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

This is Eric’s latest (11th) recording.
It is a raw in-your-face event. Eric’s voice is raw as well, but in a Dr John smoky way. Eric’s somewhat limited vocal range is nevertheless gripping, as far is it goes. He emotes the words, hell, he seems to live them. The musicians on this CD are varied.

David Gulliver, on drums is solid, if somewhat limited, though I suspect that to some extent this is due to the material and arrangements, and no reflection on his abilities. Jacob Thompson also contributed vocals.

Gary Edmonds and Fiedor share the electric guitar duties, Jason Herndon appears on acoustic. Stacy Morris on bass is also limited somewhat by the material, in that it is not a bass showcase.

This is an ensemble affair, however, and the pieces are knitted to together solidly, nothing is out of place. The arrangements are simple, the songs are short, so of course that limits somewhat the input of the musicians, since the tunes have very little time for everyone to stand out, the track 3, ‘Steak and Potatoes’ has a cool riff, and a bit more adventure in the arrangement.

However, although I like the sounds, I was somewhat disappointed by the lack of variety. Let me be clear, the songs, INDIVIDUALLY, have a solid rockin’ feel. It’s just that almost all of them are in the same key, in fact the first 2 I thought at first were part one and two of the same tune, because they were so similar.

That said, the crunchy guitar sound is pleasing to me. Eric has a niche for his sound. The band sounds tight, remarkable, since according to the liner notes, Fiedor states that the musicians had never heard the material.. The production is clean, intimate and mixed hot, AND there is an intensity, likely due to the immediacy of the musicians working with new ( to them) material.

Fiedor has worked with several ‘name’ people and his previous recordings have garnered a lot of attention.

Song Samples from the CD
All song samples are from the Eric Fiedor Website.

 
Samantha (Listen)
Hold On (Listen)
Steak And Potatoes (Listen)
Last Will and Testament (Listen)
White Man (Listen)
Should Have Been Dead (Listen)
Upside Down Rainbows (Listen)
Take My Sins Away (Listen)

Conclusion:

This CD is what it is. It is raw, honest, not perfect, but not bad either.

Raw honesty is what makes this work for me. There is NOTHING FAKE on this record.
Nothing contrived.
That is admirable.

Joel Pirard...EvO:R Reviewer.

The EvO:R CD Reviews Home Page



Want EvO:R to review your music?
It will be honest and above all, very interesting. All you need to do is send your CD to: