"These guys come loaded with quality old-school styling as they use classical training to make their 'deliberate pop' creations. And it works".
Arne Sjostedt, The Canberra Times

'A distinctive sound. Very, very interesting'.
Cameron Wilson, ABC Radio National's Bush Telegraph

'An album of exquisite songs'.
Amy Bastow, JOY FM 94.9 (Kiss My Arts)

'A really unique album'.
www.aussieplaylist.com


Having carved out a career in the industry behind the desk, recording and producing albums for Last Kinection and a little known hip hop outfit Hilltop Hoods, Gareth Hudson decided to get out from behind the desk and start recording his own compositions. Enlisting the help of Newcastle three piece string ensemble, Ensemble Arc, Hudson has found the vehicle to make his complex arrangements come to life. In an Ocean of Sacrifice is a wonderful display of musicianship, from writing, performance, arrangement, and production.

The album can be best categorized as Melancholy Pop. The string arrangements add the sense of sadness and reflection to songs that, played any other way, would be seen as indie folk/pop. Hudson has a voice that is strangely familiar, yet I can't quite pin down a direct similarity. His use of quirky loops, especially in more upbeat tracks such as in "Happy Happy Joy Joy" (old Ren & Stimpy reference, perhaps!?) and the lighter moments in the album give a good balance to the more sombre tracks. To use a clique term, 'light and shade' really does apply to Hudson Arc's music. "1000 Hearts" carries a longing emotion. "Somewhere, Somehow, Someday" is more mechanical and stark, with the use of auto tuned vocals and piano loops - it's darker and feels more sinister, especially compared to rock flavourings of "Crazy About The End", which could easily end up on any radio rotation.

Each track has its own personality that you pick up on with more listens. "The Woman Next Door" is a heavy track underlined by didgeridoo and power chords. "London Town" sounds like a train chugging along a suburban rail line, while final track "Live Your Fantasy" is an indie pop/rock gem that rounds out a great debut record. The quality in the songs need to be appreciated when four talented musicians work together under the guidance of its chief songwriter to produce a record this good. Review Score - 9/10
The AU Review

I think I’d like to marry a pirate, for a year or two, just to see what it’s like. Now just when you think yet another standard album of caramelised folk has tickled your ear holes, midway through Hudson Arc’s first track,Prologue, the sound erupts into a battle of the Pirates Of The Caribbean. I just wanna poke and prod my silver sword around, shoot down a few Wendy Birds and go on a swashbuckling hunt with The Lost Boys.

It appears as though Hudson Arc have prepared the perfect soundtrack for Peter Pan and Tiger Lily’s wedding, like a pirate ballroom. The vocals have a very distinct punk feel, but being placed against hectic banjo and fingerpicked guitar riffs allows the sounds to somehow complement one another. Then, just as you think you’ve understood the workings of their sound, these bizarre moments of didgeridoo and electronic business get thrown into the mix, just to shake it up a bit. Even more bizarre is the fact that this actually works!

These kids have created an entirely new genre on their own – let’s call it Pirate Punk Folk – which takes your standard folk and going all pirate on its arse. Shiver me timbers.
Sharni Honor - Rip It Up Magazine, Adelaide

“In An Ocean of Sacrifice” - Hudson Arc have brought us an addictive debut CD that features mixed media, new colours, skilful performances and quality production. Hudson’s songwriting is expertly crafted, honest and real, with new sounds, ideas and structures that transport us through emotional highs and lows. Vocal and instrumental sounds can be strained and tortured or effortless to reflect the text and mood. This recording is an honest journey that inspires us to hear it over and over again. As Hudson tells us in the opening line, ‘Art is like a person if it’s good it never lies’.
Capree Gaul - NIMA (Newcastle Improvised Music Association)