Boochie Shepherd comes rippin’ out of the gate with rapid-fire lyrics and heavy guitar riffs on opener “Vertical,” but it’s the rock beats that first turn your head. The melodic chaser, “Perfect Little World,” grabs you with its bounce, but it’s the slow-burning “All is Forgiven” that seals the deal, as frontman Brandon McCaghren’s warm tones soar over the old school rock chord changes in recognition of the cross and its hard-won gifts. McCaghren’s vocals are easy to listen to, clear and warm, moving easily from fun (electrified opener “Vertical”), to fierce (“Brighten Your Eyes”), to quietly worshipful (with the sparkling Jennifer Hubbard on “I Am Safe”). The strong melody line of standout track “All the King’s Horses” is putty in his hands, the well-crafted song packing a poignant punch both lyrically and vocally.
Those writing chops shine once again with the wildly hooky “Plain and Simple,” featuring spotless instrumentation and irresistible beats. The second half of the album moves into slightly more overtly worship, with the harmonious “What Should I Fear,” its sweet background vocals and guitar noodling beautifully supporting McCaghren’s passionate vocals. Electric howler “Pull My String” features lumbering chord changes and a blistering guitar solo, placed, in an interesting move, next to the sleepy soother, the closing “Voice.” But Boochie Shepherd is more than capable of handling a wide range of styles, as you’ll see if you catch them on their “Get Vertical 2007” Tour. It’s a safe bet to assume we’ll be hearing more from Boochie Shepherd.
