Catherine understands how to take a minimalistic approach to music. Her CD uses a whooping 4 to 8 tracks (if that). Another indie artist by the name of Chris Patrick Chamblee used this same idea to record 4 albums in the mid 90's and another release in early 2000. He used a drum kit, vocals and two bass guitars. One bass was distorted to sound like a baratone guitar while the other bass sounded, like a bass. Listening to Chris I realized that many of his songs had a great foundation but simply needed the added dimension of a few guitars and some keyboards.

I contacted Chris and asked if he would object to me taking a few of his minimalistic songs and cover them with my guitar and keyboard work. He agreed to give my idea a try and the results were pretty amazing. If you are Interested you can visit the Tracks Across America series and read about how our work together started a musical movement.

I say this because what is missing on this release is the band aspect. Catherine has released what appears to be a demo of 10 songs that are ready for the rest of the band members to add their respective parts. If she was attempting to do the Johnny Ramone style of recording, she was successful. I noticed she listed the Ramones as one of her influences so maybe she did succeed at what she set out to accomplish.

The CD was produced, mixed, recorded and performed by Catherine Anderson using Sony Acid 4.0, Sound Forge Pro 3.0 as well as Vegas Pro 7.0. I suspect the fact that the CD was recorded over a 7 year period between 2000 and 2007 that so many recording softwares had been involved. The CD was recorded at Second Bass Studio in Potomac, Maryland with mastering being handled at Franford Wayne Mastering. The CD sound quality was very respectable considering the minimal nature of the recording. Catherine's voice is unique yet pleasant to the ears. The instruments fit well in the sound stage with Catherine's voice clearly front and center.

Many releases I have reviewed over the years that are the work of a single musician suffer from similar fates as Fashion Accessories did. The lack of additional musicians spawn creative ideas as well as additional diminsions of instrumentation. Over the course of 7 years you would think that Catherine would have come across a few players that could add more excitement to the overall project.

If this CD didn't sound like a demo ment to be introduced to the band then I would give the CD a pass. Unfortunatly, this was a completed work. As a result I give Catherine a 4 star rating for trying and a 3 star rating overall.