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
Stylistically, Shooting Star is a natural fit. Tod’s sharp wit and lyrical depth feel right at home within the genre. Though it’s officially labeled as a “Country” album, the spirit of the famed “three chords and the truth” mantra comes alive in Tod’s unique brand of self-proclaimed misery. The record blends modern Red Dirt Americana influences with the timeless twang of Hank Williams-style honky tonk, anchored by the pedal steel guitar. The opening track, Ain’t The Man, sets the tone with an almost spectral nod to Williams himself.
Throughout the album, Tod masterfully weaves between country subgenres. Tracks like Mary Could You evoke the “Bakersfield Sound” with their crisp, full band production, while Satisfied With Your Love dips into the playful rhythms of Western Swing. No matter what label you try to attach to Shooting Star, it remains a solid piece of honky tonk history, especially in terms of its instrumentation. The album is rich with pedal steel, honky tonk piano, sharp Telecaster leads, and galloping bass lines that drive the 10-track LP forward with a pulse that’s as authentic as it gets.
Standout Tracks
Ain’t The Man sets the stage perfectly as the opening track, embodying the Hank Williams-esque honky tonk style I referenced earlier. The haunting pedal steel gives the song an almost ghostly quality, pulling listeners right into Tod’s world of heartache and defiance. Lyrically, Tod stands firm in his conviction, unapologetically declaring that he won’t conform to anyone’s expectations: “I ain’t the man you think I am.” It’s a fitting introduction to an artist who’s going to do things his own way, whether you like it or not.
Mary Could You shifts gears with a more upbeat, rocking energy that contrasts the rest of the album. Here, Tod leans into his train-hopping roots, delivering a lively ballad about outlaws seeking refuge at Mary’s place—a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to women, whiskey, or medical help. With lines like “Well I’m stabbed in the back and I’m gunnin’ for that stack / Oh Mary could you stitch me up,” Tod paints a vivid picture of this wild, lawless narrative, making it one of the more dynamic tracks on the LP.
The title track, Shooting Star, is hands down the album’s standout. Dark, eerie, and brimming with self-reflection, this song serves as Tod’s commentary on the state of modern country music. He recounts his struggles and rejection by the gatekeepers of Music City, despite paying his dues many times over. The tension builds until Tod delivers the album’s defining, bone-chilling epitaph: “But I don’t kneel for you or anyone.” ……Literally makes the hairs on my neck stand straight up.
Then there’s One Last Time, a gem in its own right. You can’t go wrong when folk music royalty Benjamin Tod and Sierra Ferrell team up for a duet. Ferrell’s vocals, as always, are stunning, and they pair beautifully with Tod’s raw, heartfelt delivery. The result is a somber, yet emotionally resonant track, offering a brief respite from the album’s grittier honky tonk moments. It’s a classic love-gone-wrong ballad that adds depth to the LP’s overall narrative.
Final Thoughts
Benjamin Tod’s latest album, Shooting Star, continues to embody the raw authenticity that has made him a beloved figure in modern Americana. True to form, the LP is lyrically dense, emotionally charged, and profoundly real. Tod has long been praised for his distinctive songwriting, and this release is no exception—it’s steeped in personal truths, unflinching honesty…and well…trains of course.
However, for fans of Lost Dog Street Band, Tod’s shift toward Honky Tonk might feel like a curveball. If we’re playing Devil’s advocate, this stylistic change could challenge those who’ve come to expect a more traditional folk and roots sound. Yet, in terms of Tod’s intent and messaging, Shooting Star hits the mark with deadly precision.
This album is less a departure from Tod’s essence and more a bold reclamation of what country music can be. It feels like a personal protest against the polished, commercialized Nashville sound, delivering instead a stripped-down, unapologetic version of country music that’s as gritty as it is genuine. Tod brings his life experiences and musical influences into the mix, crafting what could be considered a “True Country Album” in defiance of the mainstream.
Message received, Mr. Tod. Loud and clear.
Album Release: October 18, 2024
Favorite Track: Shooting Star
RootsnRevelry Grade:
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