Bandwagonby Anonymous
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August 29, 2004:
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)
This review was written about the CD edition.
Bandwagonby Anonymous
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July 30, 2004:
Eleven Hundred Springs are one of the best Texas music bands out there. Combining an old school Texas sound with rock and roll. I highly recommend getting Bandwagon...it takes national a great slice of songs that EHS has been recording locally for years.
This review was written about the CD edition.
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