The Muse

The Wood Brothers, featuring acoustic bassist Chris Wood of Medeski, Martin & Wood and brother Oliver, grabbed the perfect producer (alt-country icon Buddy Miller) for their fourth album, *The Muse*. Here, all the comparisons to The Band remain in place. It’s inevitable; The Band wrote the rulebook, and all great practitioners follow through. There’s even a horn section employed in spots to remind you of the Allen Toussaint collaborations on *Rock of Ages*. These aren’t shortcomings when played by such able musicians. Getting into that peculiar pocket where a band swings, shuffles, and rocks is no easy play, and yet The Wood Brothers find it as naturally as breathing. “Wastin’ My Mind” and “Honey Jar” are manifestations of that talent. The title track is a teaser, playing out as a number with acoustic guitar and vocals but always with the threat of the band lurking in the tension. “Keep Me Around” is more straightforward, celebrating its basic acoustic flow with perfect country harmonies. “I Got Loaded” adds a touch of calypso to the brothers’ usual roots.

Recorded at Southern Ground Studios in Nashville, TN, “The Muse” mines The Wood Brothers' timeless influences and showcases their high-lonesome harmonies, Chris' virtuosic standup bass, Oliver's gritty acoustic guitars, and warrior poet lyrics. The title track reveals Oliver's songwriting at its most tender and autobiographical to date, while "Honey Jar," doubles up on a bluesy, raucous groove. "Wastin' My Mind" could pass for a lost track from "The Last Waltz," while "Neon Tombstone" drives home the brothers' now more deeply collaborative spirit. Throughout, Oliver's endearingly offbeat vocals are more "gripping" (The New York Times) than ever, with Chris' and Jano's dialed-in harmonies providing rich, rustic texture.