Editor’s Note: This project could take me years and years to complete, but that’s okay! It allows me to revisit recording artists/bands of the past, while allowing Madness To Creation to get introduced to upstarts that are ready to get in the game, which is appropo for this edition of A-Z Throwback Reviews featuring Provo, Utah’s own The Aces.
The Aces initially got their start in 2008 and they are composed of Cristal Ramirez on vocals/guitars, Katie Henderson on guitars, McKenna Petty on bass, and Alisa Ramirez on drums. They started off in somewhat typical fashion, at teen events and school assemblies, before making it onto the non-alcohol club scene in Provo, Utah. Provo had many venues where artists, specifically minors could hone their craft due to the fact that alcohol is not served at many of these clubs and The Aces began to get noticed by various publications such as Provo Buzz and Paste Magazine. In 2016, The Blue Aces changed their name to The Aces and signed a record deal with Red Bull Records.
Since then, The Aces have released their EP entitled “I Don’t Like Being Honest”, which includes the music videos for “Physical” and “Baby Who”. “Physical” was released as a music video on April 19th, 2017 and it boasts over 250,000 hits on YouTube and “Baby Who” was released as a music video in July 2017 and it boasts about 35,000 hits on YouTube.
“I Don’t Like Being Honest” EP starts off with the incredible track entitled “Physical”. I immediately notice Cristal’s pop-tinged vocals and the incredibly infectious hooks that The Aces boast throughout the song. The guitar hooks are incredibly underrated and they should not go unnoticed by the listener either. It’s just an enjoyable listen that has the potential to cross multiple genres, it has that mix of Pink mixed with The Bangles with pure sass thrown into the mix. It has that touch of Canadian boy band Soul Decision thrown in there as well from an arrangement standpoint. Check out the video below!
The EP goes into the second track entitled “Baby Who”. This track talks about how important and meaningful friendships and relationships should be, as they say those are the best kind of ships. The arrangements and rhythm causes listeners to tap their toes and snap their fingers while a leather jacket is slung over them in a dark alley as this song becomes the soundtrack to that moment that I just illustrated. The rhythm section that Katie and McKenna incorporate in there absolutely serves the song, which is what a good pop/rock song should do. The chorus is soaring and anthem filled as well. Check out the video below!
The EP closes off with the track entitled “Touch”. “Touch” has such an amazing pre-chorus to it as they explore a bit of a new wave with touches of garage rock feel to the track, while still maintaining that pop feel that The Aces are going to undoubtedly trademark before long! The guitars that Cristal and Katie intertwine in this song undoubtedly are the hallmark of this song and EP.
Go pick up a copy of “I Don’t Like Being Honest” by The Aces wherever it’s sold. You won’t regret it. People believe in love at first sight, I believe in love at first listen when it comes to music, and The Aces are living proof of that! Madness To Creation is blown away with this 9 out of 10 star offering!
Here is the track listing below:
- Physical
- Baby Who
- Touch
The Aces will be providing direct support for Coin in 2018, check out tour dates below!
Thursday, February 1st- Revolution Live in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Friday, February 2nd- Beacham Theatre in Orlando, Florida
Saturday, February 3rd- Ritz Ybor in Tampa, Florida
Wednesday, February 7th- Buckhead Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia
Friday, February 9th – Irving Plaza in New York, New York
Saturday, February 10th- 9:30 Club in Washington D.C.
Sunday, February 11th- TLA in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Tuesday, February 13th- Paradise Rock Club in Boston, Massachusetts
Friday, February 16th- The Mod Club in Toronto, Canada
Saturday, February 17th- St. Andrews Hall in Detroit, Michigan
Sunday, February 18th- House Of Blues in Cleveland, Ohio
Thursday, February 22nd- Newport Music Hall in Columbus, Ohio
Friday, February 23rd- The Mercury Ballroom in Louisville, Kentucky
Saturday, February 24th- House Of Blues in Chicago, Illinois
Sunday, February 25th- Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Tuesday, February 27th- Delmar Hall in St. Louis, Missouri
Wednesday, February 28th- The Truman in Kansas City, Missouri
Friday, March 2nd- Granada Theatre in Dallas, Texas
Saturday, March 3rd- White Oak Downstairs in Houston, Texas
Sunday, March 4th- Scoot Inn in Austin, Texas
Tuesday, March 6th- The Van Buren in Phoenix, Arizona
Wednesday, March 7th- The Loft @ UCSD in La Jolla, California
Friday, March 9th- The Fonda in Los Angeles, California
Saturday, March 10th- The Fillmore in San Francisco, California
Monday, March 12th- Wonder Ballroom in Portland, Oregon
Tuesday, March 13th- Biltmore Cabaret in Vancouver, Canada
Wednesday, March 14th- Showbox in Seattle, Washington
Friday, March 16th- The Depot in Salt Lake City, Utah
Saturday, March 17th- Gothic in Denver, Colorado
For tickets and further information in regards to Coin’s North American Tour with special guests The Aces, click here!
On Sunday, June 10th- The Aces will be performing at LaureLive at Laurel School’s Butler Campus in Cleveland, Ohio. For tickets and further information, click here!
Find The Aces at the following locations:
www.twitter.com/TheAcesOfficial
