The Erin Hobson Compact

Hard to define, Easy to Love!

What do you get if you combine two parts acoustic coffee house, one part Latin jazz, and then throw in a dash of alternative rock? You get The Erin Hobson Compact. Tough to categorize, this group’s sensitivity, sensual musicality and social awareness span too many musical genres to count in one review.

Some have called Hobson a female John Mayer. On stage, she exudes a sense of unself-
conscious joy as she colors her songs with lush chords and expands them with virtuoso solos. Bassist, producer and co-writer, Steven W. Ross hits upon arrangements and provides lyrical syncopations that showcase Hobson’s impressive guitar skills and haunting vocals. At once innocent and knowing, these songs feel like the soundtrack to some perfect indie romantic film – one which hasn’t been made yet.

The debut album’s title track, “Talk Radio,” just may be an anthem for the Jon Stewart generation. There’s been industry buzz about Hobson’s music for years, but so far, she hasn’t yet found the wider audience she deserves. Talk Radio may be the album that changes all that. Alisa Kwitney, journalist and author of Vertigo Visions: Art From The Cutting Edge Of Comics.