Perennial is the twelfth studio album by American folk rock band Woods, released on September 15, 2023, under Woodsist. It received acclaim from critics.
| Perennial | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 15, 2023 | |||
| Studio | Panoramic House, Stinson Beach, California | |||
| Genre | Indie rock[1] | |||
| Length | 44:15 | |||
| Label | Woodsist | |||
| Producer |
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| Woods chronology | ||||
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Background and recording
editWoods frontman Jeremy Earl worked on loops by himself that he sent to the other band members, who then wrote songs around the loops, with guitarist Jarvis Taveniere recording and mixing the album.[1]
Critical reception
edit| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 84/100[2] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [3] |
| Mojo |  [4] |
| Uncut | 7/10[5] |
Perennial received a score of 84 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on four critics' reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[2] Mojo called it "organic, evergreen loveliness",[4] while Uncut felt that "the abundance of dreamy, placid wonders like 'Between the Past' and the instrumental 'White Wonder Melody' doesn't entirely negate one's longing for more of the ferocious, Ira Kaplan-worthy shredding that fills the final moments of 'Another Dream' or other touches that add a wobblier, woozier feel to the proceedings".[5]
Fred Thomas of AllMusic wrote that Perennial "finds the group expanding once more, turning in some of their most ornate production while maintaining their signature earthen songwriting style", calling it "another step forward" for Woods.[3] Glide Magazine's Shawn Donohue summarized it as "another collection of easy breezy efforts that continue the band's style, offering pretty instrumentals next to grooving indie rock", concluding that its "easy-going vibes and layers of sound win the day".[1]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Seed" | 3:40 |
| 2. | "Between the Past" | 4:34 |
| 3. | "Another Side" | 6:00 |
| 4. | "White Winter Melody" | 4:35 |
| 5. | "Sip of Happiness" | 4:35 |
| 6. | "Little Black Flowers" | 3:19 |
| 7. | "Day Moving On" | 4:10 |
| 8. | "The Wind Again" | 3:37 |
| 9. | "Weep" | 3:35 |
| 10. | "Double Dream" | 3:43 |
| 11. | "Perennial" | 2:27 |
| Total length: | 44:15 | |
Personnel
edit- Jeremy Earl – vocals, guitar, drums, percussion, Mellotron, vibraphone, autoharp, loops, producer
- Jarvis Taveniere – guitar, bass, organ, vocals, producer, mixing
- Timothy Stollenwerk – mastering
- Connor Gallaher – pedal steel guitar
- John Andrews – piano, organ, Mellotron, drums, vocals
- Kyle Forester – saxophone
References
edit- ^ a b c Donohue, Shawn (September 13, 2023). "Woods Keeps It Easy Breezy On '70s Light FM Inspired Perennial (Album Review)". Glide Magazine. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
- ^ a b "Perennial by Woods Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
- ^ a b Thomas, Fred. "Woods – Perennial Album Review". AllMusic. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
- ^ a b "Woods – Perennial". Mojo. October 2023. p. 88.
- ^ a b "Woods – Perennial". Uncut. October 2023. p. 37.