During the late ‘70s into the ‘80s there was a brand of Rock-n-Roll music that had superior production, elegant instrumentation, and ever-so-carefully crafted songwriting. In more modern times some may call it Yacht Rock, but rather than fall into the trap of catchy labels, we will call it Soft Rock. A similar straighter forward way to describe the style, to many, the only way to get their taste of it is through achieved classics played on SiriusXM’s Yacht Rock Radio, or through some streaming platform’s playlist. A nostalgic trip worth taking, if you are someone who appreciates the art form of Soft Rock for more than just a ‘remember when moment,’ there are those out there like CWF still actively making new music in the style.
CWF (short for Champlin, Williams, Friestedt) is a project that took shape nearly a decade ago when Bill Champlin, Joseph Williams, and Peter Friestedt teamed up to work on some songs together. Three very talented players, chances are you recognize Champlin for his important contributions to Chicago’s resurgence during the ‘80s, Williams as a key member of singing for Toto through the decades, and Friestedt for his masterful guitar playing. With this in mind, they put out their self-titled debut album in 2015, II in 2020, the 10 Miles EP in 2018, and the Carrie EP in 2023. Very consistent, now in 2024 the trio are back with their brand-new full-length album III.
Available on September 27th through Sound Pollution / Black Lodge, the collection consists of eleven songs that live up to the praise of any Album-oriented Rock classics from yesteryear. Smooth, rich, and inviting, you could say there is merely a waxy shin over an old car, but that would be a disservice. Why? Because beyond the pristine production, these songs are heartfelt, well-written, and quite memorable.
Beyond this, joining Champlin, Williams, and Friestedt are an exceptional group of artists; including from Chicago’s Jason Scheff on vocals/bass, Drummer John JR Robinson, and Grammy Award-winning Songwriter Randy Goodrum. Together they bring you songs that are mature, warm, and relatable in various ways. Sure, there are tracks about love, heartbreak, and everything that comes along with it, you cannot help but find wisdom in the more universal-themed songs like “Brighter Day,” “Wings of Tomorrow,” and “Find The Love.” Conveying a message of finding hope when there is darkness (“Brighter Day,” “Wings of Tomorrow”), they also remind us that the only way forward is together, no matter our differences (“Find The Love”).
Beyond these tracks, there are also gems like “I Will Find You There,” “Stay With Me,” joining “Carrie,” “Fly Away Now,” and “The Last Broken Heart” (which features both Champlin and his wife, Tamara, duetting). The last three mentioned here are carryovers from the Carrie EP, but they fit into place perfectly, making III an even stronger cohesive collection.
So, if you thought you needed to look in your rearview mirror to relive a timeless sound, think again, because CWF has it here and now. Mixing Progressive Rock, Jazz, Soft Rock, and Pop Rock, this is yet another album not to be missed. That is why Cryptic Rock gives Bill Champlin, Joseph Williams, and Peter Friestedt’s continued efforts with III 5 out of 5 stars.
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