EvO:R Entertainment – Review of Keyholder

I am slowly but surely making it through this stack of CD’s on my desk. I have heard some great music and some not so great music. In fact, the last few discs, until now, have ranged in the ‘not so great’ category. I was beginning to get discouraged.

Aries Road – Keyholder is a fantastic record. There are no over the top progressions or overzealous playing but that is what makes it so good. There is a certain energy here that permeates through this couples connection with one another that makes it special.

I am on my third listen now and I have changed my mind about which is my favorite track all three times. I love the acoustic and clean electric guitar sounds on this record, especially. A great example would be the track, Marianne, which happens to be my favorite at the moment. The multi layered guitars really bring life to the stereo field and sets an excellent backdrop for Ashley’s, Stevie Nicks like, vocals.

There were times that I started daydreaming a bit and thought I was listening to Stevie. I liked Ashley’s voice through most of this record, but I think the low point was the very last track, Leavin’ You. Ashley’s vocal on this track was much too raw and pitchy for my taste. Not to mention, standard blues type tunes bore me to tears. There are just too many artists that are really good at it –so if you are not –why bother? Of course, this is my personal opinion and should not take away from what I feel is a magical record, otherwise.

Tracks that really stand out are Going Home, California and Old Soul. I don’t know if I should bring this up but the song Real World really gave me a stony feeling (not hard stony but high stony.) It took me back to senior year in high school. It’s always a good thing when a song can take you to another time. The production on Keyholder is near excellent as well as the song arrangements. There is a market out there for this music and I hope that Aries Road is diligent at getting it heard by as many people as possible.

I think Aries Road had a good niche` with their more folk and light rock side. My only complaint is the last track. I just don’t think it needed to be on the disc. The rest of Keyholder is magical and I am anticipating more good song crafting from the McCarty’s. I would recommend this CD to fans of Fleetwood Mac/Stevie Nicks, All About Eve, and perhaps Gypsy Soul. Aries Road –Keyholder gets an A-.

Jimmy Caterine   READ MORE @ EvO:R