Bend Beyond - Woods
Bend Beyond Image
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

  • Summary: The latest full-length album for the Brooklyn band features the debut of new drummer Aaron Neveu.
  • Record Label: Woodsist
  • Genre(s): Folk, Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Indie Rock, Lo-Fi, Indie Folk
  • More Details and Credits »
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 21
  2. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Nov 20, 2012
    100
    Woods works well to find the right space for each instrument, maintaining the balance between accuracy and capriciousness that continues to define the band.
  2. Sep 27, 2012
    80
    With fewer experimental throwaways, the album puts the band's best foot forward: toe-tapping, harmony-laden kernels of pop.
  3. Oct 26, 2012
    80
    Earl has often been overshadowed by bands on the Woodsist label he runs, but here Woods are allowed to stand out from the trees. [Dec 2012, p.79]
  4. Oct 22, 2012
    60
    In sonic terms, it's considerably more aspirational than even last year's Sun And Shade, allowing Earl's take on various ages of American song-craft to snap into sharper focus. [Nov 2012, p.84]

See all 21 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Yet another gem from this underrated band. The sound is clearer but the same charm is flowing around as before. One of the best albums of 2012 so far... Expand
  2. 8
    Before starting listening to Bend Beyond, I read a bit about Woods and discovered that, unlike what I thought, this is their seventh album! However, this album seems so fresh and new! Though it Expand
  3. Woods is consistent. If you're a fan they give you what you want, and they give it to you regularly - around the same time every year - a bit like Christmas. While some critics might complain about a lack of "experimentation" or so-called "adventure," I'm happy to hear the band I've come to rely on without Kid-A-like departures or Mirage-Rockish flops. What they lack in adventure they make up for in production and maturity on this one. Good good album. Not mind-blowing, but very good. Expand