Woods of Error is an enveloping folk EP from Michael Andrew Griffith. A personal, highly emotional focus shows throughout. The process of grieving — after losing a lover to suicide — is conveyed within, in addition to the journey from despair to tentative optimism. A gorgeous no-frills production from Kramer takes hold alongside, emphasizing Griffith’s sincere vocal presence, emotive guitar work, and poetic lyricism.
Frolicking, solemn acoustic guitars open the title track — traversing with haunting effect into a pulsing bass-y intrigue and a stirring vocal emergence. “Oh, into your eyes lunar skies, into the waves,” they engross, invoking beautiful dream-set visions of sunshine and love-filled glances. A sense of yearning is palpable, and poignant within the album’s focus on grief and moving onto more hopeful waters. “Woods of Error” takes inspiration from recurring dreams where she appeared — written “to console her spirit and create peace within myself,” per Griffith.
The EP continues to impress in its two instrumental efforts as well, ranging in tone from the riveting “I Am The Arrow” — invoking a classical guitar prowess in its graceful tonal precision — to the rain-set lushness of finale “At The Clearing.” “Martyr of the Sun” and “The City Sleeps” are further exemplary of Griffith’s lyrical talents and vocal passion, particularly in the latter’s contemplative vigor. “See the branch about to break,” they let out, musing on fate’s cruelty and the fleeting passage of time. Ascending vocal range past the mid-point sends chills, representing another melodic and affecting success. Woods of Error is a stirring success from Michael Andrew Griffith.
