Guitarist Eric Hofbauer's "American Vanity" is more than a solo album. It's a musically and conceptually daring examination of a wide range of American songs and the different facets of American vanity and pride. Hofbauer approaches the music and his subject from many different angles, in a complex and richly imagined response to contemporary American culture. The music is by turns ironic, outraged, compassionate, and irreverent. Hofbauer, who has been called "an extraordinary guitarist" by Cadence Magazine and "the heir to the avant-Americana throne" by Jazz review.com is also a member of the Blueprint Project whose latest self titled album features bassist Cecil McBee and drummer Matt Wilson.