Eric Wilson | Nashville, TN United States | 03/24/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Great no matter what people say!
Eric Wilson | 01/04/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"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"."
Good Album
Erica Anderson | 11/29/2001
(3 out of 5 stars)
"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."
About half is supreb but the whole can't match the debut
Erica Anderson | 09/24/1999
(3 out of 5 stars)
"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.""
The gift
Erica Anderson | Minneapolis, MN | 11/28/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"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."