Hunting

This debut album from Hunting was first envisaged as a solo
synth-pop project for singer/songwriter Bradley Ferguson (ex-
Joystick, Bradley). We can be grateful he switched gears, turning
this into a cinematic and compelling indie folk-flavoured record.
This is musical melancholy expressed at a very high level, with
sophisticated and subtle instrumental arrangements married to a
gently melodic voice that oft drips sadness. Clear reference
points are Beck and Sparklehorse, as confirmed by the fact
Hunting cover the latter's almost unbearably sad-sounding "It's A
Wonderful Life" as well as "Everytime I'm With You," a co-write by
Sparklehorse, Jason Lytle and Brian Burton.
The remaining eight songs are originals that showcase Ferguson's
talent as a songsmith. He and co-producer/drummer John Raham
assembled one impressive cast list of top Vancouver musicians,
including John Ellis, Paul Rigby (Neko Case), Dustin Bentall,
Darren Parris and Jesse Zubot. Ryan Guldemond of Mother Mother
adds vocals to three cuts, most strikingly on "Patti," the most
energized tune here, while Ferguson proves himself a skilled
multi-instrumentalist, on bass, keyboards, guitars and
glockenspiel (Jessica Yliruusi also rocks the glock on most songs).
A highlight of the dud-free disc is "Everything Will Be Okay," a
sedately-paced tune that features banjo and shimmering steel
guitar (both from Ellis) and swelling strings (per Zubot) that build
to a mild yet satisfying crescendo. Expect plenty of good will for
this Hunting, and deservedly so.
(Nevado) - EXCLAIM!

Love and loss loom large on Hunting's eponymous debut
Hunting 
Hunting (Nevado)
As the story goes, Bradley Ferguson’s early songwriting sessions for his new Hunting project’s self-titled debut were done solo in Europe, and with the sounds of buzzing synths and glitchy programmed beats. A change of heart and a trip back home, however, had him moving from his electronic-minded solo work into a more organic group dynamic, and toward the symphonic indie-folk of the collective’s first release.
The rootsy opener “Aleen Obscene” takes a melancholy tone, with Ferguson’s hushed lines weighing in on the death of its titular character—apparently a lost love. A twist soon takes place, though, when he begins to sound oddly relieved about the matter (“Now she’s gone, I’m glad I’ll never see her again”) atop a swell of cinematic strings, laid-back acoustic strums, and the occasional ghostly shimmer of feedback.
To be sure, sadness is the set’s strong suit. Each quivering whisper delivered on breakup number “Goodbye” arrives like a punch in the gut. Despite its blend of plucky banjo, endearingly cheery glockenspiel, and soul-stirring pedal steel, the frontman’s hook of “Everything will be okay” on the track of the same name seems more like the guy’s just trying to put on a brave face. “It’s a Wonderful Life” likewise takes a turn for the ironic when, over the country tune’s slowly shuffled rhythms and lo-fi Casiotone lines, Ferguson ashamedly admits to being poisoned inside, and no better than “the dog that ate your birthday cake”.
If you’re set on a smooth and easy listen, Hunting’s overall glumness may overpower its elegant soundscapes. If, however, you’re in the mood for a devastating look at love and loss, the debut is right on target. - GEORGIA STRAIGHT

HUNTING, NEVADO RECORDS

Without exactly knowing who he is, you’ve doubtlessly seen Vancouver multi-instrumentalist Bradley Ferguson in a wide variety of bands in anywhere from 100-person, standing-room-only venues to thousand-person seaters. Hunting began as his bedroom project before pulling together a who’s who of fellow musicians to help form the band’s sound. Contributors include Paul Rigby (Neko Case, A.C. Newman), drummer/co-producer John Raham (The Be Good Tanyas, Kelly Joe Phelps), Jessica Yliruusi and violinist Jesse Zubot (Dan Mangan, STARS, Fond of Tigers). Further influence came from Ryan Guldemond (Mother Mother), Dustin Bentall, bassist Darren Parris (Marcy’s Playground, Frazey Ford, Daniel Powter) and banjoist/pedal steel player John Ellis (Jeremy Fisher, Ridley Bent).

With Ferguson at the helm, Hunting coalesces into a formidable alt-folk act. While it may be that bands of that ilk may be a dime a dozen these days, Hunting stands out in its smirking optimism in light of the current state of sad affairs. Nowhere is this more apparent than on “Everything Will Be Okay,” where the punches-the-wall frustrations of the verses are balanced out with the comforting embrace of the chorus. If you happily subscribe to sad-bastard music, Hunting is your band. - BeatRoute