Earl, Shelby / Man Who Made Himself A Name , The
Album: Man Who Made Himself A Name , The   Collection:General
Artist:Earl, Shelby   Added:Feb 2018
Label:Nine Mile Records  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2018-02-23 Pull Date: 2018-04-27
Week Ending: Apr 29 Apr 22 Apr 15 Apr 8 Mar 11
Airplays: 1 3 2 2 1

Recent Airplay
1. Mar 05, 2024: Traditions - Women in folk & country
Boxing Gloves
4. Apr 20, 2018: KZSU Time Traveler
The Man Who Made Himself A Name
2. Apr 27, 2018: Traditions
Strong Swimmer
5. Apr 20, 2018: Traditions
Boxing Gloves
3. Apr 21, 2018: Music Casserole
Strong Swimmer
6. Apr 13, 2018: KZSU Time Traveler
The Man Who Made Himself A Name

Album Review
Be Sharp
Reviewed 2018-02-13
INDIE ROCK

This is Seattle-based singer-songwriter Shelby Earl’s third album. Despite the occasional hint of a twang in her voice or from a guitar, and although the songs are about emotions & relationships, I’m calling this a rock record, not a folk-rock one. Earl wrote or co-wrote all the songs. She’s got a powerful, expressive, likable voice. Accompaniment is guitar, keys, bass, drums, and backing vocals.

FCC violation in track 11.


1 Mid-tempo. Ironic song about a shallow “player.” Strong singing. Jangly guitar, synths, steady rhythm. Title track & intended first single, but I like others more. (3:33)
2 Mid-fast. About a guy who loved & left. Strong beat. Guitar solo; synth, drums. (3:43)
3 * Slow. Elegant, seductive love song. Guitar solo, strings, nice backing vocals. (3:50)
4 Mid-tempo. Surfy, jangly guitar; retro electric piano. About an obsession? (2:57)
5 * Slow. Love song with a surprising suggestion. Smoldering voice, elec piano; punctuated by solo guitar licks. Gorgeous song. (3:12)
6 ** Slow. Gospel choir intro. Strummed acoustic guitar & good folksong singing. A compelling statement about emotional resilience. (3:38)
7 Slow. Plaintive ballad with deep-voiced Josiah Johnson (The Head & The Heart). (3:35)
8 ** Mid-tempo rocker in waltz time. Cynical look at love & emotional dependence. (3:23)
9 Mid-tempo rocker. Rebellious lyric. Elec piano, synth, Theremin, driving drums. (3:32)
10 ** Mid-slow. Acoustic guitar, elec piano. Pretty song about a love that’s not right. (3:04)
11 (FCC: “shit”) * Slow. Powerful, sad song. Deep feeling. Church organ continuo. (3:31)

Track Listing
1. The Man Who Made Himself A Name   6. Strong Swimmer
2. James   7. Like I Do
3. Stay With Me Tonight   8. Chemical Hearts
4. The Vapors   9. Not Afraid To Die
5. Call Her Mercy   10. Boxing Gloves
  11. What Am I To Do?