HOLY MATTERS, Marlon Hoffman’s New Album Co-Produced with Davey Johnstone

Robert Morgan Fisher Reviews this “Collaboration between kindred spirits”

“Holy Matters,” the titular lead-off track, of Marlon Hoffman’s new album, co-written with Major Wynn, takes care to get one’s full attention with a narrative arc comprised of vignettes all with a gentle, hypnotic, singular message: Take Care of Yourself and Each Other. The video for this song has Hoffman spooling out the story, addressing the camera directly with no flashy gimmicks or cutaways. Reminiscent of a Kevin Godfrey and Lol Crème video. It’s almost—dare I say it?—like a prayer or invocation. But man, does he sell it. Very simple, highly-effective stripped-down Tam Johnstone (Davey’s son) production that puts Hoffman’s voice (and face) front and center. All we really have to give each other at the end of the day is our vulnerability and humility. And Marlon Hoffman delivers a truckload of the latter while engaging the listener with a broad palette of dynamic vocal turns.

Suicide Ride

The stakes are high, as the second track, “Suicide Ride,” makes clear with co-producer Davey Johnstone’s unmistakable guitar work distorted to delicious Keith Richards heights. And speaking of “Keef,” Holy Matters showcases throughout perfectly stacked vocals by Rolling Stones vocalist Bernard Fowler and Davey. The buoyant, rock party production, replete with scorching slide break, belies the song’s darker truth that performative excess is a dead-end. Written by Johnstone and Rick Otto, the song was handed off to Marlon Hoffman because they knew he’d run away with it. Clearly a collaboration between kindred spirits. *Suicide Ride is Now Streaming Everywhere

“SUICIDE RIDE” No negotiation, this is badass rock ‘n’ roll at its best, give me more, give me more, give me more!”

Denny Seiwell (Original member of Wings)

Sun in Denver

The third track, “Sun in Denver” is primarily about Marlon’s son. The intentional misspelling of “son” of course holds a double meaning. It’s about estrangement, regret and reconciliation. A healing song that describes making one’s way back through familial dysfunction and then taking stock of what really matters. An ultimately happy song with an absolutely appropriate yodeling chorus, searing honesty propelled by lush acoustic instrumentation (those Johnstone mandolins!). There’s also accordion by the legendary Phil Parlapiano (Bonnie Raitt and John Prine) and the stacked vocals on this one summon Johnstone’s early work with Elton. 

Om Namah Shivaya (Lady in Paris)

“Om Namah Shivaya (Lady in Paris)” shifts into up-tempo jingle-jangle electric 12-string rock territory. A surefire single in the Tom Petty tradition. It’s a cryptic globe-trotting tale of glamour. The phrase translates: I bow down to Shiva. And between the lines, it’s doubtful that even the “10 thousand followers!” constantly sung by Davey and Bernard Fowler in the refrain can possibly fill that void. Interestingly, the bass part on this song was a homage to Davey’s late friend, Who bassist John Entwistle.

Midnight Moon

Track five is the perfect spot for a power-ballad and “Midnight Moon” doesn’t disappoint. Full of the kind of reflective moments Marlon’s known for, he alludes to “sinking to the bottom” and those “sharks”—the setting for the song appears to be the Florida Keys but this is an emotional island he’s stranded on, despite the idyllic surroundings. The song captures the seductive paradise of addiction that makes swimming back to the safe shoal of recovery so daunting yet necessary.

I Believe

“I Believe” is, as they say, a list-poem, an inventory. It begins with some of Johnstone’s prettiest electric fingerpicking on the entire record (reprised at the end). This is one of the strongest tracks on Holy Matters, full of conviction and love for all—even those dying whales, dammit! The interplay between Johnstone’s acoustic 12-string and electric, as well as the backing vocals, recall “Rocket Man” but make no mistake, this is one of the most signature Hoffman songs he’s ever recorded. A track sure to be replayed dozens of times on repeat.

I Can’t Talk to You No More

“I Can’t Talk to You No More” showcases Hoffman’s authentic Punk bona fides. If you were a club DJ in the late 70s/early 80s, on the eve of Punk’s absorption into mainstream rock, this is the kind of song you’d be fighting to get into rotation: driving dance beat, gutsy lyrics with social commentary between the lines. The kind of song you hear now and think: Was that one of those early MTV gems? When Marlon Hoffman reaches into his musical toolbox for a 9-pound Punk Hammer—as he will do from time to time—pay attention. He was there, and he’s here now.

Red Robe

“Red Robe” follows. It’s a perfectly-placed palate cleanser. Lush, layered ukeleles by Johnstone (the instrument a UK staple since the dawn of time—every home there has a uke), still more mandolins, and Johnstone/Fowler stacked harmonies. The song and it’s placement recall McCartney’s retro turns—i.e. “Your Mother Should Know,” “Honey Pie,” “When I’m Sixty-Four,” et cetera. It’s a 180-degree turn from rock and roll but the contrast generated by such sentiment actually balances things out quite nicely and returns the listener to Holy Matters’ unstoppable acoustic heart.  

Runnin’ Outta Road

The penultimate cut, “Runnin’ Outta Road,” another one penned by Davey Johnstone and Rick Otto is one of the most interesting cuts on Holy Matters. Davey plays almost everything except drums (that would be his very talented son Jesse Johnstone). But the song clearly demonstrates why Johnstone delegated lead vocals to Marlon. Davey Johnstone is no slouch as a vocalist but this song fits Marlon Hoffman’s voice like a custom-tailored suit. The way they stick the abrupt cold end packs a wallop, leaving the listener to imagine his or herself alone somewhere near Joshua Tree, night falling… Truly a song destined to be a choice needle-drop in the soundtrack of countless future movies and TV shows requiring that particular atmosphere of despair and desolation. *Runnin’ Outta Road will be released August 9th and is available for presale on apple music. For a pre-release listen go to Marlon Hoffman YouTube Channel here.

Grandpa Dave

“Grandpa Dave” closes out Holy Matters with the pile-driving drums of Steve Ferrone from Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers. The song’s titular hook (…send my love to Grandpa Dave!) comes out of nowhere and we never find out anything about Grandpa Dave but the refrain makes complete sense, coming at the end, as it does, of each mysterious verse. This song is an old Hoffman chestnut from his live shows that he’s recorded several times but now, with this lineup, he finally got the chemistry he was looking for. Ferrone, Johnstone obviously, the mighty John O’Kennedy contributing guitar (but who also adds mandolin and Weissenborn slide elsewhere on the record). Likewise rock-steady bassist Jody Daley-Lovett holds down the bottom on the majority of Holy Matters tracks. Somewhere up there, Grandpa Dave is smiling.

Please show some love to our friend, Robert Morgan Fisher – August 2024

The album HOLY MATTERS will be released in September but you can hear the first singles now at Marlon Hoffman Music on YouTube

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