Shelter are a band with a definite parking spot here at GDM. It’s a wonder that they haven’t been mentioned previously in our hallowed halls. Hopefully this article will put paid to that oversight.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Shelter
ALBUM: First Stop
LABEL: Polydor
SERIAL: 810 689-1
YEAR: 1983
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Joe Lamente – lead vocals, guitars * Russ De Salvo – guitars * Peter Valentine – keyboards * Carl Bova – bass, vocals * Billy Messinetti – drums, background vocals
TRACK LISTING: 01 On The Line * 02 So Glad I Found You * 03 The Way I Feel * 04 Who Do You Love * 05 Why * 06 Underneath Your Make-up * 07 Shelter * 08 Tricks * 09 Foolish Lovers * 10 Because Of Love
Shelter Background
Shelter are a band with a definite paid-up parking spot here at Glory Daze. It is a wonder (and a shame) that they have not been mentioned previously in our hallowed halls. Hopefully this article will put paid to that oversight.
One guy who hasn’t been ignored is the acclaimed singer Joe Lamente. Joe, prior to Shelter had stints with other well-known outfits from the 70’s/80’s era: namely Spy, and Steeplechase. The latter band released their tremendous debut back in 1981 on their own label Big City Records.
Because Steeplechase failed to make it out of the minor leagues (so to speak), Joe moved on. Within a year he had hooked up with the above named musicians to form Shelter. And though they were signed to a big label in Polydor, this album seems to have slipped the radar of many.
The Songs
The songs on ‘First Stop’ is where the strength of this band shines through. They dabble in AOR/pomp.Its in the same vein as Balance, Foreigner, Le Roux. They also take on a West Coast sheen as well. The resulting sound is delicious.
Opening up with ‘On The Line’, Shelter immediately lay out their intentions for all to see. The pulsing bass lines, and incredible chorus set the scene for more to come.
‘So Glad You I Found You’ has a ‘Hot Blooded’ (Foreigner) riff through it. Even the vocal has Lou Gramm wrapped around it, though the chorus is definite pomp material.
‘The Way I Feel’ is the epitome of radio rock/AOR from the era. The warmth of Lamente’s vocal has to be heard. Again, the chorus is superlative. You’ll be asking yourself ‘why I haven’t I checked out this album sooner?’.
‘Who Do You Love’ has a hard driving sound similar to ‘Up’ era Le Roux. Even the stabbing pianos toward the end there sound so similar.
‘Why’ opens up with a softish intro, moving this song in a West Coast direction. The juicy harmony vocals on the chorus will have you hooked.
Side two of the album starts out with the energetic rocker ‘Underneath Your Makeup’. Think Balance and Michael Stanley Band joining forces at a party and it’ll be something like this.
Helicopter effects whir in on the track ‘Shelter’, the song is predominantly mid-paced, and has a certain element of suspense about it. Not unlike the undercover lover stance taken by some other artists around about this time in history.
‘Tricks’ sees Lamente’s vocal sound similar to Coney Hatch‘s Carl Dixon. Similarly this is followed up by ‘Foolish Lovers’ which has an insistent pumping chorus that’ll be hard to shake. Next to ‘The Way I Feel’ this is probably the albums best moment.
The band finish of with the West Coast sounding ‘Because Of Love’. The popping bass and mid-tempo style reminiscent of Ambrosia during their 1979-1982 era.
In Summary
Decades later in 2018, Shelter saw an official CD reissue from Rock Candy. It finally saw an item removed off the CD Reissue List, once and for all. Shelter meanwhile is truly well worth the listen. Get it while it’s hot.
Shelter on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
