Single Review: Hobbits

From the get-go, you knew this wouldn’t really be a ballad on social issues or an ode to unrequited love. No, the track is titled Hobbits, so if it wasn’t themed around fictitious, village-dwelling humanoids of short stature then confiscate my second breakfast and call a fool of a Took.

No kidding, the track begins with “Hobbits! Hobbits! Hobbiiits!”, and therein sets the framework for the choruses, and essential the rest of the single. There’s a powerfully beefy guitar-and-bass combination going on, fuzzier than the feet on the folk of which this song is named. The drums are overwhelmingly dominated by rides and crashes, creating a mild clamour attempting to out-do the rest of the performance. And the vocals evoke a wild, live-at-a-pub atmosphere feel, mixing drunken slurring with chest-pounding cries of “In the Shire, in the Shiiire!” It’s literally as if Middle Earth culture fused with modern-day Irish pub settings.

Picture this: The owner of the Prancing Pony shelled out for a sound system, nailed together a rickety, foot-high stage out of Swappa Crates. The audience are invigorated with tankards of grog, Merry and Pippin have recently figured out power chords, and realised the potency of punk rock and pub ballads, and are giving it their all on a Friday night, after a hard day tending to their cabbages.

No homage to Tolkien would be complete without at least a nod of some sort to one of the most central characters, Gandalf the Grey. Just past the middle of the track there’s a bridge, with what sounds like the Grey Wizard himself declaring “In the Shire, with some fireworks, and some wizardry,” in a respectable imitation of Sir Ian McKellen’s voice. Ah, yes, an event worthy of mention. Who could forget Gandalf’s efforts on Bilbo’s 111th birthday?

You’d think there would be some similarities in this single with the soundtrack that Howard Shore penned, but you’d be wrong. This is no cover song, nor a tribute; this is a roaring tribute about Shirefolk made by Shirefolk. No fiddles, no tin whistles or flutes. No, this is the 21st Century! And at a present-day pub, catering to men, women and Hobbits alike, no less! Here, we’re all about pounding drums, loud guitars and boisterous singing!

Check out this Shire-based ballad Hobbits on YouTube, and follow Bingo Fighter on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.