Customer Reviews

Loaded

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
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The Wood Brothers are in no particular hurry to impress you. They just take their time and hope that the music will eventually speak for itself. I knew virtually nothing about the Wood Brothers, so I first played "Loaded" with no expectations at all. One by one, the songs glided past, leaving the subtle impression that I wanted to hear it again. Since that first listen, I've played this CD numerous times, and it keeps growing on me in ways that I never would have expected. There's no high-tech production, no musical gimmickry, no forced energy and no pandering to the audience anywhere on "Loaded." Instead, the songs lope along at a casual pace, enveloping their own space until they seem to physically become a part of it.
"Loaded" is an album built from natural ingredients, with an earthy production built around traditional instrumentation. The songs are full of warmth and space, and benefit greatly from vocals that are expressive yet relaxed. "Postcards From Hell" paints a subtle portrait of a lifer-musician, a man who plays music simply because he must. Oliver Wood beautifully captures the essence of this character, singing "If you ask him how he sings the blues so well, he says `I got a soul that I won't sell and I don't read no postcards from hell." Like most of the songs here, the image is poetic, but straightforward and honest. A similar moment occurs on the title track, which utilizes a few of the many interpretations of the word `loaded'. Accompanied by some brilliant steel guitar, Wood sings, "I was loaded, proud to say I was loaded. Sometimes the tip of my tongue is the barrel of a gun and it's loaded." Oliver's brother Chris (whom you may know from Martin, Medeski & Wood) sings, too, and the brothers usually pair up to write these organic gems.
The album's pace is well-defined in the chorus of "Fall Too Fast, where the Wood Brothers celebrate the entrapments of passion, singing "Don't let me fall too fast. I want to fall slowly, I want my fall to last."" The same can be said of "Loaded." Sometimes you have to give a record a chance to work its magic. Most programmers will not consider "Loaded" to be `radio friendly', so don't expect to hear it that way. Even if you did, a single play of one song is not enough to convey the fullness of this album. If this review piques your curiosity, then you'll need to take some time and check it out for yourself. As they sing in "Walk Away," "Time used to make me wait, now time just makes me late." So far, "Loaded" is my favorite `sleeper' album of '08. A Tom Ryan

Ways Not to Lose was my favorite album of 2006. Loaded may be my favorite of 2008. There is more instrumentation on this one. There are a couple tracks where I think the guest musicians get in the way. The song writing is outstanding on all the originals and they do a great job of putting their own stamp on Jimi Hendrix's "Angel" and Bob Dylan's "Buckets of Rain". This music really defies category. It's great modern roots music. Dripping with Blues and Folk with funky hooks and really interesting arranging. They put on a great live show too. Do yourself a favor and buy the album then go to a show.

The first time I saw the Wood Brothers live, it was in Cherry Hill, NJ in the park. I was hooked on these guys right then and there and have been a fan of everything they've done, including the older brother's work with Martin and Medeski. With "Loaded," they have kept up their good work. They just refuse to disappoint.

Excellent work on this piece, especially on standouts like "Postcards From Hell," "Lovin' Arms" and "Make Me Down A Pallet On Your Floor." It was also refreshing to hear Amos Lee make a short appearance on one of the tracks. But the thing that interested me the most was Chris Woods' solo performance on "Don't Look Back." I've never heard him sing before as his younger brother normally takes lead. It's a haunting, soulful piece that's not designed to impress or change your life. It's just a great song.

Well done, guys. Looking forward to the next album already!
TGG

Already a fan of The Wood Brothers? You will enjoy this homage to there mother. The covers on here are well done, too.

This album is absolutely amazing from start to finish. It ranges from touching melodious folk to gritty and funky. Excellent lyrics and writing, excellent instrumentation, and excellent all around. Get this album!

The Wood Brothers - Loaded (2008)
Loaded, The Wood Brothers' 2nd album, is a fine example of "the song comes first." Stark solo acoustic tunes are intermixed with leisurely paced mellow rock tunes whose spirit is at once funky, soulful, melodic and easy on the ear. Tunes swagger with the confidence of a seemingly effortless delivery, but the production is honest, humble and free of gloss, evoking a cool, uncluttered spirit so reminiscent of The Band. If you like the artists below, this album is a shoe-in for you.

Genres: Folk Rock, Mellow Rock.

Buy if you like: Jackson Browne, The Band, Little Feat

Key Tracks: "Lovin' Arms," "Angel," "Pray Enough."

I was introduced to these guys a couple years ago, heard some live stuff, some burned copies, etc. I fell in love with "that voice" which I now know is Oliver Wood. This CD is just amazing. It is like sitting on a porch with the brothers (and a few guests who've stopped by) and just grooving. I played it non-stop for the first two weeks, and now my husband and I take turns stealing it back from one another. Check out the samples- if you like the voice, buy it. If you like blues-y simplicity, buy it. If you want something to dance or head-bop to, keep looking. I am desperate for them to come near me so I can see them live!

Let me start by saying this album is good. It might be really good. But I came with the expectations of the first album, and it's just not that. This album is produced nicely - but maybe over-produced. The core strengths are still there - grainy, soulful, catchy, folk-with-a-twist - but I listened to it and wanted a little more. This album sounds like they're trying a little too hard - they didn't capture the raw beauty of the first album. Again, maybe that's ok, but it wins second place in my book. Get the album - you'll like it - but don't get this one instead of the first.

This cd is amazing. I LOVED their first cd, when I first listened to this cd I thought "it's good, but it's not as good as Loaded". The more I listened to it, the more I loved it. It's so simple and beautiful. It has proven to be better than the first and I am looking forward to the third. It's very heartfelt music that is easy to relate to and feels good on the soul.

The "Ways Not to Lose" CD is my absolute favorite. I can listen to it repeately and never tire of it. All of my close relatives understand that it is the music I want played at my funeral.

With that said, "Loaded" is a great follow-up. These two brothers make some beautiful songs together while sounding real and true.