Review: Mark Viator and Susan Maxey ‘Where The Road Leads’

April 6, 2021

Mark Viator and Susan Maxey
‘Where the Road Leads’
Rambleheart Records

Texas based Americana-roots duo Mark Viator and Susan Maxey showcase their raw vocals on their new record ‘Where the Road Leads’.

Drawing influence from the Texas Troubadours you can clearly hear the experience in their ability as musicians and as songwriters. This is a group fully immersed in the infamous Austin music scene. Maxey delivers a standout performance with her soulful voice whilst the 12 track record boasts some foot-tappingly good, barroom tunes; from Tore Up From the Floor Up which includes some clever internal rhyme within the chorus, to Cajun Navy which is bound to get you up on the dance floor, if you’re not already there. It’s in this song that Viator’s vocals appear at their strongest. There is variety on the record though, from the stripped back country ballad Call of Love to the mandolin based waltz of Tumbleweed Graves – the melodies in this song remind me of Stella Parton’s Last Rose of Summer.

Viator and Maxey know exactly when a project is calling for a switch in tempo and manage to conclude the record with a ‘farewell’ song that reminisces on old times and features a slide guitar solo.

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