The Wood Demons - In Rabbits & Corners
PV011
July 19th sees the release of this latest album from south west (Stroud) band The Wood Demons, their second after 2020’s The Angels Of Peckham Rye (the album that introduced them to me), after a wonderful show at The Camden Club supporting Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate. Quite frankly astonished me with their enticing songs, like Arithmomania and where I was overwhelmed. The magnificent violinist Naomi Belshaw, guitarist Simon Carbery bassist John Silver keyboard player Rick Startin and drummer Ed Kontargyris who all played a superb set promoting that particular album. Move forward several years post epidemic and we now have some brand-new music in the form of this splendid new album In Rabbits And Corners.
With a total of 5 tracks the shortest being a mere 7 minutes in length through to an epic 4 part track lasting 17:41. What an album! This is one I’ve been waiting for a couple of years to surface and arrive. Thankfully it has now and it is certainly worth the wait.
Beginning with the luscious I Told You I Will which kicks off with synths and a strong bass along with a sweeping violin line. This song written by Simon is about a dream and seeing folk in that dream. It is an involved track with a complex musical tone and texture it has a strong sense of dynamics along with a sense of restrained power.
It’s a fine opening song which is swiftly followed by the rather funky Gentlemen It’s Time which is hinged on John's sprightly bass playing and interaction with Naomi’s graceful violin flourishes. The song has lyrics about cricket but is actually about soldiers at war and how that affects them, turning them from young men into disillusioned combatants.
This is followed by Underground Rivers which is another strong track with excellent keyboards from Rick Startin and Naomi’s stellar violin parts that together create a sense of otherworldliness, The track all held together with the excellent rhythm section of John and Ed.
Trickledown follows and this has sensational guitar harmonics from Simon. The song is very rhythmically driven with lots of moods and atmospherics which helps to shape its tone, it’s meaning however eludes me. So instead I seek to allow it to engulf me with its sweet sounds a nice guitar line from Simon lifts the song.
The final song of the album is a 4-part epic entitled Nothing Between Us And Heaven which is a journey song that takes you from anger and frustration to peace and harmony through the healing power of music. It is also a paean to Northern Italy. This track has a very lively opening with some exotic sounds and structures especially in the violin lines alongside of this there is a fantastic guitar solo. Along with some stonking bass lines accompanied by strong keyboard textures and great violin sections. I really like this song its length is not squandered by frivolous moments so that every note deserves its place within the song. As the song continues there is a build up in tension and some powerful bass and drum interactions.
The second part of the song is more wistful and introspective in its tone, and speaks of striving for a sense of place within the cosmos. The ethnic violin melody line is repeated once again before a second fiery guitar break bursts forth sounding glorious, more violin interaction ensues making this 3rd part instrumental very exciting indeed. Overall it’s a glorious piece of music. Making it a fitting conclusion to a most impressive album and set of exciting musical moods and songs. The lyrics are also very interesting and complex in their meanings. The final part of this epic transports us to a place the writer has found his peace, this he finds in the calm setting of Northern Italy where the pace of life is much slower and calmer and where he feels welcomed even though he is not a local but a visitor.
I guess we all need to feel a sense of belonging and a place where we can feel that.
This is an album that you should definitely look out for and I recommend it highly.
Those who are going to Prog for Peart this weekend are in for a treat when The Wood Demons take the stage and play songs from this excellent new album - hopefully this will be a real opportunity for the band to gain some new followers in the process.
Info here; https://thewooddemons.bandcamp.com/album/in-rabbits-corners-2