Eli Young Band

iTunes Review

From the start, the Eli Young Band sought to combine Americana-style rock and mainstream country with a distinctively Texas feel. Those who know the group from its later recordings will find this re-released self-titled debut album of interest from several angles. The tracks capture a raw-yet-promising combo making up for its lack of polish with an abundance of ideas and enthusiasm. Band leaders Mike Eli and James Young come across as a budding Don Henley and Glenn Frey, trying their hand at melodic romantic ballads (“We Could Be Forever,” “Back of My Mind”), feisty Southern rockers (“I’m In Love,” “Guardian Angel”), and Tex-Mex flavored mid-tempo tunes (“Down On Padre”). Songs like “I Still Think It’s Me” and “When We Were Innocent” show that the group had hit-single potential from the word go. The album’s basic production is adequate but fails to capture fully the Eli Young Band’s brash energy as a Texas club attraction. As time went on, the group entered the big leagues, tightened up its sound and scored radio hits — but also lost some of its scruffy, let’s-try-anything spirit. It’s these latter qualities especially that make Eli Young Band well worth hearing.