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I have no clue what drew me to the Jody Shelton Band's EP Child since I'm normally not interested in anything that I could expect to hear on any local radio station. Although I have admitted many times over that I'm a sucker for a great singing voice and tons of melody that doesn't mean I necessarily enjoy most standard rock and pop. But, there's always an exception to the rule and the Jody Shelton Band nicely fit that bill.
The band, named for its lead singer/keyboardist/sometimes guitarist is based in Brooklyn, New York. Shelton, a Tennessee native apparently studied music and intended to write film score when he first arrived in New York City a few years ago. Fate seems to have intervened - in the form of three other musicians and the formation of a band. The Jody Shelton Band now includes Eric Wilhelm (guitar), Michael Pearce (bass), and Christopher Heinz (drums). Child is the group's second EP release.
With just four songs, it's hard to get a full picture of what the Jody Shelton Band is all about. The songwriting is incredibly genuine with plenty of catchy hooks and memorable lyrics, but it's the cinematic quality of the tracks on Child that step things up a notch. Shelton's vocals soar right along with his band mates' solid skills. The group smolders on low-key rockers "Change" and the title track, while exposing a more upbeat side on "Driveway." The final song, "Amy, Smiling" is a beautiful rock ballad that I wish were longer just so I could enjoy more of it.
The Jody Shelton Band should be poised right on the edge of mass popularity with a record deal, full length debut, and headlining tour. The Child EP is just a tiny glimpse, but I have a feeling this group would not disappoint regardless of the number of songs presented on any given recording. So much music comes out of New York, but the Jody Shelton Band is one that you should be paying attention to.
-Jennifer Patton 11/22/06 - www.adequacy.net
Well, well, I must be getting soft in my old age. Once upon a time, a jangly guitar band would have had me heading for the skip button faster than a jaguar on speed, and yet here's yet another one that I find myself liking more than I'd care to admit.
With only four tracks and each being a little bit different, this is a neat sample of the band. Once again, quality song writing is to the fore and the tracks rarely seem to exceed the 3 minute mark, the band seemingly knowing that you actually can have too much of a good thing.
In many ways this would be perfect for a 7" single. The first two tracks "Child" and "Driveway" are generally light and breezy whilst "Amy, Smiling" and "Change" are more downbeat.
Stand out for me is "Driveway" - it's memorable and I can imagine the video now - driving through the countryside in an open top car in the summer. The hook is catchy and there's some fine guitar chops to underpin that driving feel. That's not to say that the others aren't up to scratch, in fact "Change" sounds like a Lucinda Williams song with male vocals and I can't give much higher praise than that.
If you are after quality songs sung by someone who can actually sing - give this a listen.
-Phil T. 2/6/07 - www.glitzine.net
Their performance on this night was nothing short of breathtaking….
Shelton's strong voice is more rock than pop and his band should be required listening for any young band playing out today.
- www.triggermagazine.com
Discography
As Jody Shelton Band:
Rise EP, 2005
Child EP, 2006
Astronomer EP, 2007 (forthcoming)
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Bio
The story of Astronomer begins in late 2003 when singer/songwriter and Tennessee native Jody Shelton moved to New York City, where he began writing material for his dream band, albeit one that didn’t yet exist. After several months of playing this new material with various local musicians, Jody began to rehearse and record with producer/guitarist Eric Wilhelm in Eric’s Brooklyn-based Kitchen Sink Studios. In August 2004, Jody saw drummer Christopher Heinz playing buckets in a friend’s show. Impressed, Jody and Eric asked him to join the band the following week and Jody Shelton Band was born. The trio began recording their first EP, Rise in early 2005, while continuing the search for a bass player. Bassist Michael Pearce joined the band in Summer 2005 and the band began work on their follow up EP, Child. Despite a string of successful shows, a much-hyped music video and rave reviews for Child, success eluded the group and by the end of 2006, Pearce had left the band and Jody had severed ties with his management company, Lakeview Entertainment.
In early 2007, bassist Rob Calder expressed interest in joining the group and Jody aligned the band with new management. Riding the success of these fundamental changes, the guys asked guitarist Oscar Rodriguez from Nakatomi Plaza to join the band and Astronomer was born. The group completed a series of recordings with producer Nunzio Signore in September 2007 and will make their New York debut at the famed Bitter End on October 16th.
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