CD Review: Eleven Dollar Life's EP Gets Frisky

Nov 27, 2010
Melissa Kucirek

Chicago's Eleven Dollar Life - Photo Courtesy of Eleven Dollar Life.

Chicago-s Eleven Dollar Life whips its way into the listeners hearts with four-track EP.

Eleven Dollar Life is smart. Really, they are. With only four tracks on its self-titled EP, choosing to have the live versions makes the listener feel as if they are there nudging elbows and knocking knees at the all-night fun-fest. This Windy City band has the charisma of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones mixed with Brian Setzer and his orchestra, mixed with an (early) subdued Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Fans of Blues, Rock, Swing, Pop and AC

All the tracks on the EP beginning with "Wisconsin" and ending with the airy "Relief" have the tone and songwriting skills fully capable of national acts. The words and orchestrations are not centered on one genre, and the musicality will appeal to fans of blues, rock, swing, pop and dare this writer say it, adult contemporary light rock.

In "Relief" the compounding melody and charging guitar riffs is mixed finely with the husky voice of frontman and lyricist Bryan Pray. This song has a different tone, certainly, than "Wisconsin" and the zipping sound found track two's "Zee." The wholesome - maybe even country rock sounding flare is further pushed by drummer Kyle Voivodas, guitarist Chade Wynes, keyboardist Marc Gee and bassist Eli Namay.

Sound Erupts

Namay's basswork is nice intro to "Relief" and the sound just erupts from there. As a whole, "Relief" is this writer's favorite work on the EP. Coming in a close second is "Wisconsin" (even though she is still trying to put the pieces together as to the title). It is not that "Zee" and "Suitcase" are boring (they are completely not), but they are different styles.

Track three - "Suitcase" is sassy and frisky. Pray's mood in "Suitcase" comes across more easy - mellow. In "Relief" he is more emotive, seemingly. "Suitcase" has a stunning orchestration is more bluesy than the other three tracks. Good song - but not great.

Solid A Review

Overall, this EP is proof this band deserves to be heard outside the Illinois state boarder. Eleven Dollar Life churns out music that is relevant, contemporary and at the same time a gentle nod to many musical numbers that never lose their charm. Give this EP a solid A and get ready to add to a iPod play list for parties and general festivities.

Listeners that dig Incubus, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Brian Setzer, Stray Cats, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and the funk of George Clinton should check out this band. Kudos to Eleven Dollar Life and its frisky EP.