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Americana UK Thunder and Dust Review Canadian singer songwriter Greg Hobbs must possess a razor-sharp sense of irony because, while Thunder and Dust may be one of the most image-forming titles, the music it contains is gentle, heartwarming country folk. Instead of thunder you’ll be washed by the warm rain of Some Days, a song so wistful and reflective it comes in its own shades of pastel. Hobbs, described as a ‘must see’ by the insightful and on this evidence accurate Toronto Star, takes the listener gently by the hand and guides them through an album that has no shock value but one that is both delightful and rewarding. The ’burden’ for the listener is to agree to suspend reality for an hour or so because Greg Hobbs creates the equivalent of sepia-tinted prints. Both his voice and delivery are completely devoid of harshness and song titles like Sunshine and Roses, Secrets Of The Bride, Candlelight and Cupid’s Arrow are both self-explanatory and unerringly accurate. On Thunder and Dust Greg Hobbs is the equivalent of a romantic poet, without being either mad, bad or dangerous to know. We are almost conditioned to be cynical and suspicious of anything that doesn’t have an ‘edge’, a motive or is not ‘dangerous’ but it’s difficult - make that impossible - to not smile and feel good about Greg Hobbs and Thunder And Dust. He may not set out to make great statements with his music, he may never lift you out of your seat but he’s a pleasure to listen to. Wasn’t there a band who once said ‘all you need is love?’ Greg Hobbs proves the point.
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