Displayed on the cover of The Wood Brothers new album Paradise, we see the classic idiom of the “carrot and stick” depicted. The mule moves toward the carrot in want of a reward of food while also moving away from the stick hoping to avoid a punishment of pain. The concept evokes many human emotions, particularly longing, desire and salvation. These themes and ideas are masterfully articulated on Paradise.
Recorded at Dan Auerbach’s (The Black Keys) East Eye Sound, the 10-track endeavor is the first instance of a Wood Brothers album that was written collectively by all three members of the band, Jano Rix, Oliver Wood, and Chris Wood (of Medeski, Martin and Wood fame), and is also the first time the band has recorded an album with Chris Wood on electric bass. The finished product presents a paradox of the human variety: the pursuit of a goal all the while not being guaranteed of it being reached, the classic push and pull struggle that is life, and the important bonds and relationships that make our lives all worth living.
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Keeping with their roots-rock and storytelling motifs, Paradise opens with “Singing To Strangers”, a track that explores loneliness. Guitar player and lead singer Oliver Wood puts a stranglehold on this tune with his powerful, penetrating vocals before launching into a dirty guitar solo. With production sounds like it was recorded in the someone’s basement, the whole album has a very intimate and raw element.
Things to start to heat up on the album with “American Heartache”. Wood begins the track by singing, “Everything I need is blowing in the breeze/Everything I want is just downstream/Everything between my ears is just a dream…” before the song breaks into an outlaw strut with some harmonica and slide guitar.
“Never And Always” follows and is possibly the most introspective tune on Paradise. “Salvation just out of reach/Guess that’s the way it might oughta be/How else can you stay on the right home?” Dealing with this theme of loneliness and belonging, the track really shines with guest appearances by Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks. Any time Susan’s vocals and Derek’s slide are added to the mix, you know there’s going to be fireworks.
“Two Places” is another great instance on this album that explores “belonging” somewhere. With hints of organ and fueled by acoustic instrumentation, this is a beautifully swaying song. Who wouldn’t want to be in two places at one time, especially when elements may be pulling you in multiple directions at once?
“Without Desire” explores an interesting notion, and that is living without want. A jazzier rock tune at it’s core, Oliver Wood poses “If I didn’t want anything, why would I write, why would I sing?” This question (should) need little reflection. After all, we all need something to live for, to fuel us. Without it, what would there to be drive us in our day to day lives?
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If there are any summation tracks on Paradise, “Touch Of Your Hand” and “River Of Sin” fit the bill. The former tune touches on the importance of human interaction (“Nothing brings peace to the soul of the man, like the sweet lovin’ touch of your hand…”), and the latter, a bit of a gospel sounding tune, speaks of continual striving and pushing forward through the dark times. As brother Chris Wood plucks his upright bass, Oliver sings “I swallow some pride, but I won’t be denied, cause I’ll try again and again.”
With Paradise, the Wood Brothers have stepped up and literally amplified their game to the next level. Their heartfelt, relatable lyrics and simplistic yet sophisticated instrumentation make for an easy spin, and one that the listener will inevitably want to go back and listen to again.