressive introduction to what he can do when the music is entirely his own.
The album kicks off with Barricade, and right from the start that rich, deep voice coming out of the speakers is instantly recognisable. It is a belter of a track and grabs your attention straight away.
The title track follows, with the kind of quality that makes an anthem. Deep and mellow, with a slower, measured rhythm, it is the sort of song that could have a crowd swaying along without even thinking about it, perhaps even reaching for their phone torch to add to the atmosphere.
Pale Moon lifts both the tempo and the beat, making it more of a foot tapper and head nodder. There is plenty of pace and oomph driving it forward, showing that the album is not going to sit in the same mood throughout.
That variety is one of the things that works particularly well about Thousand Miles of Rain. The songs all have their own character, taking you through different moods and tempos as you listen.
Dare To Fall is another song that draws you in, with a chorus that is difficult not to join in with, while Sweet Angel has passion and emotion running right through it. Mike has clearly honed his songwriting skills, and the thought he has put into these tracks comes across throughout the album.
Just Breathe picks up the pace again, with a rhythm that almost mirrors its title, while Shadow Of My Bones brings real emotion to the forefront. Down On The Water builds as it progresses, gradually adding to the feeling of the song, while Someday starts acoustically, giving Mike’s voice plenty of room to shine.
Then there is Hardwick Gyratory, which comes slightly out of the blue and is a statement that lasts 12 seconds before leading into Angry Young Men. This is heavier and faster, with a frantic beat carrying the song along and providing another change of pace.
There are also a couple of added treats at the end of the album. A piano version of Shadow Of My Bones gives the song a completely different feel, stripping it back and allowing the emotion to shine through. I am a sucker for a piano song, and this is beautifully done. The album then closes with an acoustic version of Thousand Miles of Rain, bringing things to a fitting conclusion.
Trying to describe each song individually is actually quite difficult, because although they have their own character, they all share a depth and meaning that runs throughout the album. What is clear is that Mike Hoskins knows how to write a great song.
His songwriting is exceptional but strip everything else away and there is one thing that stands out above all else, that voice. Mike could probably play any instrument, or none at all, and I would still want to listen.
Thousand Miles of Rain is a confident debut from a musician who clearly has plenty more to say.
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