A Songwriter for Modern Day Ears

Colorado native Singer-Songwriter Canyon Letters releases her self-titled debut album. Based on what I read she claims that ‘…in the end words don’t matter, cause songs have to come from the heart’ but she could have fooled me as each word seems perfect in its place. I don’t suppose her English degree helped any.

Accompanied by just a guitar this amateur artist manages to move me with the least amount of musicianship combined with the greatest amount of emotional delivery. The music itself offers an interesting blend of pop & country and blues overtones with melancholy vocals that create an intimate listener experience.

Sometimes the musicianship is a bit thorny and in need of a metronome and the album’s production as a whole can stand to be tightened. However, the songs have a wondrous lyrical undercurrent of living legends, each worthy to be praised and cherished. I particularly enjoyed the melodic and haunting rhythm in Cup of Faith, the forcefulness of the guitar really drives home the poignant last line “yes, I take tequila in my cup of faith”.

Canyon Letters continues to deliver catchy vocal melodies in this album whether trying to change the world with her wordy but reflective track “One For All” or remind the world that life goes on in the inspirational track “Moveable”. The depths of her sultry and powerful vocals really shine through on “It’s Just a Memory” and “Where Are You”; full of despair, these two tracks are atmospheric and unfold more compellingly at night. It should be noted that the classical accompaniment on these two pieces are striking and have their own vulnerability.

Heartfelt and genuine, Canyon Letters songwriting talents are reminiscent of the entrancing Mazzy Star and profound Tracy Chapman. Overall I would like to hear better production and more musical elements in the tracks but for a debut album the songs are impressive and mesmerizing.

About the Author: Matthew Godwin Sophomore at CUDenver