Album Notes

Shoot Out the Lights is everything the band's name suggests and much more. Armed with loads of enthusiasm and never forgetting to Roll along with the Rock, the influences and efforts of this Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky based quintet are apparent on their newly released, self titled album. The band's songs range from heartfelt love songs to more up-front sexual notions, and get-after-it rock n' roll party songs.

The song writing skills honed by singer/songwriter and guitarist Josh Muddiman have been polished over the last several years of constant playing. His long time musical cohort, guitarist Joshua Howard, makes the album shine, while bassist Matt “Mook” McCormick and drummer Alan Topolski provide a rock solid and rhythmic foundation. The final musical touches came via a young high school band director, turned rock musician, Elaina Brown. Her vocals, keys and overall musical talent add the final ingredient to a wonderfully raucous first album.

With the help of producer Mike Tekulve, the band created nine highly polished jewels and released the LP in March 2011. Highlights of the album include “Stay Beautiful”, which is a trippy electric journey, with precision lyrics and haunting background vocals that take us inside what could be love and devotion. “Kiss You So Hard” moves us to the all or nothing ultimatum of a relationship teetering on the brink of success or failure. With the song “You & Me,” Josh Muddiman and Elaina Brown share the vocals in a fitting country rock song. The song is a tip of the cap to classic country duets. Toward the end of the album the song “Hello My Love” is a boot stomping, beer drinking, howl at the moon type song that will have audiences and fans singing along.

The band is working hard to gain regional recognition and writing new songs for their second album. Performances include songs from the new album, a mix of other new and old originals, and occasional select cover songs. Live, the vocal blending and wholehearted performances of Josh and Elaina is something music fans need to experience. According to Cincinnati journalist Danielle Custentino of Cincinnati Metromix Magazine, "Move over, Rhett Miller, Cincinnati has its own upbeat, Americana infused rock band that surpasses your Old 97s. Yes, you heard me correctly. I went there." Mike Breen of City Beat had this to say; "While the songs...have a Roots aftertaste, this is more soulful, melodic Rock than AltCountry. Singer Josh Muddiman has a perfect Rock & Roll voice, which is bathed in a smoky rasp, giving the melodies and lyrics an extra "lived-in" depth."