LIVE: Woods @ Brudenell Social Club, Leeds 04/09/12
Previewing material from their forthcoming album Bend Beyond, Woods show that the go-to adjective of “consistency” isn’t just restricted to their albums.
The bright, pristine sheen found on new single ‘Cali in a Cup’ is representative of their live sound in general and one is reminded how much sonic space can be filled with a 12 string guitar and a handful of effects. Vocalist/guitarist Jeremy Earl’s falsetto carries a lot of depth and detail within it, and for my money the live jam is better than any of the jam tracks they’ve featured on albums. Is there an aging hippy somewhere waiting to tell me that’s always the case?
The closest live comparison that comes to mind from recent months would be Real Estate, sharing Woods light touch, bright and nostalgic undertones, and nimble interplay. Neither act mixes things up dramatically when they’re onstage but both add a certain glossiness and humanity. Familiar but richer. Like accidently putting whole milk in your tea.
A substantial three support acts saw the headliners take to the stage at 22:50 though still finding time for 12 songs and the 10 minute jam. ‘Suffering Season’ and ‘Blood Dries Darker’ represented At Echo Lake, with ‘Pushing Onlys’ and ‘To Have in the Home’ standing in for Sun and Shade. Bend Beyond tracks like ‘Size Meets the Sound’, which I estimate will be described as “heroic” by at least 1,056 people, and wistful highlight ‘Is it Honest?’ offered something to look forward to on what is lined up to be their fourth really good album in as many years.
Review and live video soon.
Pictures: Chris Carr (GOblivion!)
