Culture

What if Neil Young fronted an indie folk band? Good news everyone! Look here, Woods. They’re talented too. They write some catchy alternative country songs, most of them on the sentimental side. They have their nine minute jammy epic, they have their two minute pop treats, they have the sweet and mellow three to five minute ballads. It’s as if Neil Young himself constructed this album.

Hailing from Brooklyn, With Light and with Love marks the band’s sixth full length album over a nine year span. Throw in running a record label, two EPs and a few singles to the mix, this results in an extremely busy bunch of guys. Their discography has been relatively strong to date, however, one thing that is apparent is their lack of any evolution musically. You would think after nine years you would be bored of the same old formula, but I guess Woods know what they love, they know what works for them and they do it well. I mean, apart from a few surprises along the way, you could argue Neil Young did the exact same thing.

However, Woods don’t have the privilege of being quite as iconic, and when you’re dealing in terms of folk songs, memorability and meaning is hard to sustain. What are these songs saying? The same things mostly. When you deal with themes such as heartbreak and inner peace as often as Woods does, it’s hard to say something new. As good as some of these songs are, sadly they suffer from a lack of variation. Apart from a few moments here and there, there is nothing that really sticks out and stays with you. Not so much a lack of quality, but diversity.

These songs are beautiful, though melodically they are all relatively simple and sometimes predictable. The title track has a few blistering Crazy Horse throwback moments. “Moving To The Left” and “Leaves Like Glass” are also highlights. Just good, well written, warm, sweet songs. There’s not much left to say, really. For what it is, With Light and With Love is a solid album, and a good addition to Woods’ career so far. Not a step in a new direction, but maybe an improved version of their never changing style.