Review of John Hoban's new CD "Castlebar Station" by Paul Holmes.

Upon hearing the new John Hoban album, "Castlebar Station" for the first time it was an instant liking. That struck me as odd, as that is rare for me, especially, with such an extreme album as this. It usually takes a while for the music to "grow on me." But what attracted me was diversity, the variety, the rawness, the honesty. The music is very much Ireland, very much Mayo, very much Castlebar, yet magically universal. Above all it is very much John. And I wasn't long into the album when a thought struck me, and has stayed ever since. It is the same qualities mentioned above that I see in the music of another musical hero of mine, Max Cavalera from Brazil. Like John, Max's music is of the heart and soul, and is strongly influenced by his home, his life, his experiences. Max formed his first group, Sepultura, at the age of 14, along with this brother Igor. They went from poor ubringing in Brazil to international stardom. After leaving Sepultura, Max formed Soulfly. Like John's music, Soulfly's sound is universal, yet very much influenced by the country of it's origin. Two artists from different worlds, one from Ireland, one from Brazil--one with roots in Irish music and song, one with roots in the Death Metal scene of Brazil--How could I say there's a comparison. Yet I see it there, and as John himself taught me, "there is no division in music." Two hearts beating as one. Two souls bleeding every word, every note, every sound, believing it, living it, breathing it. Sure they wouldn't do it otherwise.