The Wood Brothers
One Drop of Truth
(Honey Jar Records)
Chapter 10, in which the Woods get winsome. One Drop of Truth is chock-full of singalong choruses, many of them grinningly happy, in tone if not always in lyric. Rhythmically—thanks in large part to Jano Rix's always brilliant sticksmanship—the Brothers have become frighteningly tight, often sounding like a dreamy mix of the Band and the Violent Femmes. But the songs have rarely felt this up. Put the blues in a blender with a couple "Have a Nice Day" buttons, and you'll get the freaky, nutritious smoothie that is Truth. "Sparkling Wine" cops a "Walk on The Wild Side" bass slide to open, but then gets soggy in the second line—in a righteous way. Similarly, "Happiness Jones" is all bright eyes and infectious groove, while "Sky High" makes good on the hippie promise of its title. More drops, please. Thewoodbros.com.
—Michael Eck
