Typhoid Mary – Take Shelter EP

Artist: Typhoid Mary
Album: Take Shelter EP
Label: Unsigned
Purchase: Interpunk, CDBaby
Release Date: January 16, 2007

Overall: 8.0
Music: 8.0
Lyrics: 8.0
Production: 8.5

Typhoid Mary deserves to be the band that you discover in 2007.Ԛ  Their debut EP Take Shelter combines the best of pop-punk/rock youth delivered in contagious, DIY-ethic doses. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia this unsigned band has all the talent of your run-of-the-mill Epitaph or Triple Crown band, yet boasts twice the memorability factor. Produced by Zack Odom & Kenneth Mount (Cartel, All Time Low, The Fold), Take Shelter is clearly a product of these famed producers as Typhoid Mary sounds eerily like pop-rock heroes Cartel with enough of the right guitar licks and vocal harmonies to make them more reputable than a throwaway sound-alike.

Not quite original, but admittedly catchy and polished, Take Shelter manages to engage from beginning to end. Opener “Dear Deceitful” starts with a howling siren and subliminal warnings before launching into a energetic and punchy rock anthem.Ԛ  Clearly these boys know the importance of a good guitar riff because if there are any expectations for Take Shelter, then the standout riff is it. “Last Line of Defense” is particularly clever around 1:24 when vocalist Mike Cato sings “you know the phone works both ways” and an automated voice recording cuts in as a well timed addition to the music. Speaking of Mike Cato, this guy has a great voice. It’s no Stephan Christian, but it’s clear and measured and does considerable justice on tracks like “Take Shelter” and “So Sorry” where the guitars take a backseat and the vocals steal the limelight.

All the tracks on Take Shelter are relatively high energy and upbeat. I’d like to see what Typhoid Mary can do on a down tempo tune because, really, that’s where the true test of a band’s talent lays. And honestly, I don’t think these guys give themselves enough credit because I think they’d do an awesome job on a ballad despite coming off as the type of band that knows its bread and butter is in the high energy hitter. On the downside, because Typhoid Mary are almost too practiced in their song writing style, many of the songs are interchangeable. However, this is to be expected from a band’s first effort, especially from one that is still unsigned.Ԛ  Hey labels get it together and sign these guys!

Track Listing:

1. Dear Deceitful
2. Last Line of Defense
3. Take Shelter
4. Filthy Habit
5. So Sorry
6. Leaving

Standout Tracks:

Dear Deceitful, Last Line of Defense, Take Shelter