Reviews

West Texas Exiles 8000 Days

Posted by on October 10, 2025 at 1:17 pm

By Brian Rock

West Texas Exiles release their full-length debut, 8000 Days. Combining the Texas Troubadour tradition of Joe Ely and Rodney Crowell with the DIY attitude of The Casey Donahue Band and Left Arm Tan, the West Texas Exiles mix up lone star ballads and boot scooters with equal finesse.

“Cards,” epitomizes their independent spirit. The jaunty folk-rock fusion is a call to be true to yourself. Singing, “It’s time to change or stop apologizing;” the band points out the hypocrisy of continuing to ask for forgiveness for a behavior you refuse to change. Lively ragtime piano helps propel the song to its surprising climax where the band admits, “Changing’s not in the cards for me.” A tongue in cheek ode to living life on your own terms, the band resolves to stop apologizing for the way they do things. With three lead songwriters, the band really does do things their own way. Marco Gutierrez, Daniel Davis, and Colin Gilmore all take turns writing and singing lead. In addition, Eric Harrison holds a steady groove on bass, and Eric Harrison provides perfect percussive punctuation on drums.

“Circles In The Yard,” recalls early Old 97s as they describe the perils of chasing musical fame on the road. Teaming up with Kelly Willis on, “Division,” the band takes a folk-rock tinged look at divorce. They add some spicy Cajun flair to their ode to rambling, “Wind’s Gonna Blow.” They kick out the jams on the rousing southern rock of “Way We Are.” Striving for balance, the band devotes half of the album to ballads. “Already Gone,” is a gentle, cosmic cowboy exploration of break ups. “Bright Yellow Sun,” is an alt-country awakening of optimism. “Dark Desire,” is a foreboding tango with forbidden fruit. “What Happened,” is a tender longing for better days. The title song concludes with a harmonica laced, Springsteen-esque anthem of alienation and uncertainty. Looking back on the past twenty odd years, the band confesses, “There’s a stranger in the driver’s seat.” Not quite sure of where they’re going or how they got there, they nevertheless find comfort in kindred spirits, singing, “Alone together beats being alone.” The song takes an optimistic modulation as they resolve to face the unknown together. Indeed, whether a couple, a band, a family, or a nation, the only way forward is together. Sage words from the land of the western sage.

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Brian Rock

Brian Rock

Brian was raised gypsy style, moving every other year until well after college. As friendships proved to be temporary, Brian found a constant companion in music, wearing the grooves off Beatles and Dylan albums before moving on to Lyle Lovett and Dwight Yokam. Living so often in flux, he has come to value music and lyrics of lasting quality. Not moved by trends or fashion, he is drawn to timeless lyrics and soulful rhythms. Although now settled down, Brian still expresses his gypsy spirit through his writing. He has co-written songs with musician friends he’s met along the way, including several contributions to the 2012 ICMA Album of the Year, Family Album. Brian also writes children’s books and poems, including the Children’s Book Council featured title, The Deductive Detective.
Brian Rock

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