CD Review
Artist: Hospital Bombers
Title: Footnotes
Label: Excelsior Recordings/Saved By Radio
Released: October 21, 2008

Reviewed by: Leah Mertz (Alberta Correspondent)

Half way around the world in Amsterdam, Holland only the fun sounds of Indie music were being mashed together by way of cutesy beats and imaginative artistry. With a genre that is seemingly ambiguous and a name sure to puzzle even the open minded, Hospital Bombers has landed here from across the pond with stories to tell and inevitable creative territory to explore.

Their debut album, ‘Footnotes’ is a varied collection of tunes with outspoken lyrics and catchy riffs. With a group composed of only one girl out of four band mates, it was really nice to hear such pronounced female vocals. The songs are all primarily sung as male leads; it was a nice touch that created the sound of a duet rather than the typical solo vocal. It was also refreshing to hear on several tracks the use of a violin. Its vintage presence added a classic and mature sound that created beautiful juxtaposition. It was indeed lovely, but at times, veered dangerously close into country music territory. Most of the tracks seem vaguely reminiscent of other acts we’ve heard before; however Hospital Bomber’s story and clear dedication to their craft is evident enough through their songs. People don’t just make this stuff up overnight.

Purely for logical reasons, I will humbly attempt to dub their sound as off-centered pop. After listening to each song, it was sadly the only description I could come up with. This was due to a combination of hearing simple predictable pop chord progressions, crazy unpredictable lyrics, heavily layered recordings, and only about six different instruments. The elements are all there but somehow surpassed a feeling of a decisive sound we can associate as Hospital Bombers. After a while it seemed like it has been something I have heard many times before. However, I’m not complaining. I always love a good song that you can hum along to the first time you hear it. Perhaps their randomness is something European Indie’s like to toy with; I give them huge credit. This is only their first North American attempt, but their sound is unique and likeable enough that I’m sure they will have many more. ‘Footnotes’ succeeds in drumming up an unexpected sunny day even in our frosty Novem-burr. It will be interesting to see what comes of a second album.

Track Listing:
1) Theme
2) Neighborhood
3) Jackoff
4) The Devil’s Music
5) Godwin’s Law
6) Kittens
7) Punk’s Not Dead
8) Plan B
9) Black Box
10) Tighten the Knots
11) Thunderstorm
12) Footnotes
13) fromuphere