Eleventh Dream Day has always existed in that special place. They were always that band in my circle of friends that only I appreciated. I tried several years to try and get others to see the energy, humor and melody that is evident in much of their work, but it never worked out. Unfortunately for the band, commercial success was never attained. It is a good thing they persevered because had they not then the world would never have had a chance to hear “Zeroes and Ones,” their 2006 release.
The band is essentially the brainchild of Rick Rizzo (guitar/vocals) and Janet Beveridge Bean (drums/vocals). The pair met at the University of Kentucky in the early 80’s and relocated to Chicago shortly thereafter. The pair teamed with Douglas McCombs (bass) and Baird Figi (guitar) and developed a tremendous following in the burgeoning Chicago Alternative music scene. Their live act blended noisy, distorted guitars, off kilter drum beats and unbridled post punk enthusiasm. In other words in a more just world, Eleventh Dream Day would have found themselves riding the mid 90’s Alternative music gravy train all the way to the bank. Instead, they just found themselves making great music.
To my knowledge EDD has never acknowledged The Who as a major influence, but on “Zeroes and Ones” there are many similarities to “Tommy.” The disc opens with a strong effort titled “Dissolution.” Powerful instrumentation synched with a searing bass line evoke a certain grace that is not often found on their other work. Usually the band just chooses to hammer home the point and they do it admirably on the rest of the disc. “Lately I’ve Been Thinking” is just such one of those songs. It will satisfy the head banger in all of us.
“From K to Z” deserves to be played as loud as your stereo can handle. You never know what you may hear hidden beneath the organ, static and crunchy guitars. Is that a rattlesnake? The disc closes with a mournful piano and guitar feedback on “Journey with No Maps” and Bean offering the perfect vocal foil to Rizzo. Speaking of Bean, she only helms the lead vocals on a single track, the catchy “The Lure” and instead appears as a backup on the rest of the disc as is typical for an EDD effort.
Overall this is a fine disc and would be enjoyed by the casual as well as hardcore EDD fan. I would not suggest it, however, as an introduction to the band. If you are interested in seeing what EDD is all about I would first suggest their 1989 release “Beat” as well as 1991’s “Lived to Tell.”