Hoi Polloi

Description

The self-titled debut album by the New Zealand founded alternative rock band Hoi Polloi was released on Reunion Records in May 1992. The album was produced by Reed Arvin.

HOI POLLOI: Hoi Polloi (Reunion)

Hoi Polloi, a new band from New Zealand, rocks into the Christian music arena with a driving beat and a strong Message with their self-titled debut release on Reunion Records. Hoi Polloi delivers an album filled with vivid imagery aimed at overturning complacency and inspiring love. Cuts like «Love Without Mercy», «Come To Me» and «The Other Name» are perfect examples of the progressive sound this band has to offer. [CashBox Magazine, May 9, 1992 (Gospel Music section)]

It’s been nearly two years since hoi Polloi’s smashing performance at the Cornerstone festival, remembered by many more for the beauty and engaging personality of singer/songwriter Jenny Gullen than anything remarkable about the band. Hoi Polloi’s eponymously-titled debut proves that this is a serious rock unit made up of capable players, but like the guys behind Chrissie Hynde in the Pretenders, what matters most is the talent and vision of front-woman Gullen.

The comparison to Hynde is not entirely inconsequential. On tracks like «Surrender», there’s a debt of influence although Gullen moves more comfortably to mainstream pop hooks at the core of her own personal rock hurricane. An able and talented unit, guitarist David Ball, bassist Andrew Horst and drummer Jozsef Fityus provide a rock solid platform, a gritty ballast for the emotional pleading of tracks like «Justify Me» and «Satisfy».

The soul of ‘hoi Polloi’, which in Greek means “the masses” (referring to the common folk), are Gullen’s emotional, yet honest lyrics about life and faith. When she sings to God: “You’re the wind in my emotion/ You carry me/ Through the wall of my frustration/ Surrounding me/ And it makes all the difference/ When your love is so intense/ You satisfy,” it rings not only true, it feels essential. A similar sensation pours through Gullen’s identification with a homeless bag woman in «Justify Me» when she cries out “Love won’t you rescue me… / Won’t you rescue me.”

Strong power pop songs, satisfying musicianship and Gullen’s authentic heart-rending vocalizations provide for quite a satisfying listen. Gullen’s limited vocal range (and therefore a certain similarity from track to track) is overcome by the band’s rugged intentionality. They do on thingm but they do it exceptionally well. However, they only do it for nine songs, which in these high priced days of 60 minute CDs seems a bit shy, but better this than 14 tracks of which five are fluff and filler. [Brian Q. Newcomb, CCM, April 1992]

CD tracklist:

01. Rest Tonite – 3:18
02. Satisfy – 4:35
03. The Other Name – 4:33
04. Come To Me – 4:41
05. Surrender To Love – 3:41
06. Justify Me – 3:36
07. Rain – 4:06
08. Old Familiar – 4:13
09. Love Without Mercy – 4:19

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Reunion Records. Also released on 12-inch vinyl LP by Bompastor in Brazil.

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