Bandwagon

Eleven Hundred Springs | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 27, 2004)
• Original Release Date: 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Palo Duro Records
• ASIN: B00029J1UY
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #352,839 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Northside Blues

2. If I Was A Candle

3. The Only Thing She Left Me Was The Blues

4. Long Haired Tattooed Hippie Freaks

5. Thunderbird Will Do Just Fine

6. Gina From San Jose

7. Can't Win For Losing

8. Hank Williams Wouldn't Make It Now In Nashville, TN

9. Swerving

10. Brand New Pair Of Shoes

11. A Straighter Line

12. Why You Been Gone So Long

13. See You In The Next Life

14. The Rock Island Line

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ready for some greater attention in country music circles!, August 22, 2004

By 

J. Ross "a-music_fan" (Roseburg, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bandwagon (Audio CD)

Playing Time - 49:49 -- Eleven Hundred Springs includes Steve Berg (bass, bajo sexto, vocals), Chris Claridy (guitars), Matt Hillyer (lead vocals, guitars), Mark Reznicek (drums, percussion), and Aaron Wynne (pedal steel, guitar, organ, vocals). "Bandwagon" appears on a record label, Palo Duro, that has a mission to promote country music and Texas spirit. With their classic country sound that incorporates original singer-songwriter fare, pedal steel and acoustic and electric instrumentation, 1100 Springs are part of a current semi-rebellious Texas music movement to "Take Country Back" from Nashville much like the Outlaw music movement did back in the 1970s. Influences of country rock, folk, classic country and bluegrass are apparent in the country music of groups like 1100 Springs. As the movement gains momentum, more and more radio stations are getting on the "bandwagon" to spread these alt-country and Americana sounds. The cover of this album shows a broken down 1950s-vintage truck stuck in some muddy ruts. Acknowledging that it's a tough and crooked road to success, let's hope that this band finds a less hazardous and circuitous path to get where they're going.

Matt Hillyer composed many of the pieces on "Bandwagon," and the band's humorous autobiographical sketch and their attitude towards country music is best captured in "Long Haired Tattooed Hippie Freaks." His advice to detractors is to "close your eyes, open your ears, and let the music speak...to hear that good ol' country music." Another treatise on the current state of country music is Aaron Wynne's "Hank Williams Wouldn't Make it Now in Nashville Tennessee" in which the lyrics profess "that carbon copy music don't mean a damn to me." A number of other noteworthy originals including Northside Blues, If I Was A Candle, Swerving and A Straighter Line round out this album. Some of their songs speak to hard livin' on the road, while others tell stories of life in more general terms with a wish for a second chance and to "See You in the Next Life." A slow truckin' re-mastered cover (originally recorded in 1993) of Mickie Newberry's "Why You Been Gone So Long" is a tip of the hat to that great Texas songwriter, as well as to the late rockabilly legend Ronnie Dawson, "the Waxahachie Wildman," who joins in on vocals. The album closes with "The Rock Island Line," that clearly shows these guys also have deep respect for songs from the folk tradition.

A little fiddle might have enhanced this project, and I was even imagining a little hot banjo in the mix of the closing number. This Dallas-based quintet takes its name from a slogan for Pearl Beer ("from the land of 1,100 springs"). Together since 1992, they've evolved from being known as The Red Devils and Lone Star Trio to Eleven Hundred Springs when they landed a regular gig at Adair's Saloon in Dallas. This band is poised and ready for some greater attention in country music circles. Turn off those mainstream stations and spin your dial over to some real Texas country. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent mid-label debut, October 13, 2004

By 

Patrick Nichols "Texas Music critic" (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bandwagon (Audio CD)

Eleven Hundred Springs has cultivated a significant following thanks to homegrown recordings and a constant touring schedule. Now signed to Palo Duro Records ("Country Music, Texas Spirit'"-yet still based in Tennessee), EHS has the distribution and backing to help the band reach the big-time.

Just because the band signed a new record deal doesn't mean that it has changed its style or abandoned its roots. Eleven Hundred Springs definitely delivers on Bandwagon. With a voice reminiscent of a young Rodney Crowell, lead vocalist and songwriter Matt Hillyer guides EHS through a potent country, blues, and rockabilly blend.

The anthemic "Long Haired Tattooed Hippie Freaks" sets the stage: They call us long haired, tattooed, hippie freaks / You know they ain't all wrong / You'd think they never saw a bad outlaw / Singin' a country song / But if they'd close their eyes and open their ears / And let the music speak / They'd hear good old country music / Not just long haired, tattooed freaks.

While the band may have signed to a Nashville label, they're still Texas Music outlaws. That outlaw spirit shines through on cuts like the drinkin' and tokin' "Thunderbird Will Do Just Fine" and the anti-establishment "Hank Williams Wouldn't Make It Now In Nashville Tennessee."

The closing tracks provide the real highlights. Featuring the late Ronnie Dawson on vocals, "Why You Been Gone So Long" showcases the stellar pedal steel of EHS's Aaron Wynne while paying homage to one of the band's major influences. "See You In The Next Life" combines heartfelt lyrics with teriffic lead and backing vocals. The closing track, "The Rock Island Line," allows the band to demonstrate its playful side and instrumental skills.

While there may be a couple of missteps ("Gina From San Jose" and "Swerving" come to mind), Bandwagon is an excellent mid-label debut for one of Texas's best-kept secrets.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Texas Music, July 30, 2004

By 

Joan Q. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bandwagon (Audio CD)

Eleven Hundred Springs are one of the best Texas music bands out there. Combining an old school Texas sound with rock and roll...creating music to drive by, dance to, play at a party...whatever you like to do. I highly recommend checking these guys out!