New York’s Woods have quietly been releasing lo-fi records on tape, vinyl, cd, whatever to varying degrees of success, but their newest release Songs of Shame not only fully realizes all the power and charm that lo-fi can and used to offer but might be the best release so far this year. It recalls early Built To Spill albums such as 1994’s There’s Nothing Wrong With Love but mixed in are OhSees-esque haunting vocals and, yes, a Camper Van Beethoven lean on middle eastern vibes.

Taking just one step back, you can hear the potential but lack of cohesion on Woods previous album, 2008’s Family Creeps. And that’s what makes this new effort that much more of a pleasant surprise. Family Creeps wanders at times and songs often feel unfinished. But Songs of Shame is fully fleshed out without losing any of its lo-fi charisma. Not to harp too much on the Built To Spill comparisons but, Songs of Shame bursts with a creative energy and newness the way Built To Spill’s There’s Nothing Wrong With Love did after their extremely uneven Ultimate Alternative Wavers. And album opener “The Clean” even starts out with a Car-like guitar chirp. But in no way am I implying that Woods are a mere rip-off.

Whereas Built To Spill always had a tendency for grandness even in its more humble tunes, Woods would fit right in playing on a porch or anywhere else for that matter. In that vein, “The Hold,” Shame’s second song, employs trashcan sounding drums and a guitar plucked almost into banjo submission.

The one flaw with the album, albeit minor, is the odd placement of the 9 minute plus “September By the Pete.” The track is a sprawling, 60’s tinged psych jam that by no means wanders aimlessly, it still feels to hit a little too soon and might have played out better as the middle of another tune placed later on the album. This minor set-back is quickly overcome by the short, Middle Eastern foot stomping “Down This Road.” This is the first hint of a vibe that would be fully embraced by “Echo Lake,” a song that would make Camper Van Beethoven proud. And this comparison is part of what makes Songs of Shame so refreshing. Because it truly hearkens back to the days when independent music was fiercely independent and willing to make its own rules.

There’s not a truly weak moment on Songs of Shame. The cover of Graham Nash’s “Military Madness,” with its bouncy bass and wah-wah’ing guitars is a perfect fit. “Born to Lose” sounds like Bonnie Prince Billy on helium and album closer “Rain On” finds Earl’s vocals literally reaching new heights to heartbreaking effect. Additionally, the production throughout just hits all the right notes. Yes, Songs of Shame sounds like it was recorded in one shot in a basement but all the guitar work – and thankfully there is a ton – is perfectly placed in the mix, always there but never overshadowing the songs.

It’s too early to tell if Woods is poised to pull a Perfect From Now On out of their hats nor whether they would want to. But Songs Of Shame is pretty perfect enough for now.

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Catch Woods Sunday, September 13 at the Empty Bottle. Tickets are available right now at ticketweb.com.
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