American artist Griff Peters released his first album, Canyons and Waves. The themes are love, determination and storytelling.
The music blends Americana, Blues, Folk, and Country with some Rock. It feels like U2 meets Willie Nelson meets Bon Jovi. The compositions are impressive. The songs have a 70s/80s vibe, especially the ballads. The guitar throughout the album reminds me of Queen guitarist Brian May’s guitar style. The album feels nostalgic and homey.
There are three beautiful ballads. The piece Holiday parallels the song Horse with No Name. The guitar has a fun, folksy vibe. Where You Been parallels Queen’s 80s hit Another One Bites the Dust. Climb a Tree is a lovely ballad with a nice banjo playing in the background.
The record has some amazing semi-fast songs. Choose Love has a fantastic semi-fast beat with an incredible rhythm that brings positive energy. Marie Marie is a remarkable blend of Country and Rock. There’s a Willie Nelson and Aerosmith vibe. The composition of this piece is bold and intricate. The beat also reminds me of 1950s Rock. Dirt has a bold Rock beat that parallels Queen’s song Get Down Make Love (from the album News of the World). The guitar is phenomenal on this track. Stained Glass Eye is a dynamic piece with a bold sound (like a heartbeat). The music parallels Tom Petty’s Free Fallin, David Bowie’s Jean Genie and The Beatles’ Hard Day’s Night.
The album has an impressive, fast-paced piece. The tune She Plays with Light is fun and upbeat. It parallels U2’s 2003 hit Pride (In The Name Of Love) but with a slightly faster tempo and Country-Folk touch. It also reminds me of Queen’s 80s hit Hammer to Fall and various guitar solos by Brian May in other Queen songs.
The record has two musical tracks: Home and Canyons and Waves. These are intro and outro songs, respectively. The synthesizers add a fun, psychedelic touch. The piece Canyons and Waves is a unique and calming way to end an album.
Griff Peters’ voice is husky and edgy. He sings each song passionately and from the heart. His dynamic vocal style parallels David Bowie and Bee Gees member Barry Gibb.
The lyrics are diverse, with rich poetry. Each song feels personal and told with heart and soul, a genuine vulnerability.
Some songs focus on love and kindness. She Plays with Light is a sweet song honouring a lady with love and humour. It’s about a decent woman who wants what’s best for others. Choose Love is a song that celebrates positive values like love, acceptance, compassion, forgiveness, etc. The words are inspirational.
There’s also a piece about relationship struggles. Marie Marie is a dynamic song about a man whose partner ignores him out of frustration or takes him for granted. At first, it’s hard to tell until he says, “I’m sorry I made you cry,” which explains why Marie won’t talk to him. It’s a relatable tune.
The album has songs about perspective and appreciation of life starting from oneself. Holiday is a heartfelt song about taking a break from everything. Where You Been is a sweet, nostalgic piece about appreciating the simple, genuine things in life. The raw emotions are profound. Climb a Tree is a profound symbolic tune for not giving up no matter how challenging things may get. Dirt is a unique story about finding, and it teaches the important lesson that’s from within, and there are obstacles in the way. The dirt is symbolic in explaining how life can be messy. Stained Glass Eye is another metaphor for seeking a new perspective by cleaning away the negativity.
These songs are well-written, with incredible attention to detail.
The album Canyons and Waves is available.
