Hobex – Back In The 90s (1998)

Hobex is a Chapel Hill, North Carolina-based trio consisting of former members of Dillon Fence, Grover, and Johnny Quest. Back in the 90's is the band's first full-length release, following a 1996 six-song EP. Hobex's sound is rooted in '70s-style soul and funk, and bears a resemblance to that of fellow North Carolinians Dag. There isn't a weak track on this sterling effort. "Groove, Baby" kicks things off with its organ-backed, bluesy shuffle. "The Love That's Inside" is a perfect example of how the band takes '70s funk and packages it into a '90s context. "Windows" has a jaunty, feel-good melody and a devil-may-care lyric. Other cuts range from the slow-burn tempo of "I Was Wrong" to "My Moonshine," which incorporates a bit of Creedence Clearwater Revival twang guitar into the mix. The band closes things out with "It Pains Me," a sparse acoustic blues number with a heartbreakingly aching vocal. Wonderful stuff.