Whistle Past The Grave Was #2 on Americana Highways Albums of September 2023 and #1 for their Album of the Year 2023 reader's poll Jason Warburg of Daily Vault gave Whistle Past The Grave an honorable mention for record of the year. It, "manages to tackle serious themes without ever appearing to take itself too seriously. Like all the best parties, it leaves you thinking long afterwards about what was said."
Helmut Heimann, rock DJ at RadioEINS, ranked Whistle Past The Grave as the #7 record of the year.
“This is also the kind of music—raucous and frequently fuzzed-out—that sounds better and better the louder you turn it up. Whistle Past The Grave finds Aaron Skiles once again wearing his classic-rock influences on his sleeve while delivering a set that manages to tackle serious themes without ever appearing to take itself too seriously. Like all the best parties, it leaves you thinking long afterwards about what was said.”— The Daily Vault
“Skiles, a musician of profound sincerity and raw talent, is no stranger to critical acclaim. His album "Wreckage From the Fire," released in April 2022, drew high praises from critics and fans alike. Co-produced and written with Matt Patton of the Drive-By-Truckers, the album boasted a raw, rocking tone that resonated deeply with listeners. The upcoming album, "Whistle Past the Grave," promises to maintain this musical grit and integrity.”—The Grateful Web
“Skiles also takes the time to write intelligent lyrics to these well-fueled pieces. The raw immediacy of many of these compositions never suffers for lack of heat in its purity. These are good rockers. If in the hands of an amateur, they would’ve been bald tires, but each song here rolls along like new steel belted radials on a gravel road.”— Americana Highways
“Pounding hard and still paying full attention to melody lines, that's power pop and Skiles knows how to do it.”—Alt Country
"Skiles plays bass, percussion, piano, keys, guitars and, of course, sings, and the excellent company he’s in helps him flesh out a ‘90s alt-rock meets fuzzed out punk via a modern Americana twist that will make anyone an instant fan."--Take Effect Reviews
“This is rock and roll, not americana, though I would imagine just about any genre would want to claim it (not to anthropomorphize musical trends, of course). Skiles is one hell of a songwriter, and he's just as skilled and charismatic in his recording. What a wonderful, spiky breeze.”—Jon Worley, Aiding & Abetting
"If you paid any attention to bands like Lucero, The Drive By Truckers, and the Dexateens throughout the early to mid aughts, this one is cut from the same cloth. Willing to guess that folks who ever spent considerable time in the 'ninebullets' community will find purchase here."-- The Strangers Almanac
Wreckage From The Fire Released 2022
Made Americana Highways Top 20 For Album of the Year
"Aaron Skiles left Oakland, California, and headed out to the wilds of Water Valley, Mississippi. There, he teamed up with Drive-by Truckers bassist Matt Patton to co-write and record his debut, which revels in reckless classic-rock riffing and sludgy punk energy."--Uncut Magazine
"One seriously uplifting release: here we have Californian surf-infused Indie ‘90s Rock with a high tide of Punk lapping in.It’s different, intriguing and gets deeper under your skin with each spin."--The Rocking Magpie
"Along with Skiles and Patton, the record is filled out with a slew of talented musicians including Taylor Hollingsworth (Conor Oberst, Dead Fingers) on guitar, Patton’s Drive-By Truckers bandmate Jay Gonzalez on piano, A.J. Haynes (Seratones) on backing vocals and Bronson Tew on drums. The band is a supergroup of stellar under-the-radar musicians."--John Moore, Americana Highways
“A Triumph of Three Chords' rides a mellow groove generated by the piano of Jay Gonzalez, Taylor Hollingsworth’s bluesy lead guitar and A. J. Haynes’ soaring harmonies. The words celebrate the healing power of music and bring to mind Willie Nelson’s definition of the perfect song—'three chords and the truth.” --East Bay Express full interview here: https://eastbayexpress.com/aaron-skiles-bourbon-therapy-frontman-goes-solo/
"Other members who assisted Aaron Skiles in the production of Wreckage from the Fire are Taylor Hollingsworth (Conor Oberst), Jay Gonzalez (Drive-By Truckers), AJ Haynes (Seratones) and Bronson Tew. These are all names with experience. This powerful experience can be heard in the music on this record. Everything sounds truly fantastic and razor-sharp. There is no slowing down and Skiles and his friends move forward with enormous energy."--Orange Flag Music
"It is always nice to unearth a hidden gem from an under the radar artist." --Chip Frazier, Twangville
Roots, Rednecks and Radicals Podcast Interview: https://rootsrednecksradicals.podbean.com/e/aaron-skiles/
"An album of supreme emotions and the demand of continual existence; Wreckage From The Fire is a bonfire of the vanity and one that Aaron Skiles is ready to strike the match and watch ego turn to smoke, to observe the rage of beauty lights up the sky." --Liverpool sound and Vision
