The Wood: Days

The debut album from Liverpool band The Wood is an impressive and beautiful introduction.

Every now and then, as a music journalist, a record comes out of nowhere and completely blows you away. This is impressive on a number of levels; firstly it is heartwarming proof that music still has the ability to surprise and amaze me, which is quite something after all these years. Also, it is inspiring that people with such talent still have the drive and the commitment to make this music, despite all the pitfalls and hardships such a thing involves in this day and age.

One such record is the new album, Days, from Liverpool band The Wood, an instantly impressive collection of songs and talent. Days is an embarrassment of riches, an ambitious and heartfelt showcase from a new band.

The Wood have been around a couple of blocks a couple of times, with guitarist and bass player Steve Powell owning Ark Recording Studios and producing albums by the likes of Michael Head, The Stairs and John Power and playing in The Red Elastic Band with Michael Head. It was during one of these recording session that he came across vocalist Alex Evans, declaring him “the best singer I’d ever worked with”.

13 Questions with The Room in the Wood

One listen to Days provides justification for making such a lofty claim, Evans has a towering voice that can roar and croon and that instantly makes you wonder why you haven’t come across his voice before.

Making up the rest of the band are drummer Jake Howden-Woodward (Nova Twins) and brass players Martin Smith and Simon James (The Coral, Shack).

The result is a band that can stand to take the Pepsi challenge with any other soul/pop/rock band in the country.

While listening to Days, I am reminded of The Kane Gang, in the breadth of genres covered, the feel and the song quality. For an old Kane Gang fan such as myself, this is tremendous news, as the lack of material they put out has long been a source of frustration.

Days sets it stall out early, as lead track Let It Loose sets up an early groove, driven by an insistent bass line reminiscent of Massive Attack’s Safe From Harm, but with an air of menace lurking under the surface. Straight away we are amazed by the vocal prowess of Alex Evans, his powerful voice immediately impressing.

The addition of a brass section is inspired and brings a lot of depth to the songs, and some abrasive guitar gives the song power and an edge that lifts it above The Wood being just a soul pop band. There is depth and natural songwriting craft going on here.

Next track River is a bluesy gospel track that starts off with some impressive vibrato from Evans before morphing into a euphoric, uplifting songs that in part puts me in mind of Sam Cooke’s A Change Is Gonna Come, which is praise indeed.

13 Questions with Will Sergeant

Temptations again sets up a groove early on, with some funky drumming and simple bass chords setting the scene. Evans voice is deservedly high in the mix and the song is catchy and emotive. Powell’s clever guitar and bass work here are impressive and clearly thought out, adding atmosphere to the song and leaving it plenty of room to breathe. Again there is a slight air of menace or melancholy to the song, but it is all deftly handled and adds to the song’s impact.

Things slow down on Autumn Dreams, which features some straight forward strummed guitar for the first time on the album. This allows for the gliding voice and some lush instrumentation to form the main body of the song. It is another catchy number, something The Wood seem to excel at with a natural ease. There is a slight 60s feel to the track, perhaps something I can imagine soundtracking an old Michael Caine film.

Back To The Start is a jaunty number that sees Evans growl effectively over layers of wah-wah guitar and some tasty soloing. Stay With Me contrasts sharply with this as an acoustic ballad that gives Evans license to again showcase his incredible voice. I am already looking forward to seeing The Wood live, as I can imagine how powerful this will all be on stage. I can already picture Evans commanding the room, singing with eyes closed and dabbing himself with a silk handkerchief, although that last flight of fancy may be one step to far.

Thornside Walk is an album highlight, absolutely dripping in soul with gospel-ish backing. It is a masterclass in how this sort of song should be handled, sensitively and with great panache. Fans of soul music will find much to love here.

Days closes with its title track, a brief acoustic interlude which acts as a palette cleanser after such a strong and affecting journey. It brings us down gently after we have reached such incredible highs.

The Clash play Liverpool Eric’s

The Wood tell me that they have already been working on album number two, set for release in 2025. I am already feeling impatient to hear more music from them.

I have developed a habit of not listening to albums I have reviewed, as if they lose some of their magic in the act of taking them apart and putting them back together again, but Days has remained firmly on my playlist and will stay there for some time.

Days is an album it is easy to fall in love with, impressive in both ambition and execution. Days is why I still listen out for new music. Every now and again we find a diamond.

Days is out Friday. Purchase from Bandcamp.