Customer Reviews

Shelter

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first owned this album on tape in the mid-80's. After hearing Lone Justice's debut album, with all its eccentric brilliance, I purchased "Shelter" only to discover a more polished and pop sound that still remained rugged and edgy--based primarily on Maria McKee's voice. Then, somehow, somewhere, I lost the tape.

Two days ago, I ran across the CD at a reduced price. I couldn't resist. Popping the disc into my car, I was taken back fifteen years ago to the excitement and emotion of my college years. This ranks as one of my all-time favorite albums. Even songs that initially held no hold over me ("Dixie Storms" and "Reflected"), now draw something unexpected from my heart. The lyrics find a balance between preachy and obtuse; the instruments range from throaty to ethereal; and the vocals...well, let's face it, this little diva's voice takes this music to a whole new level.

It's been so long since I laid ears to this stuff that I almost forgot how deep it could burrow. Yet, after a decade and a half, it's still there, simmering beneath the surface. For me, to listen to it again is an opportunity to let many feelings bubble over. This is music in which to find "Shelter." And I can't resist.

This is probably the lowest rated Lone Justice/Maria Mckee album and that type of publicity kept me from buying it even though I've been a Mckee fan for quite awile. All you ever here is how it doesn't compare to the first one and how she can't find a good enough band. Finnally after hearing all her other stuff for so long I needed something new so I picked up Shelter. Then after listening I came to the conclusion that it doesn't matter who or what is backing up Maria Mckee, her music and sound is always amazing! So for all you buyers out there, if you love Maria Mckee this album is a must have. So maybe it's not as original or ground-breaking as Lone Justice's debute but who cares as long as I get to hear Maria sing! The same goes for her third solo release "Life is Sweet".

Back in the late eighties, early nineties, I was going through a transition in my taste in music. I was discovering new music that my peers in high school would never listen to. It was definitely an alternative to the metal and r&b/hip hop music that they listened to. One of the greatest discoveries was Lone Justice's "Shelter". I bought the cassette version not long after I heard the country-ish title track on a local radio station. What really stood out for me was the keyboards in this particular song. I still love listening to "Shelter" to this very day. I really didn't care for the opening track "I Found Love". It was one of the weaker tracks on the album I thought. It lacked the lush melodies of "Shelter" and "The Gift" (another great song). Maria McKee's vocals are a bit high pitched but compare her to Britney Spears, Maria sounds like Maria Callas. Maria McKee definitely had a distinct voice all her own that you rarely hear nowadays in music. The album itself doesn't really have one particular sound. At times it sounds rather country-ish with a little folk thrown in for good measure, and other times it is more rock. Some of the songs worked for me, and some like "Beacon" and "I Found Love" didn't work for me. Nevertheless, Lone Justice did have a sound of their own.

Two years after their amazing debut, Lone Justice returned for their final studio album. While about have of the songs here are excellent, the rest are a bit uneven and the overall result is one that can't live up the standards of the remarkable debut.

"I Found Love" opens the album with lead singer Maria McKee and her incredible voice. The song rocks with an intensity to match the spiritual awakening suggested in the lyrics. "Shelter" is a great midtempo ballad, while both "Wheels" and the gorgeous "Dixie Storms" are musts.

The rest of the songs are something of a mixed bag that suffer in comparison to the four mentioned songs and all of the ones on the debut. A good album, but not one that should be in your collection without "Lone Justice."

Lone Justice came onto the scene in the mid 80's and spat in the face of New Wave & fake heavy metal music by putting out two terrific albums full of original songs mixing the best of folk, rock and roll, country and blues. Ahead of their time even today, this is the type of disc that sounds as fresh now as it did in 1986. Any serious music afficianado should add both Lone Justice CD's and most of Maria McKee's solo albums to his or her collection. The music is pure and direct and the lyrics operate on a variety of levels. Looking for hard edged rock? You've found it. Looking for songs of salvation and redemption? You've found that, too. Lone Justice is hard to classify because their sound is so unique. "Shelter" is an immensely satisfying record.

Let's get it out of the way - this is not Maria McKee's best record. However, it is far from being a bad record. Some of her most accessible songs and uplifting work is here.

I think Maria must've had her eyes on the pop prize, and in 1986, that meant dressing up your sound in whacking drum machines and icy synthesizers. Yet, if you're willing to cut through that mess, there's some very rewarding stuff here. Her producers replaced the country-rock of the first Lone Justice record entirely. The rock that results, however, results in letting her voice and lyrical ambitions reach to heights not possible in the old milieu.

Cases in point: "The Gift" and "Inspiration" revel in their reaches for a higher plane. On "Inspiration" especially, Maria's voice is the vehicle that's going to take you there. Her career is full of vocal high points, but this one stands out. She stretches her voice to reach over the rock wall and succeeds mightily. It's like Tina Turner battling Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" on "River Deep Mountain High-" the artistic tension between the clash of styles results in amazing work.

Maria's songwriting stays on point, as well. "Shelter" should have been the hit that made her rich, but...the same thing that's wrong with radio today was the same thing that was wrong back then. "I Found Love" is a stomper, and "Dixie Storms" closes the record sweetly.

The "Maria McKee" record is probably the best distillation of her sound, but you won't go wrong with this one. Get it now before it goes out of print.

Released in the late 80's, "Shelter" was the phoenix of the burgeoning LA punkabilly scene--Lone Justice' sprawling ambition jump-started the 'neo-traditionalist' movement in Nashville, giving rise to stars such as Dwight Yoakam and Patty Loveless. This CD, featuring the formidible pipes of lead vocalist Maria McKee, contains three terrific tunes: "I Found Love," "Shelter," and "Don't Toss Us Away," (later a hit single for Loveless.) The rest of the CD is a period piece, but the best, despite it's dated, lush, synthesizer-laden arrangements, is bold and continues to influence.

Unlike many Lone Justice and Maria McKee fans, this is my favorite album. Maybe because the first time I heard of them was the performance of Shelter on SNL. That song inspired me to buy the album way back in '85 and I've listened to it consistently ever since. Amazing vocals throughout, and music that fits the songs perfectly in my opinion. I never skip a track on this one, but standout tracks include the title track, Belfry, The Gift, Dixie Storms, and Wheels.

Maria Mckee is outstanding on this album. Earlier albums - very good singing, Solo Career - ok, over emotional. BUT the album Shelter hits the sweet spot. The lyrics are thought provoking, the singing is "over the top" splendid, and the music is rockin'. If your CD collection is limited, you must own this CD. If you have an expansive collection and this is missing, then your collection is not complete. If you download, then download the whole darn CD - worth every penny! Enjoy! MAD

This is a wonderful album. It has accompanied me through significant times over the past 13 years and I think that is a high compliment to pay to an album. Maria McKee a very talented artist and I thank her for her music.