Beauty In Madness

The title of Hobotalk's first album is Beauty in Madness, but the title is slightly misguiding. It could as well, or rather, have been self-titled, since without being a concept album, it is a continuous story of wandering. According to some interviews it is Marc Pilley's own, with the turning point on the album represented by the song "Jackdaw." The album is full of romanticized hobo life, starry skies, people unable to settle down, and memories following them around on their trips. And since it lacks a humoristic twist but relies on sentimental and emotional narration, it could easily have become pathetic. But Marc Pilley manages to make it sound genuinely honest without embarrassing listeners. At times the songs even get intensely beautiful, like on "Never Said When," being grateful for the nights not being cold. The whole album goes in a slow Neil Young-ish Harvest Moon tempo, with acoustic guitars, slow organs, and sparse drums. An occasional foot stomping on wooden boards and an occasional Dobro guitar give a country atmosphere, but the album has more in common with the American singer/songwriter tradition. And accordingly, Marc Pilley's voice and the stories he tells are the main attractions here, even though the other instruments are often delicately arranged. ~ Lars Lovén|