Comments on: Album Review: The Lost Trailers – Holler Back

By: The Lost Trailers "All This Love" | The Georgia Jukebox

The Lost Trailers "All This Love" | The Georgia Jukebox — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:25:45 +0000

[...] thinks it will keep them on Country Music Charts; The 9513 thinks its [...]

By: Nina

Nina — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 03:12:27 +0000

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.

By: Brady Vercher

Brady Vercher — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:59:51 +0000

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.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 08:41:35 +0000

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?

By: Brady Vercher

Brady Vercher — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:53:23 +0000

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…

By: Thomas

Thomas — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:30:49 +0000

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.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:15:56 +0000

“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.

By: Brady Vercher

Brady Vercher — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:00:57 +0000

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.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 12:32:41 +0000

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.

By: 2004

2004 — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 19:28:46 +0000

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.