Woods, "Bend Beyond"

It’s a mixture of 1990s lo-fi, 1970s folksiness and 2000s whiny indie rock.

Taking each song on Woods’ “Bend Beyond” individually, the album is a success.

Perhaps what Woods does best in “Bend Beyond” is weave emotion-filled lyrics into its cheery sound. The songs have Woods’ signature warm melodies, but behind the tune is a lingering sense of melancholia. It’s not done sophomorically as the songs are clean.

However, the album isn’t particularly unified as a whole.

Between surf jam “Cascade” and folksy “Cali In A Cup,” the album doesn’t have a true sense. While variation is important, Woods puts too many different sounds on one album and it feels fragmentary.

The songs are independently tight and the lyrics are intricately crafted. While “Bend
Beyond” documents Woods’ struggle to preserve its old sound while trying out new approaches, it shows off the band members’ progression as artists.

By Amanda Arnold