Shelby Lore: Great Unknown
Have you ever gone to a show or a festival and there’s that one name on the bill that you have never heard of and they end up being the dark horse of the lineup? Well, over the Memorial Day weekend I attended a small festival in “Almost Indiana” (Warsaw, KY) and that was where Shelby Lore became my dark horse. Honestly, I didn’t know if it was a female or male, solo artist or band. But it didn’t take long for me to figure out that he, Shelby Lore, was a highly anticipated act that weekend. His name seemed to be on everyone’s lips leading up to that Saturday afternoon set. Attendees and artists alike all reminisced on what a talented guitar player Shelby is and what an energetic show he and his bandmates, Luke Estep and Tyler Kiser, put on. My friends were not wrong. In no time, Shelby and the band had the crowd on their feet - smiling, singing, dancing and cheering. I also overheard lots of folks getting excited for his upcoming album to be released. That album, Great Unknown, dropped over the weekend (July 10) and now you can see for yourself what all the buzz is about.
Lore hails from Carter City in rural Eastern Kentucky. He credits his influence on the sound he has developed to the music of the Appalachian region. He draws from blues, southern rock and country musical styles. All of this is certainly evident on Great Unknown. Shelby began his musical journey playing guitar in local bars and festivals at age 16. He then went on to form his own band at age 18.
Great Unknown is the second full-length album by Shelby Lore and aptly named as a nod to all the unknown, yet wildly talented musicians from his region. He enlisted many close friends to be a part of this project, starting with Tyler Kiser (bass/harmony) and Luke Estep (drums/percussion), who also make up his live band. He incorporated Chase Lewis (Tyler Childers) on keys and organ for “Bottom of Love” and “Other Side,” Wayne Neal on steel guitar and guitar for “Need Me Around” and “Bad Way Again,” Garrick (Puddin’) Howell for harmonica and John McHugh with guitar, both on “Great Unknown.” Howell and McHugh can be heard trading licks in the first half of the solo and then Lore takes the last part of the solo for “Great Unknown.” Mixing and mastering was completed by Noah Frazee.
The album has some really strong bookends, but that doesn’t mean you should skip the “sweet spots” in the middle. There are several standouts and a few that have been featured as singles. The album opens with a couple beat-driven southern rockers, “Bad Way Again” and “Take It Away” and I thought the tracks were a great way for the band to shoot out of the gate. There’s a bit of a transition into a run of rock ballads. “I’m All In” is a charming declaration of longing and devotion recently released as a single.
The harmonious “Blankly Staring” tackles the topic of mental health. The song maintains an upbeat melody despite the weighty nature of the lyrics and it ends on a positive message of hope. I think that it is a well-purposed song as so many need to know they are not alone and that there is hope for better days. “When my back’s against the wall / and my head’s so full of doubt / I pick myself up when I fall / I may be down / but I’m not out.”
“Bottom of Love” gets a bluesy treatment with captivating keys and organ, guitar solo and strong vocals on this love song. “Miss Jones” is a lyrically heavy story about a mother mourning the loss of her son who is overcome by addiction, a topic that circles around the Eastern Kentucky region as they battle the opioid crisis that has ravaged the lives of many. “It’s not her fault / Who would put that on their mama? / A victim of circumstance / and never got to say goodbye.” The current single, “What I Almost Said,” walks that line of trying to decide how to tell someone your feelings for them. It’s filled with sweet sentiments that only swirl around in their head, but never move from lips to ear.
One of my favorite tracks is “Other Side.” I really enjoy the keys and guitar work that give it a bluesy groove with a big drum buildup and guitar solo near the end. If memory recalls, this was the song in the festival set that the crowd exploded over. Things slow down to a more traditional country music sound with the steel guitar waltz of “Need Me Around.” Nearing the end of the track list is the title track “Great Unknown.” A soaring, guitar-heavy highlight to the album, the song represents all of the dues paid by virtually unknown musicians who embody all the talent of a star, but never seem to actually get that “break” into stardom.
The album concludes with an acoustic track that takes an inside look into a female protagonist who deals with her grief and finds optimism by journaling her thoughts and feelings in “The Book & The Locket.” It makes for a lighthearted finale to an album that spans genres and relatable topics of love, mental illness and struggles with success.
This album is definitely one that will appeal to the masses. There is something for nearly every type of music consumer on Great Unknown. I can’t encourage anyone enough to get out and see Shelby Lore and his band rock a live show. This trio is a powerful force of talent that is only gaining momentum.
Find out more about Shelby Lore here: