American Fear, Boston-based guitarist/composer Eric Hofbauer's second recording as a solo guitarist, is the sequel to his 2004 debut, American Vanity (CNM 3). Like that earlier release, American Fear dissects and examines American culture though spontaneous original compositions, and stripped down interpretations of music from the likes of Nirvana, Tears for Fears, Van Halen, Johnny Cash and Charlie Parker. "You might call this a biography of fears,” Hofbauer explains. "I'm examining not only my own fears, but also how fear is reflected and manifested in American culture and society - the fear of death, childhood fears, racial fears, fears about failure and the current political and economic environment, etc. I think fear is a powerful force for creativity, not just a negative. After you deal with fear, you come to a sense of wonder about yourself and the human condition and about America, too."