Several years ago, when I got back into photographing live music, the Shelby Lore Band was the first artist to grace the viewfinder.  With that in mind, I thought it is only fitting that as I start (as time allows) posting album and possibly show reviews here on Off the Trail Photography’s blog, that their forthcoming EP, Step Right Up is the first album review.

Step Right Up, the third release from the Shelby Lore Band is released on all platforms on July28,2023.  The band’s first two releases, No Name Town and Great Unknown set a high bar for Step Right Up.  In addition to the Shelby Lore Band (Shelby Lore – Guitar and Lead Vocals, Tyler Kiser – Bass and Vocals, and Luke Estep – Drums), Step Right Up features Chase Lewis on Organs and Keyboard.  Step Right Up was recorded at SLB Studios in Ashland, KY and mixed/mastered by Matt McQueen of Gem City Studios in Jellico, TN.

Step Right Up opens with ’Get Away Car’, the first single release from the album. With ’Get Away Car’, a song about what makes you tick/ what is your escape from the daily grind in life, Lore took a novel approach to the video ( you can watch it  here, Get Away Car).  Enlisting help from the avid listener/ Shelby Lore fan, many of whom are featured in the video, the band set a high bar for the rest of the album. In addition to ‘Get Away Car’, the band also released a second single off the EP already, ‘Get Away Car’ and ‘Trip N Fall’, both these singles are a great introduction to the Shelby Lore sound.  High energy country rock tinged in the blues with Shelby’s guitar virtuoso on full display in both.

My favorite track on the EP is ‘Honky Tonk Bars’ by far.  This raucous romp of a song not only provided the title for the review but offers an interesting view of trying to make it in today’s music scene.  “Now before I tell this story, let me set the record straight.  I don’t want to sound ungrateful for what puts the bacon on my plate. “Lore laments “Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound made Hank a wealthy man, but it don’t pay the same for this three-piece band.   We tried to make it out in the city, but they just want to hear something they know. How many songs can there be about whiskey and trucks?  I need something that will feed my soul”.  This one is a hard look at the life of a working musician struggling to play original music and being ‘sentenced to life behind honky tonk bars’.  Instead of ‘playing Freebird til they let us free’, Shelby, Luke, and Tyler would rather be ‘rocking up the country, like some hellions from the holler. Turn an amp up to eleven, trying to throw a couple dollars in the bank.”  If this song doesn’t get your blood flowing and feet moving, you may want to check your pulse.

Step Right Up is definitely a Shelby Lore album.  Two slower songs (’20 Dollar Song’ and ‘Out of Sight’) along with four rocking, frolicking ones (‘Get Away Car’, ‘From the Ashes’, ‘Trip N Fall’, and ‘Honky Tonk Bars’).  Lore is releasing this one at the perfect time as I can see Step Right Up providing an excellent soundtrack to summer.  From top down drives, to bbqs and get togethers, this one is going to be playing everywhere as we enjoy summer.  Step Right Up releases on all platforms on July 28,2023.  Be sure to visit the band’s web site (shelbyloremusic.com) and follow them on social media (Facebook, Instagram).