AMG Review of Down in the Shacks Where the Satellite Dishes Grow

Tom Demalon
All Music Guide

The JudyBats, who had formed as college students in Knoxville, released their second album, the wordily titled Down in the Shacks Where the Satellite Dishes Grow, in 1992. There is a definite R.E.M. influence in the band's jangly sound, but there are also elements of Brit-pop, particularly the Smiths. The Smiths vibe is obvious on the opening track, "Our Story." Lead singer Jeff Heiskell possesses the droll delivery of Morrissey, but without the overly dramatic mannerisms. "She's Sad She Said," is a delightful slice of pop music despite the somber lyric about the musings of an objectified woman. Guitarists Ed Winters and Johnny Sughrue provide a backdrop that ranges from chiming to sweetly melodic and Peg Hambright contributes some lovely harmonies and violin. Other standouts include the title track,with its nursery rhyme-like lyric, "Poor Bruised World," and a cover of the Ray Davies-penned "Animal Farm." Sweetly melodic and impressively tuneful.