Silver Screen ~ Hayley Griffiths [Album Review]

• Released May 11, 2010
• Recorded September 2008 - December 2009
• Genres New Age, Pop, Celtic, Classical
• Length 34:20
• Label Surefire Music Group

Silver Screen is the debut album of English soprano Hayley Griffiths and has received widespread critical acclaim since it was released on May 11, 2010. Produced by Surefire Music Group, it features a cornucopia of contemporary Celtic, pop, and new age material with a tinge of classical elements embedded in the melodies. In an interview with Musical Discoveries Hayley stated, "Our aim was to create something modern and edgy for the Classical Crossover Market whilst still capturing an ethereal haunting ambiance." The songs on Silver Screen are all original and were co-written by Hayley with the concept of film soundtracks in mind, hence the album's title and the songs' cinematic ambiance.

Silver Screen sees Hayley exploring her voice and finding her territory in musical styles. She plays with her creativity by presenting various melodies, themes and lyrical subjects with a pop voice and subsequently blossoming into a light soprano, which makes this album very interesting to listen to. Prelude commences the album with an elegant soprano pitch that presents an aura of mystery, moving on to Vanished, which lures one into escaping reality using vocal layering techniques effectively. Her performance of What Is A Champion? exhibits a clear pop sound. In Our Love, Hayley's voice glides sweetly over the Celtic inspired tunes of the lines before the chorus in which she likens the strength of a couple's love to the momentum of the "crushing waves".

Separated By Glass, Hayley's debut single, is dramatic and heart-warming; Haunted is about fury and vengeance with Hayley's voice setting the tone of an intense atmosphere; Mechanical Lives is upbeat and edgy with a message that urges one to break away from one's daily routine; Blank Canvas analyses life by asking philosophical and rhetorical questions; and Silent As The End is partially classical, demonstrating her classical vocal ability.

The songs on Silver Screen are distinct from one another presenting different soundscapes with each piece starting off as a blank canvas that slowly transforms into a wonderful piece of art crafted by tone and topic. Due to its broad range of genres, Silver Screen has songs that will definitely appeal to many people regardless of their musical preferences.

Although short in running time, Silver Screen is still a refreshing delight. Hayley's talent and stunning vocals are obvious from the incredible substance of her first solo album; therefore, it is no surprise that music critics have been raving about Silver Screen.

Track Listing

1. Prelude 1:26
2. Vanished 3:17
3. What Is A Champion? 3:06
4. Our Love 3:24
5. Wait for the Sun 3:31
6. Haunted 3:33
7. Mechanical Lives 3:47
8. Blank Canvas 3:05
9. Separated By Glass 4:13
10. Is This A Dream 2:41
11. Silent As The End 2:19

Signed copies of Hayley's Silver Screen can be purchased at her official website www.hayleygriffiths.com.

"The songs of Silver Screen are certainly representative of its title, bringing a passionate, showy yet thoughtful edge to Hayley's definitive vocals. She has a true eloquence with her soaring soprano voice that strikes a note with her electrifying soundscapes. Hayley Griffiths truly shines in this lovely album and one can't wait for more!"

— Audrey Elliot, Musical Discoveries

“Silver Screen is the debut album from light lilted soprano, Hayley Griffiths, emerging from her success starring in the Riverdance and Lord of the Dance world tours. Griffiths' album demonstrates a fine mix of celtic, new age and pop influence but little of classical. Even so, she has a distinguished sound due to her Celtic Woman/Trinití-esque production, embarking on electronic layering balanced by authentic instruments and her clean unaffected soprano.”

— Nicola Jarvis, Classical-Crossover UK