Review / 200 Words Or Less
Jeff Caudill
Try to be Here

Fortunate Son (2009) Sean K.

Jeff Caudill – Try to be Here cover artwork
Jeff Caudill – Try to be Here — Fortunate Son, 2009

Rising from the remains of the pop-punkers Gameface, Jeff Caudill heads out on the road by himself on this trip. Well, not exactly. He does the consistency of the producing and also being the drummer for this project. Also involved is none other than Robbie Rist (yes-"Oliver" from The Brady Bunch!) Check out YouTube for a funny clip of Robbie destroying his image so to speak. But the songs are what we really need to veer back to here. Real stories are being told here, about broken lives and buried dreams. "Stay Home" offers up a nice groove and some pleasant piano over Jeff's singing. "Spend" brings a bit more rock into the equation with good effect. My favorite here is "I was the Lead Singer" where he looks back on his past with longing and maybe a bit of sadness. The best confessional type tune about being in a band since Slim Dunlap's "The Ballad of the Opening Band." Give this a shot if that sounds like it's in your realm of enjoyment. I know it entered mine.

6.0 / 10Sean K. • December 16, 2009

Jeff Caudill – Try to be Here cover artwork
Jeff Caudill – Try to be Here — Fortunate Son, 2009

Related news

Low Coast marks a new direction for Jeff Caudill

Posted in Records on April 15, 2023

Recently-posted album reviews

Summer Blue

Self Titled EP
New Morality Zine (2025)

You may not be familiar with the band Summer Blue, but that’s your issue. If you do know the San Jose, CA based band, then you know how enjoyable they are to listen to. For some background for the newcomers, the band started in 2022 as a side project between friends already orbiting the Bay Area DIY and indie scenes. … Read more

Relay For Death

Mutual Consuming
Helen Scarsdale Agency (2025)

At a time when experimental artists are constantly churning out new music, it is curious to find some that take their time. Rachel and Roxann Spikula might not be the most prolific creatives, but when they make an appearance, it is worth paying attention. The twin sisters have performed in Towering Heroic Dudes and Boyzone, but it is their own … Read more

Scorching Tomb

Ossuary
Time To Kill (2025)

Whenever I see the cover art of an album for a metal band and there’s impaled skulls, blood, and a logo I can’t read, I know I’m getting ready to get obliterated. If I’m at the record store, I instantly flip it to the spine of the album to see the band’s name so I can check them out on … Read more