I won't be saying goodbye to Mr Album! (The Trick To Life - The Hoosiers)

Member Name: ~*pink-pilgrim*~

Product:	The Trick To Life - The Hoosiers
Date:	08/01/08 (455 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: great vocal talent, excellent instrumentals

Disadvantages: a disappointing end to the album

I fell in love with the Hoosiers when 'Worried about Ray' came out. I was fascinated by the rather feminine but butch, husky voice of Irwin Sparkes almost similar to the Eurythromics. I instantly recognised parts of the tune as I had the song on my MP3 player and it took me a while to get it but when I said to my other half "that woman is singing a song by the turtles" he said "don't be silly" but I knew I recognised it and if you listen very carefully it has strong similarities between the Turtles Happy Together, but it is a man singing it.

I soon forgot about them until their next single "Goodbye Mr A" came on the radio and I found it as good as the first. I was given the CD as a birthday present and was very happy; I really enjoy listening to the CD. Some songs are upbeat and jolly and others are quite gentle and calming, I think there is a good mix on the CD.

THE HOOSIERS
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The three piece band come from Exeter, Reading and Stockholm and claim to be similar to Indie but not 'cool enough'. Their first single 'Worried About Ray' was released July 2007 and I felt it was a very good upbeat summer tune. It only got to number 5 I felt it deserved to get a little higher. Their second single 'Goodbye Mr A' reached number 4 in October 2007 but again I felt it was slightly better than that.

WHAT I THINK OF THE TRACKS
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The CD has a good mixture of upbeat, toe-tapping tunes as well as the slower, more ballad type tunes. I was a little disappointed with the album as my two favourite songs are those released prior to the album.

Track 1 - Worried About Ray
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This was the song that really got me into the Hoosiers. I was instantly taken in by the curious voice of Irwin Sparkes. The song was upbeat and the lyrics quite inquisitive "who is Ray?" For a while I was sure the voice was of a woman, Sinead O'Connor, Eurythmics etc and was amazed to see a man singing on 'The Hits'.

The tune is very similar to the Turtles - Happy Together and I do really like that particular song so I was familiar with it. I have seen a few complaints about plagiarism but I think the use of the tune was quite clever, but each to their own.

Track 2 - Worst Case Scenario
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This song is very interesting it starts with a similar beat/rhythm to 'Wake up' by the Boo Radleys and then has an interesting clap beat similar to a cheerleading tune. But the song soon kicks in and is very upbeat. This is their next song to be released. It is played quite a lot on Radio One at the moment. Like a few of their songs I needed to listen to the song a few times to get the great effects from it.

Track 3 - Run Rabbit Run
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This song as a slightly darker feel to it and has a rather haunting feel to it. It is slightly chilling and unlike the first two tracks on the CD adopts more of an Indie/ballad style. It is still a very good song with some thought provoking lyrics. The chorus in this tune is very nice with shaky lyrics and again Irwin's voice sounds more feminine. At first I really didn't like this song but after a few times it has grown on me and I do quite like the song.

Track 4 - Goodbye Mr A
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This is quite an upbeat, toe-tapping and jolly song. I love this song and is probably the track that made me want the album. My mum heard this one for the first time before Christmas and said she would like to hear more as it gave her that happy feel. It is a rather jokey tune and is quite funny. I can't help bounce along to the happy rhythm. In fact my last name starts with 'A' and it was rather funny singing it to my dad when he was annoying me the other day...of course its not really his style.

Track 5 - A Sadness Runs through Him
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A slower song but certainly not lacking creativity and passion. I love this song as it has a slightly deeper meaning and the lyrics are rather thought provoking. The calming tune is lovely to listen to.

Track 6 - Clinging on for Life
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This is probably the only romantic, love song on the album and is rather lovely. The lyrics are simplistic but thought provoking. It is a lovely ballad and is quite similar to

The instrumental in the background is beautiful and without the crazy singing present in the other tunes it was probably the first time I recognised the instrumental rather than the excellent but overpowering lyrics of Irwin.

Track 7 - Cops and Robbers
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I just love this song; it is rather upbeat but has some funny lyrics. Its one of those songs you can really sing along to. It has that funky 'Hoosiers' style and the lyrics 'blame Simon' are quite funny. I like the toe-tapping beat, its just one of those cheerful songs.

Track 8 - Everything Goes Dark
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This is the sort of song I could imagine listening to on a tropical beach but the song soon starts to kick in and is slightly more upbeat. The vocals again of Irwin makes this song a very interesting one. It is not as upbeat as some of the other songs but again it's a good song and I really enjoyed listening to it.

Track 9 - Killer
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This song is very chilling but excellently structured. I really liked this song and as a huge fan of Muse I would compare it to some of the work of Muse. This song has a more 'Indie' feel as well as keeping their famous wooohoowoohoo lyric between verses. It's the type of song that would be quite forgettable if heard on the radio and would probably go unnoticed. But after a few plays I loved it. I loved the high pitched vocals of Irwin at the end of the track giving it that slightly haunting feel, but a great end to a wonderful track.

Track 10 - The Trick to Life
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Rather Jeff Buckley/Nik Kershaw inspired at the beginning but it soon kicks into a more powerful beat and the instrumental in the background is lot stronger. This track has a very strong 'Indie' feel to it and again Irwin's vocals are great and unlike the high pitched vocals are pleasant to listen to rather than chandelier shattering... a good track.

Track 11 - Money to be Made
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I wasn't as keen on this song and felt that as an album end it was very weak and I didn't go much on it. Really it's quite an unmemorable song. I don't know why I think of Oasis when I hear this but it is a really slow, dreary song to finish the album. I would imagine that anywhere else on the album it would sound better and its only problem is that it end the album, a very good album on a downer.

THE CD
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The CD comes in four different cover colours (yellow, Red, Green or Blue). The cover has the Hoosiers - The Trick to Life with some rather spooky eyes underneath, its basic but effective and draws you in.

If inserted into a computer it comes up with a title page where you can play the CD or view hidden features. The hidden feature includes a Bonus Track - The feeling you get when...which is a very peculiar track leaving you slightly bemused. The track is interesting though but I can see why they hid it :-p

There is also the ability to learn how to play the Guitar 'Hoosier Style', download ringtones and footage of radio interviews and TV shows.

SUMMARY
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The Hoosiers have been subject to much criticism for apparently ripping off other bands and for being slightly 'uncool'. I love their style whether it uses parts of other songs. I mean Madonna used parts of the ABBA song in her single 'Hung Up and was very popular for it.

Their album is one of the most original ones I have on my shelf and they are not afraid to experiment. I personally love the album even though it was not what I had been expecting. It did 'grow' on me and I am now listening to it every day. I love it and as soon as I can it will be copied onto my new MP3 player.

***HIGHLY RECOMMENDED***

Summary: I love this album!