Curtis Peoples

It's not hard to believe that he's in the middle of a 16-date U.S. tour or that he's just released his second album to a great reception. What's difficult to fathom about San Diego native Curtis Peoples is that he's only 23 years old!

Peoples, who started playing music at the age of 12, seems like he has a pretty tight focus on his musical vision. But what else would you expect of a guy who grew up in San Diego? 'I try to make music that I would want to hear, so it's got to have a little bit of all the things I love...' he explains on his Myspace.

And, that's a pretty good description of his latest album, Rock Out!! And Stay a While, a 13-song collection (including three bonus tracks), released in June.

A fusion of laid-back flip flop acoustic tunes with a rock sensibility, it's Peoples' rough and tumble voice that welds everything together. Unlike some inexperienced up-and-comers who sometimes jump the gun with putting out an album, this album exemplifies him as a musician who's taken the time to locate a niche that suits his style and vocal capabilities.
According to his website, www.curtispeoples.com, 'Curtis Peoples is a singer/songwriter with more of a rock/pop mentality than most acoustic artists in his category. With a mix of big choruses and jumping rhythms, Curtis attempts to bring the radio-friendly but still inspiring sounds of U2, Counting Crows, and Pearl Jam and the rhythmic jazz-folk of John Mayer and Jason Mraz into his songs.'

The most discerning element of this record isn't in his songwriting, which, by the way, is good. Rather, it's in the tendency his voice has to sound just a little different on each track.

Track four, 'Carnival,' is a sugary sweet acoustic number, detailed with percussion that's as light as a sun dress. Peoples' slightly raspy voice is a great juxtaposition.

Pressed against a soft piano intro on track nine, 'Beautiful Girl,' his voice loosens up as he croons over his visually delicious lady friend.

Track 10, 'Seems Like 4ever,' is beachy, laid-back, and heavy on twangy acoustic accompaniment and salt and pepper percussion. You can really hear the ocean breeze and smell the wood burning in the bonfire with this one.
Though he's touring to promote this album, Peoples has also had the good fortune to shoot a music video for the song 'Hope It Seems,' a track from his first EP Whisper to a Scream.
- San Diego Troubadour

Curtis Peoples may just well be music's best kept secret, despite having Maverick recording artist Tyler Hilton as a best friend and roommate and a legion of ardent followers from coast to coast and countless tours to promote his music, not to mention his major presence on Myspace.

Curtis's 'Rock Out and Stay Awhile' is his full-length debut and still has yet to be signed to a label. But those who haven't gotten themselves a copy and expect it to be much like his EP, 'Whisper To A Scream' will be mistaken. His full-length LP is very much like the title of the album, plenty of rocking out and you better stay for a while. Curtis trades in the simple sound from 'Whisper' and replaces it with harder, but more lush sound, adding electric guitar and bass and drums, which complements his gravelly rasp much better than the comparatively stripped down sound of the EP.

'Rock Out' begins with a bang with the uptempo 'One More Time,' which saw plenty of airtime on Myspace before the release of the CD. He slows down with 'Too Late,' which kind of sounded like Five For Fighting with the piano driving the song. I really like the refrain, I found myself tapping my feet to the drum instrumentation.

After 'Carnival,' he goes full throttle with co-producers and band The Weight on 'Hollywood Veins' and really shows off the maturation process Curtis has underwent since 'Whisper to a Scream.' I really liked the full lush sound 'Hollywood' had to offer.

My favorite track is 'Heart Will Fall' as it really showcased not only Curtis' lyrical talent, where the song's lyrics really spoke to the heart but also his ability to arrange. The electric guitar solo for the first few notes almost sounded like AC/DC's 'Back In Black' and I liked how he used the electric overall. Curtis then starts waxing philosophical and gets sentimental on 'Write A Long Love Letter,' but it's probably one of the weaker songs on the album. It's your standard weep-fest that every singer-songwriter does to fill the time, where the subject is writing to their loved one about their battles and how much they miss them. Curtis is effective at conveying the subject matter, but I think he could have done better to not make it your standard weep-fest.

Curtis strangely goes back to back on questionable material with 'Turn Away,' but tell me if I'm wrong, but it seemed that his vocals weren't going in the same direction as his instrumentation. Hopefully, he does not make the same mistake again on his next album.

The album ends on a magnificent note with 'Seems Like 4ever.' On the surface it may be another standard song about broken relationships, but he goes much deeper than the standard 'I don't wanna be with you ever again!' spiel. He sort of let you remember the smaller things in relationships and how things can't be answered by constantly fighting over pointless things in life. This song maybe about as close as you can get to anything he put out in 'Whisper to a Scream.'

There is a hidden track on the CD for those who either just bought it or got it through pre-order, 'So Long,' but I'll let the listener find how good the track really is instead of hearing it from me. Unfortunately for me, 'So Long' was not on my advance copy and I had to get it from one of my fellow staff.

Curtis Peoples: "Rock Out And Stay Awhile"
Producers: Curtis Peoples, The Weight
Official website
Official Myspace
Rating: 4.75/5
Overall: Definitely a must-listen for the indie music fans. It is still surprising that with his talents that a major label has not snatched him up and it would be a shame if he doesn't after this full-length effort. He really has matured as a musician and it shows but there are a couple tracks that were pretty weak, especially 'Write a Long Love Letter.' I really thought he could turn the standard weep-fest love song into something his own, but it ended up sounding like everyone else's weep-fest. All-in-all, an excellent full-length album debut from one of music's apparent best-kept secrets and the album title most certainly speaks for itself.
- Musiqtone.com

Curtis Peoples may just well be music's best kept secret, despite having Maverick recording artist Tyler Hilton as a best friend and roommate and a legion of ardent followers from coast to coast and countless tours to promote his music, not to mention his major presence on Myspace.

Curtis's 'Rock Out and Stay Awhile' is his full-length debut and still has yet to be signed to a label. But those who haven't gotten themselves a copy and expect it to be much like his EP, 'Whisper To A Scream' will be mistaken. His full-length LP is very much like the title of the album, plenty of rocking out and you better stay for a while. Curtis trades in the simple sound from 'Whisper' and replaces it with harder, but more lush sound, adding electric guitar and bass and drums, which complements his gravelly rasp much better than the comparatively stripped down sound of the EP.

'Rock Out' begins with a bang with the uptempo 'One More Time,' which saw plenty of airtime on Myspace before the release of the CD. He slows down with 'Too Late,' which kind of sounded like Five For Fighting with the piano driving the song. I really like the refrain, I found myself tapping my feet to the drum instrumentation.

After 'Carnival,' he goes full throttle with co-producers and band The Weight on 'Hollywood Veins' and really shows off the maturation process Curtis has underwent since 'Whisper to a Scream.' I really liked the full lush sound 'Hollywood' had to offer.

My favorite track is 'Heart Will Fall' as it really showcased not only Curtis' lyrical talent, where the song's lyrics really spoke to the heart but also his ability to arrange. The electric guitar solo for the first few notes almost sounded like AC/DC's 'Back In Black' and I liked how he used the electric overall. Curtis then starts waxing philosophical and gets sentimental on 'Write A Long Love Letter,' but it's probably one of the weaker songs on the album. It's your standard weep-fest that every singer-songwriter does to fill the time, where the subject is writing to their loved one about their battles and how much they miss them. Curtis is effective at conveying the subject matter, but I think he could have done better to not make it your standard weep-fest.

Curtis strangely goes back to back on questionable material with 'Turn Away,' but tell me if I'm wrong, but it seemed that his vocals weren't going in the same direction as his instrumentation. Hopefully, he does not make the same mistake again on his next album.

The album ends on a magnificent note with 'Seems Like 4ever.' On the surface it may be another standard song about broken relationships, but he goes much deeper than the standard 'I don't wanna be with you ever again!' spiel. He sort of let you remember the smaller things in relationships and how things can't be answered by constantly fighting over pointless things in life. This song maybe about as close as you can get to anything he put out in 'Whisper to a Scream.'

There is a hidden track on the CD for those who either just bought it or got it through pre-order, 'So Long,' but I'll let the listener find how good the track really is instead of hearing it from me. Unfortunately for me, 'So Long' was not on my advance copy and I had to get it from one of my fellow staff.

Curtis Peoples: "Rock Out And Stay Awhile"
Producers: Curtis Peoples, The Weight
Official website
Official Myspace
Rating: 4.75/5
Overall: Definitely a must-listen for the indie music fans. It is still surprising that with his talents that a major label has not snatched him up and it would be a shame if he doesn't after this full-length effort. He really has matured as a musician and it shows but there are a couple tracks that were pretty weak, especially 'Write a Long Love Letter.' I really thought he could turn the standard weep-fest love song into something his own, but it ended up sounding like everyone else's weep-fest. All-in-all, an excellent full-length album debut from one of music's apparent best-kept secrets and the album title most certainly speaks for itself.
- Musiqtone.com

Artist: Curtis Peoples
Label: TCG/Galt Line Music
Website: http://www.curtispeoples.com
Genre: Adult Alternative
Sounds Like: ?
Technical Grade: 10/10
Production/Musicianship Grade: 10/10
Commercial Value: 10/10
Overall Talent Level: 10/10
Songwriting Skills: 10/10
Performance Skill: 10/10
Best Songs: Single
Weakness: None
CD Review:

I met Curtis Peoples after his show at the Rockit Room in San Francisco. Before he started his set, I thought to myself, “He just looks like he’s gonna be good.” And he was. The lead single from his self-entitled debut benefits from the stellar production of Marshall Altman and features well-defined versus, a strong hook, and a killer bridge that a songwriting teacher or coach could use as an example of how it’s done. It also succeeds in capturing the essence of Curtis Peoples as an artist and efficiently conveys what he has to offer: a commanding voice that can teeter between tenor and baritone with a raspy edge for distinction, personality, and character. This monster track sounds better every time you hear it. Radio listeners will agree.

- The Muse's Muse

Artist: Curtis Peoples
Label: TCG/Galt Line Music
Website: http://www.curtispeoples.com
Genre: Adult Alternative
Sounds Like: ?
Technical Grade: 10/10
Production/Musicianship Grade: 10/10
Commercial Value: 10/10
Overall Talent Level: 10/10
Songwriting Skills: 10/10
Performance Skill: 10/10
Best Songs: Single
Weakness: None
CD Review:

I met Curtis Peoples after his show at the Rockit Room in San Francisco. Before he started his set, I thought to myself, “He just looks like he’s gonna be good.” And he was. The lead single from his self-entitled debut benefits from the stellar production of Marshall Altman and features well-defined versus, a strong hook, and a killer bridge that a songwriting teacher or coach could use as an example of how it’s done. It also succeeds in capturing the essence of Curtis Peoples as an artist and efficiently conveys what he has to offer: a commanding voice that can teeter between tenor and baritone with a raspy edge for distinction, personality, and character. This monster track sounds better every time you hear it. Radio listeners will agree.

- The Muse's Muse

Curtis Peoples has a knack for getting under your skin. Whether on-stage, on MTV's SCORE, or in his roles on One Tree Hill or Walk The Line, he has an ability to connect with the audience on a personal level. Peoples also happens to have a knack for writing hook-filled pop/rock songs that stick in your mind long after the music has stopped playing. Aside from being a favorite of L.A.'s musical literati, Curtis Peoples was named on of Music Connection magazine's "100 Unsigned Artists To Watch in 2008". With all of the hype, I imagine you're chomping at the bit to get a listen to Curtis Peoples -- you don't have long to wait. His debut eponymous CD will be released August 19th, 2008. Get ready to hear a lot of Curtis Peoples throughout the rest of the year.

Peoples mixes a sense for catchy melodies, great pop hooks and 1980's flavored guitar-driven choruses to create one of the best pure pop/rock albums of the year to date. Curtis Peoples opens with Back Where I Started, an Americana flavored rock tune with a chorus you won't be able to get out of your head. Holding Me Down displays People's rock guitar sound and transitions to Tell Me I'm Wrong, which opens with a riff that Lenny Kravitz would be proud of. This is a great pop tune, and was co-written by Tyler Hilton.

Heart Will Fall is a great acoustic rock tune with a funk bass opening that resolves into an arena-rock chorus. For my money, however, All I Want is the true hit of the bunch. This is the sort of song that could corner popular radio for the summer. The sound is a little reminiscent of Five For Fighting, but is 100% Peoples. Exit Scene closes out the album with just a touch of country/pop flavor.

What is clear throughout Curtis People's self-titled debut is that the man knows how to write songs that connect with his listeners. His easy voice, accessible melodies and soaring choruses draw in the listener in a way many pop artists have failed to learn. Don't be at all surprised if this is one of the top debut albums of 2008. I expect you'll be hearing several of these songs in TV show soundtracks throughout the 2008-2009 television season. Peoples just has a sound that fits in anywhere. Check out Curtis Peoples before he gets as hugely popular as he has every right to be.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5) - Wildy's World

Curtis Peoples has a knack for getting under your skin. Whether on-stage, on MTV's SCORE, or in his roles on One Tree Hill or Walk The Line, he has an ability to connect with the audience on a personal level. Peoples also happens to have a knack for writing hook-filled pop/rock songs that stick in your mind long after the music has stopped playing. Aside from being a favorite of L.A.'s musical literati, Curtis Peoples was named on of Music Connection magazine's "100 Unsigned Artists To Watch in 2008". With all of the hype, I imagine you're chomping at the bit to get a listen to Curtis Peoples -- you don't have long to wait. His debut eponymous CD will be released August 19th, 2008. Get ready to hear a lot of Curtis Peoples throughout the rest of the year.

Peoples mixes a sense for catchy melodies, great pop hooks and 1980's flavored guitar-driven choruses to create one of the best pure pop/rock albums of the year to date. Curtis Peoples opens with Back Where I Started, an Americana flavored rock tune with a chorus you won't be able to get out of your head. Holding Me Down displays People's rock guitar sound and transitions to Tell Me I'm Wrong, which opens with a riff that Lenny Kravitz would be proud of. This is a great pop tune, and was co-written by Tyler Hilton.

Heart Will Fall is a great acoustic rock tune with a funk bass opening that resolves into an arena-rock chorus. For my money, however, All I Want is the true hit of the bunch. This is the sort of song that could corner popular radio for the summer. The sound is a little reminiscent of Five For Fighting, but is 100% Peoples. Exit Scene closes out the album with just a touch of country/pop flavor.

What is clear throughout Curtis People's self-titled debut is that the man knows how to write songs that connect with his listeners. His easy voice, accessible melodies and soaring choruses draw in the listener in a way many pop artists have failed to learn. Don't be at all surprised if this is one of the top debut albums of 2008. I expect you'll be hearing several of these songs in TV show soundtracks throughout the 2008-2009 television season. Peoples just has a sound that fits in anywhere. Check out Curtis Peoples before he gets as hugely popular as he has every right to be.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5) - Wildy's World

Curtis Peoples - Curtis Peoples Review

The music of the Eighties has never been given its fair trial in the court of music. Too many good acts happened during that time; and yet it seems that all anyone can remember now is Rick Astley. While many artists completely reject that anything after 1979 has anything to do with their music, Curtis Peoples embraces the good and bad of classic rock (with a tinge of guitar-heavy hair band) in his latest self-titled album.

A San Diego native who made the inevitable move to L.A., he happily touts the fact that his latest obsession with Van Halen and their arena rock sound is what brought forth the majority of the songs on his album Curtis Peoples. It's true with the opening track, "Back Where I Started," that there are definitely guitars heavily influenced by classic rock; although its slower pace sounds much more like The Cars than Van Halen. There are hints of similar guitar riffs in the rest of the album, especially during the guitar-heavy chorus of "Heart Will Fall" (along with a slight hint of Boston-like keyboards); but the majority of songs are more modern and more subdued than classic arena rock. "Holding Me Down" starts off with a beat that suggests Interpol and then leads into a catchy, fast-paced chorus about leaving an oppressive relationship. It's this kind of exciting fast-paced music that is really the theme of the album; although what would classic rock influenced music not be without some epic ballads as well? "All I Want" is a building, piano-driven piece that leads into a good drum beat and culminates in some hard guitars. It's the perfect balladic love song that has become the staple of any classic rocker. "One More Time" is another ballad that builds in a similar manner to "All I Want," but with strings and a lovely guitar solo very reminiscent of Slash from Guns N' Roses. The album closes with the aptly named song, "Exit Scene", which does an excellent job of leaving the listeners with an appropriate feeling of catharsis: a little sad that we've come to the end, yet still uplifted by the music and optimistic.

When he describes his music as 'coffee shop arena rock', it's the balance of cheekiness and truth behind that phrase that perfectly describes his latest work. None of the music on Curtis Peoples is melancholic or exceptionally sad; the weightiest feeling the listener will hear is nostalgia or simple wistfulness. Yet, there isn't a need for any "deep" emotion to enjoy the album. It's a catchy, uplifting rock album. It's just trying to recapture a bit of the fun and light-heartedness of the Eighties and wrap it into a modern, inoffensive sound that anyone can enjoy.


Rating: A- - FanBolt.com

Curtis Peoples - Curtis Peoples Review

The music of the Eighties has never been given its fair trial in the court of music. Too many good acts happened during that time; and yet it seems that all anyone can remember now is Rick Astley. While many artists completely reject that anything after 1979 has anything to do with their music, Curtis Peoples embraces the good and bad of classic rock (with a tinge of guitar-heavy hair band) in his latest self-titled album.

A San Diego native who made the inevitable move to L.A., he happily touts the fact that his latest obsession with Van Halen and their arena rock sound is what brought forth the majority of the songs on his album Curtis Peoples. It's true with the opening track, "Back Where I Started," that there are definitely guitars heavily influenced by classic rock; although its slower pace sounds much more like The Cars than Van Halen. There are hints of similar guitar riffs in the rest of the album, especially during the guitar-heavy chorus of "Heart Will Fall" (along with a slight hint of Boston-like keyboards); but the majority of songs are more modern and more subdued than classic arena rock. "Holding Me Down" starts off with a beat that suggests Interpol and then leads into a catchy, fast-paced chorus about leaving an oppressive relationship. It's this kind of exciting fast-paced music that is really the theme of the album; although what would classic rock influenced music not be without some epic ballads as well? "All I Want" is a building, piano-driven piece that leads into a good drum beat and culminates in some hard guitars. It's the perfect balladic love song that has become the staple of any classic rocker. "One More Time" is another ballad that builds in a similar manner to "All I Want," but with strings and a lovely guitar solo very reminiscent of Slash from Guns N' Roses. The album closes with the aptly named song, "Exit Scene", which does an excellent job of leaving the listeners with an appropriate feeling of catharsis: a little sad that we've come to the end, yet still uplifted by the music and optimistic.

When he describes his music as 'coffee shop arena rock', it's the balance of cheekiness and truth behind that phrase that perfectly describes his latest work. None of the music on Curtis Peoples is melancholic or exceptionally sad; the weightiest feeling the listener will hear is nostalgia or simple wistfulness. Yet, there isn't a need for any "deep" emotion to enjoy the album. It's a catchy, uplifting rock album. It's just trying to recapture a bit of the fun and light-heartedness of the Eighties and wrap it into a modern, inoffensive sound that anyone can enjoy.


Rating: A- - FanBolt.com