THE WOOD BROTHERS

Smoke Ring Halo

thewoodbrothers.com

Thanks to crossover successes Mumford & Sons and the Avett Brothers—whippersnappers who jammed with Bob Dylan at this year’s Grammys—Americana is hotter than fresh-baked pie on Mama’s windowsill. Woefully missing from the Grammy hootenanny were the Wood Brothers, virtuosic Colorado natives with a refreshing take on rootsy sounds.

Oliver and Chris Wood haven’t recorded with Rick Rubin like the Avetts, or courted an indie-rock audience like the Mumfords, but on their third album they sling shovelfuls of twang, funk, humor and soul. They’re schooled in classic country, folk and blues, but they favor hooks and grooves over old-timey formalism. Guitarist Oliver sings with a meaty, smoky drawl, sounding alternately weary (“Pay Attention”), jovial (“Shoofly Pie”), reassuring (“Smoke Ring Halo”) and reflective (“When I Was Young”). Chris adds harmony and plays jazz-cat upright bass, slipping in slinky yet subtle lines, much like he does with his other band, Medeski, Martin & Wood. The musicianship is fantastic, but the Woods get by on songs. On closer “Blue and Green,” Oliver reminisces about his mother and grandmother, linking past and present with great love and respect. After all, that’s what he and his brother do best.