Following the strum of their own twin-guitar attack, Chicago-by-way-of-Kentucky's Eleventh Dream Day issued their second release (the purposefully misspelled), Prarie School Freakout, in 1988. It certainly didn't have much in common with the noise rock other Chicago-area bands like Big Black and the Jesus Lizard were grinding out at the time. Granted, it rocks almost as hard, but sounds a whole lot more Californian, or even Southwestern. References include Neil Young (the guitar work, not the vocals), X (the vocals), the Dream Syndicate (the vocals and the guitar work), and Giant Sand (the raw, country feel). And although they predated the No Depression movement inspired by Belleville, IL's Uncle Tupelo and spin-off bands, Wilco and Son Volt, in the '90s, they were mining similar alt-country territory. By the time they recorded their first full-length (after 1987's self-titled EP), the band's basic sound was in place — they'd already been together for several years — but the songwriting still had a way to go. Each song sounds like it would have been a hoot to witness live, particularly "Watching the Candles Burn," but only a few are particularly memorable. At its worst, the record is also a little samey (a problem that would be rectified on subsequent releases), but then it comprises ten out of an impressive 15 songs recorded in a whirlwind six hours in Louisville, KY, in July. From start to finish, Prarie School Freakout sounds inspired — not tired. One of the more notable indie debuts of the '80s.

(Kathleen C. Fennessy)