Search - Wood Brothers :: Loaded

The 'Sleeper' Album of '08

Thomas D. Ryan | New York | 04/26/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Wood Brothers are in no particular hurry to impress you. They just take their time and hope that the music will eventually speak for itself. I knew virtually nothing about the Wood Brothers, so I first played "Loaded" with no expectations at all. One by one, the songs glided past, leaving the subtle impression that I wanted to hear it again. Since that first listen, I've played this CD numerous times, and it keeps growing on me in ways that I never would have expected. There's no high-tech production, no musical gimmickry, no forced energy and no pandering to the audience anywhere on "Loaded." Instead, the songs lope along at a casual pace, enveloping their own space until they seem to physically become a part of it.

"Loaded" is an album built from natural ingredients, with an earthy production built around traditional instrumentation. The songs are full of warmth and space, and benefit greatly from vocals that are expressive yet relaxed. "Postcards From Hell" paints a subtle portrait of a lifer-musician, a man who plays music simply because he must. Oliver Wood beautifully captures the essence of this character, singing "If you ask him how he sings the blues so well, he says `I got a soul that I won't sell and I don't read no postcards from hell." Like most of the songs here, the image is poetic, but straightforward and honest. A similar moment occurs on the title track, which utilizes a few of the many interpretations of the word `loaded'. Accompanied by some brilliant steel guitar, Wood sings, "I was loaded, proud to say I was loaded. Sometimes the tip of my tongue is the barrel of a gun and it's loaded." Oliver's brother Chris (whom you may know from Martin, Medeski & Wood) sings, too, and the brothers usually pair up to write these organic gems.

The album's pace is well-defined in the chorus of "Fall Too Fast, where the Wood Brothers celebrate the entrapments of passion, singing "Don't let me fall too fast. I want to fall slowly, I want my fall to last."" The same can be said of "Loaded." Sometimes you have to give a record a chance to work its magic. Most programmers will not consider "Loaded" to be `radio friendly', so don't expect to hear it that way. Even if you did, a single play of one song is not enough to convey the fullness of this album. If this review piques your curiosity, then you'll need to take some time and check it out for yourself. As they sing in "Walk Away," "Time used to make me wait, now time just makes me late." So far, "Loaded" is my favorite `sleeper' album of '08. A Tom Ryan"

Strong from start to finish

B. Lillge | United States | 04/17/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ways Not to Lose was my favorite album of 2006. Loaded may be my favorite of 2008. There is more instrumentation on this one. There are a couple tracks where I think the guest musicians get in the way. The song writing is outstanding on all the originals and they do a great job of putting their own stamp on Jimi Hendrix's "Angel" and Bob Dylan's "Buckets of Rain". This music really defies category. It's great modern roots music. Dripping with Blues and Folk with funky hooks and really interesting arranging. They put on a great live show too. Do yourself a favor and buy the album then go to a show."

A More Ambitious Effort Than The Last, But Equally Great

Spri | NY | 04/11/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The first time I saw the Wood Brothers live, it was in Cherry Hill, NJ in the park. I was hooked on these guys right then and there and have been a fan of everything they've done, including the older brother's work with Martin and Medeski. With "Loaded," they have kept up their good work. They just refuse to disappoint.



Excellent work on this piece, especially on standouts like "Postcards From Hell," "Lovin' Arms" and "Make Me Down A Pallet On Your Floor." It was also refreshing to hear Amos Lee make a short appearance on one of the tracks. But the thing that interested me the most was Chris Woods' solo performance on "Don't Look Back." I've never heard him sing before as his younger brother normally takes lead. It's a haunting, soulful piece that's not designed to impress or change your life. It's just a great song.



Well done, guys. Looking forward to the next album already!

TGG"