Review / Classic Album
Texas Is The Reason
Do You Know Who You Are?

Revelation (1996) Bob

Texas Is The Reason – Do You Know Who You Are? cover artwork
Texas Is The Reason – Do You Know Who You Are? — Revelation, 1996

Do You Know Who You Are? is one of the best selling albums that Revelation ever released, and Texas Is The Reason flirted with major label courtship (almost signing to Capitol before splitting up instead) on the strength of their what would ultimately prove to be this their sole album; I remember two things about the band when they were active: one, everyone seemed to love Texas Is The Reason and Do You Know Who You Are?, and two, I could not for the life of me figure out just what the hype was all about in the first place.

While the passage of time and some exposure to a plethora of music has given me a great deal of perspective, I now see some great qualities that are imbued in Do You Know Who You Are?; the members of Texas Is The Reason have an excellent sense of dynamic songwriting (I do love the quiet break in “Johnny On The Spot” and the transitions in and out of the part and the build up in the beginning of “There’s No Way I Can Talk Myself Out Of This One Tonight” is aces and just the whole of “Back and To The Left” makes me understand why the song is one of the classics from this album), and the background vocals actually add a great deal to the songs where they are used (the ones in “There’s No Way I Can Talk Myself Out Of This One Tonight” make it one of my favorite songs on the album) while the lead vocals by Garret Klahn are nowhere near the turnoff that they used to be for this band (this is saying something from me and his performance in “A Day’s Refrain” is completely excellent).

I still think that Do You Know Who You Are? is rather overrated, but I definitely think that the music that Texas Is The Reason play on this album is a smooth batch of songs with a strong grasp of writing and composition behind them; ultimately Do You Know Who You Are? is a solid album with some real excellent songs, and I can kind of see why people love Texas Is The Reason and this album so much and also understand why major labels were fawning all over these guys as the potential for something truly great was there.

7.5 / 10Bob • June 8, 2012

Texas Is The Reason – Do You Know Who You Are? cover artwork
Texas Is The Reason – Do You Know Who You Are? — Revelation, 1996

Related news

Resignation covers Texas Is The Reason

Posted in MP3s on July 15, 2023

Solo Harrett Klahn (Texas Is the Reason)

Posted in Bands on January 14, 2016

Garrett Klahn solo 7-inch

Posted in Bands on October 26, 2014

Advertisement

DCxPC 2025

Recently-posted album reviews

Detention

Dead Rock ‘N’ Rollers
Left For Dead Records (2024)

Life ain’t so easy in the detention home- Dead Boys. Emerging from the underbelly of Jersey, made up primarily of three brethren. Raised on rock and roll and sipping from the chalice of early punk rock stalwarts like Da Bruddahs from Queens, Hey Ho! and the Pistoleros of Sexual Nature screaming banshees from across from the large pond. Thus forging … Read more

Nightfreak

Nightfreak
Big Neck Records (2024)

Semi-feral punk outfit NightFreak are back with a self-titled LP filled with breakneck riffs and 70s metal bombast. The Chicago group haven’t slowed down since 2022’s Speed Trials but they have filled out. NightFreak the album is lousy with warm back beats and melodic guitars; although, hardcore vocals and tight drums still reign supreme. Album opener “Blackout” is dead serious … Read more

Death By Unga Bunga

Raw Muscle Power
Jansen Records (2025)

I’m pretty sure I became aware of Mike Krol when The Whiffs posted about playing some shows with him. Krol is a bit of an anomaly. Not only is he on Merge and collaborates with Mac Superchunk- a dream scenario imo- but he’s also been elusive of my fan boy attempts at cold dm’ing him about stuff even tho we … Read more