The Well Wishers - Twenty-Four Seven

A full-bodied power pop album that will have fans of Matthew Sweet and The Posies jumping for joy! The Well Wishers are a band-new side project of veteran power poppers Spinning Jennies. Designed as a musical diversion of that bands` leader, Jeff Shelton, this album`s rich, melodic tracks are driven heavily by acoustic guitars; warm ringing electric guitars, and cascading vocal harmonies punctuated by Shelton`s penchant for elaborate pop arrangements. The end
result is a big, full-bodied album that transcends the staleness of commercial-rock and forgettable pop cliches. The Well Wisher`s aim is to creep into your life and extol the virtues of timeless, well-crafted music. "Shelton is one of those artist just born to do what they do. His voice naturally translates into pure pop..Also, prepare for an even greater appreciation for Shelton`s guitar playing here. He`s definitely the freedom of being The Well-Wishers to showcase this particular underrated talent as well. It all wouldn`t mean much if it wasn`t for the fact that Shelton knows how to put a tune together. This isn`t "cookie-cutter" pop, but rather short-and-sweet anthems built on great melodies and passionate delivery. Shelton` songs may have said goodbye to the power trio format, but it`s still serving as a preferred delivery.. The difference with Shelton is that he`s not trying to dazzle with studio trickery or by showcasing the sounds of albums that influenced him. In this case, Shelton`s a one man show that simply lets some fantastic music do the talking."-ShakeItUp. "It`s filled with so many irresistible distractions: Help!-era vocal harmonies, head-bopping upbeat tempos, acoustic guitars that ring with jangling aplomb, distinctly uplifting chord progressions"-PopMatters. " the Well Wishers` debut effort sounds more like classic Posies. Hell, "Bleed on the Outside"---in addition to being a hooky little gem that deftly combines acoustic and electric guitars and sports an amazingly swell pre-chorus and chorus---even sounds like a Posies song title And "The Game" (no, it`s not the Queen ditty) is even finer, with a fresh, acoustic backdrop and a lovely, understated lead vocal from Shelton, who handles nearly every instrument and vocal on the album himself. While TWENTY-FOUR SEVEN might be more of a case of musical palette broadening than a true search for a new sound, it`s still an unqualified success."-John M. Borack, Amplfier.

"(Lead singer) Jeff Shelton will garner more Posies comparisons than ever. You see, Shelton is blessed with a singing voice that`s two parts Stringfellow and
one part Auer, and since he clearly shares similar influences to that duo, his songs frequently sound Posie-esque. Fortunately, his songs are good enough
that The Well Wishers do not suffer by comparison. There are, of course, subtle differences that reflect Shelton`s specific mojo, which comes through a bit
more on the true rockers on the album and one ultracool change up.. It should be noted that on the more serious numbers, Shelton`s lyrics are accordingly
more ambitious. And just like The Posies, this sometimes works, and at times, things get a bit clunky. However, the music is so strong, that this is a minor issue. This will likely be considered one of the best power pop albums of 2004."-Fufkin.com

The Well Wishers - Under The Arrows

"Under The Arrows" has it all for the genuine power pop fans, chugging, melodic rhythms, powerful hooks, angelic vocals, verses that tickle `n hint at `the great money shot of a classic chorus and a respectful homage to pop peers. Those inspirations include the Shoes, The Posies, Nada Surf and Matthew Sweet. This
2nd album from Jeff Shelton, who plays almost everything on this release, is their next bold evolutionary step taking all the elements that made the debut, Twenty-Four Seven, such a favorite for many Not Lame fans. Like that album, "Under The Arrows" has plenty of rich, melodic tracks which driven heavily by acoustic
guitars; warm ringing electric guitars, and cascading vocal harmonies punctuated by Shelton`s penchant for elaborate pop arrangements. The end result is a big, full-bodied album that transcends the staleness of commercial-rock and forgettable pop cliches. But what is new here, what displays a confident flexing of creative muscle is a restless spirit to take what was natural of The Well Wishers` past and take that vision into some new places. Where that is most evident is on songs such as the elegiac, dreamy quality founds on "Before The Race Was Won" which sounds like the great, transcendent lost track from the "Dear 23" sessions of The Posies. The echoes of The Hollies are all over the place. Similarly, "Lost At Sea" mixes the classic balladry of, say, "Karen" by Shoes and combines it with the gorgeous, sparkling jangle of Toad The Wet Sprocket and The Ocean Blue. At the base of all these songs is the acoustic guitar. Lots of it, always driving the rhythms with those stringed swells comes a raw emotionalism that paints melodies that just ring true. This is not maudlin pop, it`s filled with life, a vision to look at the best in people all reflected wonderfully in power of the music. Well Wishers, indeed.

"Jeff Shelton continues to be one of power pops best kept secrets. First, with the Spinning Jennies and now with The Well Wishers, Shelton bashes out melodic
rockers that blend a Posies-like 60`s pop base with the energy and guitar crunch of greats like Cheap Trick and Redd Kross. This is probably best exemplified on the penultimate track, "Brain Trust Odyssey". Shelton gets things going with a careening guitar riff that bursts out of the speakers with a nice thick yet ringing tone. This song verges on pop-punk (in a classic Buzzcocks/Undertones sense), to
give you an idea of its muscularity. The big riff is contrasted by some gentler chording in the verses, which sets up a perfect chorus..

"Californian Jeff Shelton has done his bit for the pop underground cause. Whether it is with the Who-channeling power trio The Spinning Jennies or his current incarnation, the slightly poppier Well Wishers, Sheltons craft has never been too far from discerning power pop fans preferred listening habits. Now, the Well Wishers has blessed us with a sophomore effort, Under the Arrows. Essentially, if you enjoyed the fine debut release then, you will certainly thrill to Sheltons concoction of melodic hooks, jaunty rhythms and power chords. There is also a higher level of poignant folky moments e.g. "Before the Race Was Run," "Lost At Sea," and "Lucky You" which provides a good change of pace. For me, it`s Sheltons healthy approximation of the Guided by Voices oeuvre with "In Search Of Alter Egos," "Break It Up" and "Brain Trust Odyssey (now doesn't that even sound like a Robert Pollard title?) that makes Under the Arrows a worthy investment."-Night Times.

While a Well Wishers disc of wall-to-wall rockers would likely be great, Shelton would be doing himself a disservice if he didn`t include some mellower material. For one thing, it plays to his vocal strengths. I can`t help but note that Shelton sounds a fair amount like Jon Auer as a vocalist, and that`s a real good thing, in my book.. This album shows that you can make adult power pop.. With two top-notch efforts in a row, Shelton has established The Well Wishers as a band you can count on to deliver a quality album."-Fufkin.com.

This is quote from The Power Of Pop, an online zine, that really captures the excitement of The Well Wishers and serve not only the debut well, but "Under The Arrows". "How can anyone get tired of the sheer musical passion and melodic intensity that quality power pop offers? Chiming Rickenbacker arpeggios, charming tunes, power chord dynamics, walls of harmonies, frenetic drum work, jaunty rhythms, orchestral constructs there is no limit to what artistic power pop can sound like. As much as I enjoyed the work of Jeff Sheltons Spinning Jennies,
I've always thought that Jeff could do much more than the driving guitar pop that his group excelled in.

I was right!

The Well Wishers is.. perhaps one of the best power pop albums of the year..Jeffs crowning achievement is to sustain a consistent flow throughout to produce a kaleidoscopic presentation of our beloved artform."