Curtis Peoples - Self-Titled

by Bev Moser

Curtis Peoples describes his sound as “coffee shop arena rock”, and I have to agree. This debut CD incorporates the soft n slow acoustic sounds you would hear at the corner coffee shop and allows you to close your eyes and envision him on the big stage with all the lights and production of a huge arena show. Curtis Peoples is a name you will soon recognize and not forget.

From the opening notes of “Back Where I Started” you begin to tap your fingers and bob your head to the beat, the song grabs you as soon as you take the cellophane off the package and put it in your CD player.

“Holding Me Down” has a grab your partner by the hand and run out to the dance floor beat and fast rhythm to keep you moving. The lyrics are well written and Peoples delivery is definitely of the Springsteen era. “Tell Me I’m Wrong”, is a similar sound which slows it down a bit and is a love gone wrong song with a toe tapping beat.

If this next song does not grab you and make you a Curtis Peoples fan, then you are not paying attention. “All I Want” is very well produced and I can see this one performed on the big stage to a full arena. Starting out slow, simple and soft and eventually leading to a full band back up with emotional and passionate vocals by the artist.

“Wake Up” is as close to a rock ballad as you will get on this CD. The gravelly voice and melodramatic beat is the kind of song you see hands waving and lighters in the air to in the dark.

I really like the intro to “Heart Will Fall”, a mysterious and tip toe sneaking sneaky beat. This is one of my favorites on the CD, finding me cranking up the stereo in the car and singing along.

“Counting on Disaster” again grabs your attention from the second you hear peoples voice open with the 1st lyrics. A fast moving piece which could easily be the trailer music for a movie.

Slow it way down and grab someone you care about for a slow dance to “Got What We Wanted”. Soft and easy flowing beat combined with Peoples vocals delivers a sweet love song, another song you could easily hear as the background to a love scene in a movie.

“One More Time” is another slower song, which captures Peoples vocal talents, range and ability to capture the audience with a song.

“Exit Scene” is very well produced and executed, another song on the album which finds your head bobbing along with the beat. The song flows from a slow pace to a fast beat and back down again, and takes you along for the ride. A great song.

Of all the CD’s I review, as a debut CD, this is one of the best I have heard, and admittedly have played over and over in my car. Curtis Peoples passion for music comes out in his lyrics and in his music. Go out and buy this CD, you won’t regret parting with your money on this one.

For more information on where you can see Curtis Peoples, check out his website at www.curtispeoples.com  or at www.myspace.com/curtispeoples.