Benjamin Tod returns to the spotlight with his latest solo effort, Shooting Star, set for release on October 18, 2024, via Thirty Tigers.
For those unfamiliar with Tod’s work—and let’s face it, I assume you are if you’re reading this—2024 has marked a creative rebirth for the Lost Dog Street Band frontman. Earlier this year, the band released Survived, an album I consider not just their strongest to date but easily one of the standout releases of the year.
Survived showcased a broader, more expansive sound, adding a full string band to the mix and pushing Tod’s folk and roots influences to new heights. The result was a richer, more textured album that captured the grit and spirit of Tod’s lyrics and the lifestyle he so authentically embodies. It’s hard to overstate the significance of this shift—it was the sound of an artist leveling up, stepping outside the confines of the singer-songwriter mold to craft something raw, whole, and undeniably powerful.
Shooting Star is no different. Tod has been teasing this solo project for well over a year, with promises to take his roots exploration even further—this time diving headfirst into honky-tonk. Described as a tribute to the golden eras of country music, from the 1950s onward, the album is Tod’s homage to the sound he grew up with. It’s a journey into the heart of old-school country, paying respects to the legends while also confronting the industry’s current state.
I was fortunate enough to catch the Lost Dog Street Band on their Survived tour, where Tod opened up about Shooting Star—what it means to him, the influence classic country had on his upbringing, and his frustrations with the modern country scene. He gave a short monologue about the injustices of the genre and his thoughts on essentially being denied a seat at the table. He then proceeded to, almost literally, bring the house down with the searing title track, Shooting Star, quite possibly the most badass F*** you to Music Row i’ve ever heard.
Shooting Star is one of Tod’s boldest statement yet—a defiant stand against the Nashville establishment, wrapped in the timeless sounds of honky-tonk.
Style and Influence
Final Thoughts
Album Release: October 18, 2024
Favorite Track: Shooting Star
RootsnRevelry Grade:
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