“Milton Hide have produced their finest work to date, straddling folk and rock with a touch of music hall (‘Festival of Freaks’) with ease. ****”
Album review: MILTON HIDE – Bungaroosh
Bandcamp [Release date 19.04.25]
Album number three from the Milton Hide, aka the duo of Jim Tipler (vocals, guitar) and Jo Church (vocals, clarinet) and the album was produced by Dandelion Charm’s John Fowler (who also played drums, guitar & bass). Other musicians who contributed to the album were Phil Jones on double bass, Fred Gregory on mandolin and Bruce Knapp on guitar.
The album’s title Bungaroosh comes from the building trade, referring to walls that were put up cheaply and quickly in the Regency period, mainly in the Brighton and Hove area. These walls were filled with a variety of local, plentiful materials including flint, chalk, pebbles and sand held together with a lime mortar then rendered to give a smooth finish.
The title track of this album acts as a metaphor for people and places in this world that hide their true nature behind a classy facade.
‘Judge, Jury and Executioner’ packs a mighty punch, both lyrically and in the rocking beat. Plus, surely one of the few rock songs to feature a clarinet solo?! Love it! ‘Spoil the Game’ is the other folk rocker on the album, taking a swipe at the UK’s current voting system.
In the more traditional folk sounds the single ‘Simon’s Nick’ hits the musical spot. The acoustic ‘Goldfinch’ with both Jim and Jo on vocals is a beautiful song dedicated to the exotically coloured goldfinch, always a welcome visitor to any garden.
‘Quicksand Calling’ has an epic feel with some gorgeous guitar playing. A haunting song based on the Chinese cockle pickers who died tragically in 2004 at Morecombe Bay.
‘Voodoo Queen’ is a curveball towards the end of the album with its rock n roll beat coupled with a 60’s soundscape. Speaking of sound, the production on the album is crystal clear, allowing each instrument and vocal effect to be heard.
The CD is an excellent package too with a fold out poster/lyric sheet, showing that it is the little extras that make the whole listening experience just that little bit more special.
Milton Hide have produced their finest work to date, straddling folk and rock with a touch of music hall (‘Festival of Freaks’) with ease. ****
Review by Jason Ritchie