Eleventh Dream Day - Eleventh Dream Day 12'' EP

Released in 1987 on the independent label Amoeba Records, the self-titled 12" EP by Eleventh Dream Day marks the explosive official debut of one of Chicago’s most enduring alternative rock bands. The six-track mini-album immediately established the group's signature sonic blueprint, characterized by a fierce, intertwined dual-guitar attack and a rhythm section that locked into driving, propulsive grooves. Recorded early in their career, the EP captures the raw energy of a band forging a path between underground punk roots and expansive, Neil Young-inspired guitar jams. It served as a critical stepping stone that generated significant college radio buzz and ultimately caught the attention of major labels.

The record also serves as the historical introduction to the band's core songwriting partnership and distinct vocal dynamic. The interplay between Rick Rizzo’s ragged, passionate delivery and Janet Beveridge Bean’s melodic, powerful drumming and singing provided a compelling emotional contrast to the sonic storm around them. Backed by the formidable talents of guitarist Baird Figi and bassist Douglas McCombs, the band used this release to lay the foundational framework for their landmark 1988 full-length album, Prairie School Freakout. Today, the original Amoeba vinyl pressing remains a highly sought-after artifact for collectors of late-1980s American indie and desert-tinged guitar rock.

From the opening moments of "Walking Through The Barrel Of A Gun," the Eleventh Dream Day EP hits with the force of a sudden summer thunderstorm. The band wastes no time establishing an atmosphere of tense, coiled energy that defines the entire listening experience. The production is deliberately unpolished, capturing the genuine room acoustics and the unvarnished heat of their live performances. This lack of studio gloss works entirely to the music's advantage, allowing the urgent grit of the performances to slice directly through the speakers.

The true heart of the record lies in the phenomenal, conversational guitar interplay between Rick Rizzo and Baird Figi. On tracks like "Vein Of Gold" and "The Arsonist," their instruments do not merely back each other up; instead, they lock into a thrilling duel of jagged rhythm chords and soaring, feedback-drenched leads. They evoke the sprawling, Neil Young & Crazy Horse style of guitar heroics, but compress that energy into the tight, anxious structures of post-punk. It is a masterclass in how to build tension using six strings, escalating from quiet murmurs to blinding walls of noise.

Equally vital to the EP’s success is the impeccable foundation laid down by the rhythm section. Douglas McCombs’ melodic, driving bass lines provide a sturdy anchor that gives the guitars total freedom to wander and explode. Meanwhile, Janet Beveridge Bean’s drumming is nothing short of relentless, driving each track forward with incredible power and swing. When her vocals blend with Rizzo’s on "Not The Ballad Of A Girl," the record achieves a beautiful, haunting contrast that balances out the blistering instrumentation.

The EP draws to a close with "Cascade," leaving listeners with a sense of breathless exhaustion. As a debut, the record succeeds because it avoids trying to be everything to everyone; it simply captures a brilliant band doing what they do best with absolute conviction. While Eleventh Dream Day would go on to release more polished and conceptually complex albums later in their career, this 12" EP remains an essential, white-hot document of their early brilliance. It stands proud as a definitive artifact from a golden era of American underground rock.

Ripped to MP3

A1: "Walking Through The Barrel Of A Gun"

A2: "Vein Of Gold"

A3: "Not The Ballad Of A Girl"

B1: "Liz Beth"

B2: "The Arsonist"

B3: "Cascade"