Arriving just a year after
Anchors,
My American Dream certainly carries a sense of urgency. That's intentional.
Hoge designed this mini-LP to be an impassioned liberal cry during the election year of 2018, making each one of its eight songs (including a revival of its title track, which was originally cut in 2011) as a rallying cry for one specific theme troubling Trump's America.
Hoge doesn't bother with empathy, preferring anger and disgust: he sneers at the subject of "Nikki's a Republican Now," dismisses the idea that "Thoughts & Prayers" mean a thing, and prays that the circus will leave town on "Oh Mr. Barnum." As his touring band kicks up so much dust they sometimes lumber like vintage
Crazy Horse,
Hoge wails and pleads, and his passion is invigorating: he's not looking to persuade, he's hoping to exorcize his frustration, an intent that is inherently kinetic and often exciting. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine