Elk-Lake Serenade

Elk-Lake Serenade contains all the consistencies guaranteed to charm; spots where he whispers musical secrets in your ear (the lullaby-like "Wide Eyes" and "Starting Over", a tale of impetuous desire), or sings full-throated upbeat charms, like the Cuban-influenced single "Hollywood Ending". Thankfully, there are also the trademark twisted folk tales, including the melodically beautiful "Killbear", a story about a man watching his wife get mauled by an animal attack. The juxtaposition of Hayden¹s languid, lovely melodies mixed with Twin Peaks-esque tales make the surreal numbers that much more captivating.

An adoring fan base has blossomed organically over the ten years that he has been performing, and this new material continuing to subtly evolve in beauty and orchestration without becoming overdone will no doubt add to the appeal of Hayden¹s longevity. While many comparisons have been made, ultimately, there is no one out there singing and writing songs like these subtle charmers. --Denise Sheppard