Welcome to the EvO:R Independent CD Reviews Section.
I would like to take a few minutes to introduce ourselves to everyone. The EvO:R review section features reviews from various independent musicians that submit material for our consideration.

I wanted to let you know a little about our review teams collective thoughts on music. It's important to let the people that we review know how we think of their music and how we listened to their creations.

First of all, we strongly believe that if your music stinks then the world should know about it! After all, you have the nerve to charge as much for your stuff as the majors do so it better be pretty damn good. If your material is good, we'll be glad to tell the world. I We will hold nothing back! That is a promise.
The EvO:R CD Review Team

Aries Road is a mellow rock, blues and acoustic band from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma made up of 2 members, Ashley McCarty and Ryan McCarty. Both originally from Texas, they met in a small town in Oklahoma, and have been married since 2006. When they were engaged, Ryan noticed Ashley humming out a melody to a song he had been writing. A couple of days later, Ashley had written the lyrics to "California", which would become their first single. By 2009, the songwriting couple had finished self-producing their full-length debut album "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.

Song Samples from the CD
All song samples are from The Aries Road page on CD Baby.

1. Going Home
2. Watch Over Me
3. I'm Free
4. California
5. Old Soul
6. Marianne
7. Real World
8. Valley of Ruse

Conclusion:

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 McCarthy’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...EvO:R Reviewer.

About the reviewer- Jimmy Caterine has numerous album credits to his name. He is most noted as founder, guitarist and co-writer for 80’s metal quartet, Sacred Rite (Capitol Records.) He has worked with top name professionals in the industry. This would include Grammy Award winning producer Sonny Limbo (Bertie Higgins) and publishing coordinator Randall Wixen (Fleetwood Mac, Jackson Brown.)

Aside from his original projects he did a 3 month stint playing guitar for the live stage production of Rocky Horror Picture Show in 1987. He was the guitarist for MGM recording artist and power house vocalist, Sami Jo Cole (Tell Me a Lie) in 1995. He has also played with classic rock tribute act Time Machine, on the Las Vegas convention circuit in ’97 and ’98.

Following a car accident in 2001 Jimmy Caterine took a break from performing. He was reluctant to return to the stage due to PTSD. In the years that followed Jimmy took an inward journey to confront his own personal demons. While away he had to come to terms with the many changes in the music industry. During his hiatus he created and released two independent solo CD’s.

In 2007 Jimmy recorded and released a reunion CD with Sacred Rite. Currently Jimmy owns Soulaire Sound which is a mobile recording/live sound reinforcement company in Phoenix, AZ. He performs regularly with his organic jazz sextet, Dream Chemistry.

If you’d like to know more about Jimmy Caterine you can visit the following web sites:
DreamChemistry.com
Caterine-Music.com
SoulaireSound.com
SacredRite.com

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