Titling
the A-side from an upcoming 7" single "Tambourine Light"
couldn't have been a mistake by psych-folk rockers Woods. Before lead singer Jeremy
Earl's voice can begin, his shimmering guitar riff engenders comparisons to The
Byrds’ epochal cover of "Mr. Tambourine Man". It's not just
Earl and his guitar tone; everyone in Woods manages to summon the spirit of the
folk-rock originators. Kevin Morby's barely there, but anchoring bass doesn't
fall far from the Chris Hillman tree. The way Aaron Neveu plays his lilting
drummer pattern, Michael Clarke may as well be manning the kit. Even Woods'
soft harmonizing exists on the same spectrum as the Roger McGuinn-led group In
the "jingle-jangle morning" it’s clear who Woods are following.
There
are digressions though. Earl's voice is best described as "quietly aching,"
whereas McGuinn's is routinely labelled "nasal" or "drawling." And
while that's a miniscule difference, it's an important one. McGuinn sometimes
sounded disappointed singing through those nostrils, but you got the sense he'd
move past it. With Earl, it's harder to tell. Sure he's looking up "past
the Sun," but at what and for how long? "Forever" is a word he
let's go of as the band gels into a restful groove. That said it's an eternity
where the bliss of it being "forever morning" can easily be
misconstrued as "forever mourning." In that period of time he's
pushed creeping shadows away and has felt all sorts of challenges come up
"against him." Hearing Earl describe these struggles you realize if
anyone's ready "for to fade," it's him.
"Tambourine Light" will be out July 8 on Captured Tracks and is backed by "Tomorrow's Only Yesterday".
For such a subdued band, New York indie-folk group Woods have kept up a breakneck recording pace. Last year was the first year since 2008 they hadn't released an album. And after 2012's subtly beautiful Bend Beyond, fans of the band couldn't help but expect a well-crafted follow-up.
Today they get their wish with the announcement of Woods' eighth LP With Light and With Love, and new single "Leaves Like Glass". As an announcement of a new album, "Leaves Like Glass" doesn't burst out of the gate so much as it strolls. Guitar notes leisurely unspool from the speakers and a droning organ is so soused you'd swear it was ripped from a "Like a Rolling Stone" demo take. Swathes of tambourine tiptoe in and out of frame. Lead-singer Jeremy Earl is careful in such a fragile environment. When he promises "this love will wait for you," his voice is a tender half-whisper robbing the sentiment of its certainty. He only elevates to full-volume when the soaring chorus hits. "Is it enough to unwind?" he asks. The answer is a resounding yes.
Woods new album With Light and With Love drops April 15 through Woodsist. You can see the tracklist below, along with tour-dates.
1. “Shepherd”
2. “Shining”
3. “With Light And With Love”
4. “Moving To The Left”
5. “New Light”
6. “Leaves Like Glass”
7. “Twin Steps”
8. “Full Moon”
9. “Only The Lonely”
10. “Feather Man”
Tour:
4/25 Philadelphia, PA - Boot and Saddle
4/26 Washington, DC - Rock and Roll Hotel
4/27 Richmond, VA - Strange Matter
4/28 Asheville, NC - Mothlight
4/29 Atlanta, GA - Masquerade - Purgatory
5/1 Houston, TX - Mangos
5/2 Austin, TX - Austin Psych Festival
5/3 Dallas, TX - Club Dada
5-/4 Lawrence, KS - Love Garden's 24th Anniversary Celebration
5/6 St. Louis, MO - Firebird
5/7 Chicago, IL - Subterranean
5/9 Toronto, Ontario - Great Hall
5-10 Montreal, Quebec - Il Motore
5/11 Burlington, VT - Higher Ground
5/13 Portland, ME - Space 538
5/14 Boston, MA - Sinclair
5/15 Kingston, NY - BSP Kingston
5/16 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
