Knowing the great Scouse tradition for all things psych-pop and the Merseyside obsession for Arthur Lee's Love (whose legendary "Forever Changes" includes a tune called "Maybe The People Would Be The Times, Or Between Clark & Hilldale" lest we forget), and you'd initially wonder if The Great Northwestern Hoboes would be set on a paisley homage with this, their debut single "Between Catharine And Hope."
However, while "Between Catharine And Hope" is indeed a delicious paean in tribute to the area between two of Liverpool's most estimable streets, it's a skadillion miles away from Mr.Lee and co's baroque masterpiece. Indeed, boasting an easily memorable, (bitter)sweet tune, with a vaguely Caribbean lilt, "...Catharine..." is a typically undeniable slice of jangly Scouse brilliance, featuring dead-on harmonies and even a cool, speeded-up buskabilly mid-section. Mega.
The two B-sides are further proof of singer Marc Hannon's burgeoning songwriting skills too. "World Spins Around" is again from the classic Scouse pop mould, with a faint sea shanty feel, a gritty vocal delivery and the world-weariness of Messrs.Mavers and Head. Robbie Taylor's attractive, hayseed banjo is a further boon and the whole thing is simple, sweet and affecting, which is something you could also say about final tune "Lost At Sea", where Hannon is alone with his skeletal acoustic and imploring "Don't you know I'm lost? Find me" like a young Michael Head. It's fragile, best left unadorned and truly quite lovely.
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According to their press release, the Hoboes are currently working on their next single and their debut album. One can only hope so, as this is a beautifully untainted first salvo. I don't wanna rush things, like, but can we have some more soon, please?
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