Songs of Shame

*Songs of Shame* is the fourth full-length release from the shady Woods, who — to this point — have kept their sprawling and elusive brand of dark, lo-fi folk in the underbrush. *Songs of Shame* lets some sunshine in, and is a beautiful, impressive outing. Opening track “To Clean” is warm and sweet, echo dripping off of melancholy vocals and a strummed guitar clanging with nostalgia; by songs’ end, however, a raucous, howling guitar takes over, setting the tone for much of *Songs of Shame*. “The Hold” is reverb-laden, post-folk that ends in spastic, acidic guitar work, but “The Number” is all delicate, acoustic floweriness, and Jeremy Earl’s airy falsetto completes the tune without rude assault. “Rain On” succinctly weaves together influences as disparate as Pavement and Neil Young, while ‘60s psychedelia flavors the lovely instrumental “Echo Lake” and the tambourine-laced “Gypsy Hand.” There’s even a cover of Graham Nash’s “Military Madness,” done with a healthy dash of reverence in an apparent poke at our current military quandaries. The best yet from Woods.

The fourth full length by Woods, Songs of Shame, rips deeper with both 90 second and 10 minute forays into skeletal psychedelia. This is not to say their idiosyncratic songwriting style & vocalizing is not present in spades but expanded, colored, and twisted into a tie-dye of soundscapes. Road worn, windblown, and deeply grooved. “Despite Woods’ humble production values and their fondness for living room ambiance, Songs of Shame has that almost subliminal ability to make one want to move in to listen more closely. And once you’ve been drawn in for a good listen, it becomes difficult not to want to come back for many more.”- Matthew Murphy/Pitchfork

They share a label and lo-fi bent with groups like Vivian Girls, but Woods focus on a more pastoral and rustic vein of songcraft to beautiful effect.

AllMusic provides comprehensive music info including reviews and biographies. Get recommendations for new music to listen to, stream or own.

Being based in Brooklyn can raise instant connotations about a band in 2009, with a number of lauded artists from the area having released below par...

That in mind, Woods’ fourth LP Songs of Shame knocked me on my ass from the first listen.

Woods - Songs of Shame review: I listened to this and then after that iTunes played Wycliffe Gordon and I was more satisfied...