Keys

The Keys have put together an album that is filled with good, down-home country charm. The lead guitar track on the title song "Here's to Love" is done on an acoustic guitar, giving the song a true, clean quality. This simple effect makes the song much more appealing than it would be if it employed a "big" screaming guitar sound. There are other instruments -- pedal steel guitar and keyboard, for example -- in the background that add color. The key part of the song that grabs the listener is the masterful harmony vocals done by Russ and Marie Keys. Their voices blend together with a smooth quality that is seldom heard; they truly complement each other. On "Home Tonight" the style takes a turn for a calypso feel. The vocals are ace and so are the bass and guitars, but the percussion is a weak link in the structure. The song could have used more of a percussive force. "Good at Loving You" is a great barroom boogie-woogie dance tune that incorporates the screaming electric lead guitar riffs. The vocals are of an exceptionally high quality due to the Keys' use of the harmonies, adding depth and color to the number. Another popular song at the dancehall is sure to be "Just a J.O.B.," with its infectious beat and contagious melody. It has a strong country-rock beat and some fantastic lyrics and listeners will find themselves singing along after hearing the tune a couple of times. What attracts country music fans to the genre are the stories that the songs generally tell, and this is true for the pieces in the repertoire of the Keys; they each tell a story that sparks the listener's attention. However, telling a tale wouldn't be enough to sell every song, and the Keys are well aware of that fact. That is why all of the pieces have interesting, charismatic melodies with danceable beats. The bond that holds their song structures together is the amazing vocal talent of Russ and Marie Keys. Together in harmony, they produce sweet music that is way too seldom heard and well worth the listener's attention. Russ Keys does the lead vocals for every tune except for "Who Are You," which features Marie Keys on lead vocals as well as harmony. This gives the listener the opportunity to hear the fantastic range that this vocalist has. Thirty-six minutes of some of the finest country music is what one can expect from the album. Its cost will seem a small price to pay for all the joy that it will bring to listeners who sing out with the Keys, "Here's to Love." ~ Larry Belanger, All Music Guide