Album Review: The Lost Trailers – Holler Back
Holler Back, the recently released album from The Lost Trailers, is a ten-song amalgamation of uninspired lyrics, crass commercialism, recycled songs, and exaggerated stereotypes that fail to offer anything of substance. It’s the kind of album you’d expect from an up-and-coming copycat act rather than a band that scored a deal on BNA based on their hard work and effort on their previous three albums, but here they are with the title track in the top ten. In their bio, lead singer Ryder Lee says, “We took six months off to make this record.” Considering four songs were carried over from their previous release, that’s an output of one new song per month.
As if The Lost Trailers were afraid they wouldn’t be recognized as a bonafide country band, they flash their fake country badge on “Holler Back” and “Country Folks,” both of which portray inane mischaracterizations of actual country folks. The latter song bizarrely enough namechecks Waylon Jennings and George Strait as if their music is somehow related, while claiming people from the country “holler and whistle and honk [their] horns in time,” and don’t you know it, but they proudly sing the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Yup, they’re country alright. It’s enough to convince even the most stalwart skeptics. It’s not your standard look-at-me-I’m-country schlock, it’s much worse–almost bad enough to make a decent parody if it weren’t so serious.
Continuing, “How Bout You Don’t” features one of the more compelling arguments ever concocted to persuade a disenchanted lover not to leave: “how bout you don’t.” And Lee sings it with enough conviction to make it possible that it might actually work until you realize how utterly retarded it is. It might be better if he asked her what he’s supposed to do with all his love after she leaves. Oh wait, he does that too on “All This Love,” a bluesy track that would sound cool if it weren’t ridiculous.
The rest of the album takes the initiative to fade into the background with nothing important to say, offering up lines like “She was standing there with her big blue question mark eyes.” That comes from “Summer of Love,” which takes the theme from “Strawberry Wine” and removes any semblance of inspiration. The one song that manages to stand out is “Rest Of Us,” a song for those searching for their place in life. It starts off sparse, showing promise, before kicking into a full blown chorus and shedding the ominous tone that would have served the song better.
Perhaps the inoffensiveness of the first nine tracks was a ploy to cause listeners to turn off their brains so they won’t become offended before dumping recycled “Gravy” on them. Proposing to sell weed as a method to save the family farm, “Gravy” is the kind of track that a renegade band might release, but on Holler Back, it comes across as a band trying to regain the credibility they threw away on the rest of the album.
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August 29, 2008 at 8:39 am Permalink
No shocker here, but I agree! I heard Holler Back on the radio the other day, and I counted one cliche after another in absolute disgust. I simply can not believe that they would sit down, write that song, and feel as though an excellent song was written. It’s in the top 10, so I am sure we’ll get some lost trailer fans on here asking everyone who doesnt like it if they have written a top 10 song and blah blah blah, but good night nurse, it’s bad, and I can only feel bad for Brady that he had to listen to the whole album…sacrificing himself to save others….
August 29, 2008 at 8:52 am Permalink
I’ve only heard the title track, and I agree wholeheartedly with Brady and Kelly’s asessment of it. However, I reluctantly tell you that both my kids (daughter 24, son 23) really love it. (They do like some good music too though, so I’m trying not to hold it against them!)
August 29, 2008 at 9:11 am Permalink
Paula, isn’t it your daughter who loves Randy Travis? If so, she’s forgiven.
August 29, 2008 at 9:26 am Permalink
Oh yeah she loves Randy with all her heart. She’s also listens to a LOT of classic country with me. So once in a while I try to overlook small lapses in judgement, like Holler Back. (I just refuse to listen with her)
:-)
August 29, 2008 at 9:30 am Permalink
It’s a tough job, Brady, but somebody’s got to do it. “Worst of 2008″ lists now have a new contender.
August 29, 2008 at 10:00 am Permalink
I don’t know what it is but I actually like the record. It’s not as good as their first major label record but as far as mainstream stuff goes, I like it.
August 29, 2008 at 10:04 am Permalink
Paula, I am with you. I think its ok for youngsters to sample the sugary junk-food of pop and pop-country. heck, I was all about Milli Vanilli as an 8th grader (thats right, i said it, and i challenge all of y’all to be as honest as me!!)
August 29, 2008 at 10:29 am Permalink
I actually liked “Holler Back,” But I completely agree that this album is complete garbage. The lyrics were barely bar band caliber. This is the kind of album that makes me a proud subscription music service subscriber. If I had somehow purchased this thing, I’d need a drink.
August 29, 2008 at 11:22 am Permalink
Wow, this sounds like a *major* step back from the excellent “Call Me Crazy” and “Why Me”, two of the greatest songs of 2006 (never mind that I didn’t hear either one until well into 2007). And keep in mind I actually *like* “Holler Back”, too.
Have you guys ever given a 0 star rating? I have a really sappy Crystal Gayle album (In My Arms) that might qualify.
August 29, 2008 at 11:30 am Permalink
When I listened to “Holler Back” my first reaction was “Man, this song will appeal to fans of Montgomery-Gentry as it would have worked for them even better”. “Holler Back” is pop-rockin’ country dreck perfectly suited for this summer season of schlock on Top 40 Fluffy Country Radio. Mindless music with a beat and a hook. What more could an “airhead country” fan ask for? That song alone was enough to make me want to forget this band exists…
Let’s also face the facts that the “Lost Trailers” includes some good lookin’ guys and with the radio audience dominated these days by young women brought in by Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood, that scores big bonus points. If the band members were all homely and overweight the single would not have done near as well as it did.
August 29, 2008 at 11:32 am Permalink
How high did “Why Me” ever make it on the charts? I actually kinda liked that one but I never heard it much.
August 29, 2008 at 12:27 pm Permalink
I understand what you guys are saying about the album but I think this is the kind of music the band actually wants to make. I recently saw the band with Gary Allan and I have never seen a band so enthusiastic about their music. They also said that they consider this their true debut album.
August 29, 2008 at 12:32 pm Permalink
I’m not even going to give this one a listen. Their first single is just garbage.
August 29, 2008 at 12:34 pm Permalink
all hope’s not lost. only idiots never change their mind.
August 29, 2008 at 3:49 pm Permalink
We’ve also had some good dialogue chronicling the Trailers’ downward spiral into douchebaggery. WTF happened to these guys.
http://www.hearya.com/2007/06/17/the-lost-trailers-%E2%80%93-from-heroes-to-zeroes/
August 29, 2008 at 3:59 pm Permalink
Bobby, fortunately we haven’t rated any albums with zero stars. I’m inclined to give the Crystal Gayle album a listen if it’s really that bad.
PaulaW, “Why Me” made it to 45.
Dylan, that actually ties in with something Stokes Nielsen said in their bio: “What we learned from Kenny was put out great songs, put out songs you believe in, and that your fans believe in.” The problem is that some of these songs are so bad that they’d have to be completely out of touch with reality to believe in them. Either that or they’re commandeering the Kenny’s persona in hopes of making some major moolah.
Oz, thanks for stopping by and the funny review. I briefly gave their Universal album a listen, but didn’t approach the album from a perspective of selling out since I wasn’t familiar with their past material. It was really that bad on it’s own.
August 29, 2008 at 4:08 pm Permalink
Oz, I enjoyed reading your blog as well. :-)
August 29, 2008 at 4:11 pm Permalink
I like the fact that we can have differing opinions and not get all ‘defensive’ about it. You hated it, I liked it, even if it was derivative (”Country Folks” sounds A LOT like “Song of The South”)
August 29, 2008 at 4:15 pm Permalink
Matt, Brody and I were actually discussing how much “Country Folks” sounds like “Song of the South.” While I was reading their bio, it talked about how Alabama was one of their top four influences and it was an honor to be signed to the label where they made their run and about being signed by Joe Galante, the same guy that broke Alabama. It was definitely derivative.
August 29, 2008 at 6:16 pm Permalink
I completely agree with the review. What a beer coaster.
August 29, 2008 at 6:36 pm Permalink
Proposing to sell weed as a method to save the family farm.
That is really funny. Who is buying Amy Winehouse. They sound like a tacky band.
August 29, 2008 at 6:42 pm Permalink
Also, wasn’t it kind of done in Copperhead Road?
August 30, 2008 at 8:47 am Permalink
Agree with the review. The only two songs on this album that are even close to listenable are “The Rest of Us” and “Blacktop Road”.
Other than that, it’s awful. Just awful.
Didnt Brett Beavers produce this album. The same guy who has produced or co-produced three great Dierks Bentley albums? Guess that kinda kills any argument in who the “real” talent is between the two of them.
August 30, 2008 at 10:22 am Permalink
Nobody….and I do mean nobody with any self-respect could sing the line:
“All the cowgirls shakin’ their sassafras”
I mean, are you fucking serious? That ranks right down there with “honky tonk badonkadonk”.
Like some songwriter in Nashville is tossing together the most ridiculous shit together and letting this jackass go out on stage and sing it…all the while he’s laughing to the bank.
Maybe he’s trying to rot Nashville from the inside out like an old plumbing pipe or something.
August 30, 2008 at 11:02 am Permalink
This write-up had me up until:
(Regarding “How Bout You Don’t”) “And Lee sings it with enough conviction to make it possible that it might actually work until you realize how utterly retarded it is.”
Moving on, I wasn’t surprised when I saw the 1-star rating of the record. It’s actually what prompted me to read the write-up. Aren’t these the guys who has a show on GAC that chronicled the months leading up to the release of the first single and record? If so, that the crappiest show ever. I didn’t watch more then two minutes of it.
I’m 26 and very open-minded when it comes to music. I love ALL kinds of music, especially the wide open ranges of country music from George Strait to Ronnie Milsap to Highway 101 (I miss 80’s country!) to Sugarland, you get the idea. I love it all (almost!) but I’m not giving these guys the time of day. Not because of this write-up (which, in my opinion, is spot on) but because just like their TV show, the music is pure crap.
For those interested, you can listen to the full record here: http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/lost_trailers/2303177/album.jhtml
August 31, 2008 at 12:26 am Permalink
I listen to “airhead” country radio and like many songs, however I don’t like The Lost Trailers single so I wasn’t expecting much for the album. The band just doesn’t impress me. No great vocals or songs. Junkyard country. Speaking of trailers, Holler Back reminds me of Kid Rock’s early songs — “I ain’t straight outta compton I’m straight out the trailer.” How did they make top 10?
August 31, 2008 at 12:45 am Permalink
>>I have a really sappy Crystal Gayle album (In My Arms) that might qualify.<<
It’s a children’s album.
August 31, 2008 at 9:27 am Permalink
Razor X: I know the Crystal Gayle album was a kids’ album, but I *was* sort of still a child when mom bought it and I thought it sucked big time.
September 1, 2008 at 2:16 am Permalink
Mike W. said: “Didn’t Brett Beavers produce this album. The same guy who has produced or co-produced three great Dierks Bentley albums? Guess that kinda kills any argument in who the “real” talent is between the two of them.”
Yes, Brett did produce this album but I’m not a fan of the albums he produced for Dierks either. My favorite Dierks album is his pre-Brett Beavers indie debut “Don’t Leave Me In Love” which I consider a 4.5 Star album. The Brett Beavers’ sound has worked extremely well for Dierks in the Top 40 marketplace, but its not my cup of tea. I was a huge fan of Catherine Britt until she hooked up with Brett for her “Little Wildflower” album, so I consider him a sort of “kiss of death” producer as my tastes are concerned…….
September 1, 2008 at 4:00 am Permalink
I guess I like Beavers well enough, because I love the Bentley albums, production and all.
September 2, 2008 at 10:08 am Permalink
Well stated, Brady. This band has seriously lost their way.
September 2, 2008 at 12:43 pm Permalink
Brett did well producing Dierks’s debut, but everything since then has just blended together. All of Dierks’s songs sound the same now.
September 2, 2008 at 5:10 pm Permalink
Wow, how does EVERYONE hate this album? I was not a big fan of “Holler Back” at first, but it has grown on me and now i love it. but i had no anticipation for this album until i heard “How ‘Bout You Don’t”. I heard that and i LOVED it!!! i decided to check out the rest of the album and its absolutely phenomenal. “Gravy” is the stupidest song ever though. its the only bad song on the album. “Hey Baby”, “How ‘Bout You Don’t”, “Blacktop Road”, and “Things You Don’t Grow Out Of” are my favorites off the album.
i would definitely say this is one of the top 5 albums of the year (next to Lady Antebellum, Sugarland, Jimmy Wayne, and Josh Gracin’s albums).
Congrats, Lost Trailers! You have gained another fan from this album :)
September 2, 2008 at 5:24 pm Permalink
Wow, how does EVERYONE hate this album?
I don’t any album that talks about selling weed must be good. It’s all hood.
i haven’t liked a lot the country albums that i bought this year. Most of them were released in late 2006 or 2007 and are still having singles released. My top albums bought this year would be Carrie Underwood Rihanna, and Leona Lewis and if you count Taylor Swift beautiful eyes.
September 2, 2008 at 5:58 pm Permalink
Hmmm…I have to disagree, Bobby. While there is a familiarity to all of Dierks’ songs, a style, the songs don’t all sound the same to me. In fact, his latest album seemed to be somewhat of a departure from his first two albums, though I kind of wished he had stuck to the sound of the first two albums in all actuality since I didn’t like “Every Mile A Memory” or “Long Trip Alone” very much.
September 2, 2008 at 6:08 pm Permalink
For the Record, Brett Beavers produced 3 tracks: “Holler Back,” “How ‘Bout You Don’t” and “Things You Don’t Grow Out Of.” Blake Chancey and the band produced the rest of the record.
September 6, 2008 at 2:28 pm Permalink
Anyone remember the Trailers 2004 release Welcome to the Woods (WTTW)? For those who don’t know they had gained a huge following on the Texas Music Scene, playing almost exclusively in Texas for a few years.
The WTTW album was closer to a rock album than a country album, although you could hear the country influence in it.
They used to say their influences were the Allman Brothers, Black Crowes, Springsteen and their music made you believe it. It had some soul, some grit and their live shows were amazing.
Now they’ve moved Ryder to lead singer (he used to be on keys and backup vocals), Manny is now on bass and Andrew is now on keys….really messed up the dynamic of the band.
Bottom line, this new disc is not surprising after their 2006 album, but what this albums lacks is anything that makes them different from every other country band/duo in the nation.
Go back to who you really are/were and give us some good music again.
September 20, 2008 at 7:32 am Permalink
Okay, so my question is this: WHAT makes “How Bout You Don’t” “utterly retarded” and “All This Love” “ridiculous?” Seeing as I haven’t heard the album and I’m not familiar with the songs I’d like an explanation.
It seems to me that Vercher wrote this dismal review simply to discourage listeners from buying this album and liking The Lost Trailers in general. His assessment of the album is ridiculous as he can’t even correctly describe a song other than labeling it “retarded.” That alone shows how much he knows about music and reviewing–nothing.
September 22, 2008 at 9:00 am Permalink
You admitted to not even listening to the album, Stephanie, so I don’t see what your problem is.
“How Bout You Don’t” is retarded because the woman in the song is fed up enough with the relationship that she’s leaving and walking out the door and the narrator thinks he can make her stay by telling her “how bout you don’t.” Try upsetting someone to the point that they don’t want to be around you anymore, then use that line on them and see what happens. It’s lame and ridiculous.
September 22, 2008 at 9:15 am Permalink
“Try upsetting someone to the point that they don’t want to be around you anymore, then use that line on them and see what happens. It’s lame and ridiculous…”
…and retarded.
September 24, 2008 at 5:30 am Permalink
different opinions make a market. my point is, i rarely have seen a review missing the point like this one. the one star verdict cannot be justified even if the record is taken apart word by word. it’s so off, it’s almost mindboggling.
only ryder lee’s vocals alone are worth one star, the overall sound of the band is worth another one. the potential of this intentionally commercial and radio-friendly effort to yield three chart-hits is worth and additional half star. the musical flow of the record is easily another half star – it’s a very enjoyable listening from the first to the last song. even more so, when listening to it in the car. quick addition: 3 stars.
as much as i usually enjoy your way of dissecting songs and particularly the lyrics – this time, it has led you to not seeing the forrest for the trees.
just one example: show me the person that said the “right thing” at the moment of being left and being the big loser. hardly moments that inspire sensible originality. something that comes across a little retarded wouldn’t be so unfitting under the circumstances.
these guys may not be the rocket-scientists of country music, but on this album they put some nice drive in their country and the result is a very listenable and enjoyable record.
then again, different opinions make a market.
September 24, 2008 at 7:53 am Permalink
A market is made up different opinions, but that in no way is a reflection of quality and don’t see how that justifies anything more than one star. An average album is 2.5 stars and this is easily less than an average album. If anything is mind boggling, it’s your grading system. A half star because the album shows commercial potential? The rating isn’t a prediction of success.
A proficient vocal is expected from a major label and isn’t worth a star on its own. There isn’t anything unique or especially compelling about Ryder Lee’s vocal and none of his interpretation’s elevate the quality of the songs.
A million bands can mimic the overall sound of The Lost Trailers and plenty of them can create something more compelling, so that certainly isn’t worth a star.
Again, starting at 2.5 stars for an average album, I detract for lack of originality, unbelievable lyrics (not in a good way), lack of substance, and recycling 4 songs from their previous album. Surely a case can’t be made that all of those factors contribute to an album that’s more than average.
It’d be easy to consider each album individually and chalk up every positive aspect while ignoring the negatives and give them all five stars, but that’d be tantamount to focusing a little too much on the tree…
September 26, 2008 at 3:41 am Permalink
brady,
my grading system in this case is a straight-forward textbook bottom-up valuation with, arguably, disputable criteria. yours, however, sounds more like a “from a disputable average going up or down” system, which is something brand new to me. just out of curiosity, what exactly makes you go one way or the other when you start out there in the middle?
by the way, put five beers in front of your collegues and ask them to define the middle – how many of them would start cutting no.3 in halves?
September 26, 2008 at 7:59 am Permalink
I started at the midpoint as an example because I don’t think a case can be made for this album being anything more than average. I guess the only way 2.5 could be a disputable average is if you considered the majority of albums to be better/worse than 2.5, thus raising/lowering the average. If you’re going to use a bottom-up approach, you have to explicitly define the criteria beforehand and factors like commercial potential shouldn’t figure into the equation.
As for factors contributing to an above average album, try: originality, interpretation, song quality, consistency, thematic vision, and execution amongst others. A rating isn’t going to reflect every aspect of the album, however, and that’s why it accompanies a review, which should help explain or justify the rating.
I dunno if the beer scenario was supposed to be a joke or to explain your wanting to give the album 3 stars, if so, good job. Otherwise, numbers/ratings aren’t limited by perception or the physical properties of beer.
April 19, 2009 at 10:12 pm Permalink
Okay, I. LOVE. THIS. SONG. It is so much fun to listen to, and I’ll hear it on the radio and just freak out.
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