The Woods
by Sleater-Kinney
  • Record Label: Sub Pop
  • Release Date: May 24, 2005
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 183 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 151 out of 183
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 183
  3. Negative: 20 out of 183

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  1. All_ButTrU4
    Apr 1, 2022
    8
    Sleater Kinney is the best thing to come out of the Olympia GRRL movement and since their seemingly fully formed debut they've been on a streak of remarkable albums that only stand to push the boundaries only they could leave for themselves . The woods is an epic testimony to skill with heavy guitars and caustic vibrating vocals it's sound creates a wall around you. It's truly a rivetingSleater Kinney is the best thing to come out of the Olympia GRRL movement and since their seemingly fully formed debut they've been on a streak of remarkable albums that only stand to push the boundaries only they could leave for themselves . The woods is an epic testimony to skill with heavy guitars and caustic vibrating vocals it's sound creates a wall around you. It's truly a riveting experience.… Expand
  2. nirvanafreak
    Jan 6, 2016
    10
    I think 11 years on I can say its a classic record. S-K progressed with each album until they reached perfection with this and No Cities To Love. Are they capable of making a less than perfect album anymore?
  3. Omniculex
    Jan 15, 2015
    10
    Their most brutal album, by far, and yet what a wonderful pain it is. They were always so razor sharp, but this time, they've decided to bludgeon and pulverize.
  4. SilverMan
    Jun 25, 2012
    9
    Finally a real energetic rock album. Its essence's been missing for so many years, now Sleater Kinney push it back with this extraordinary album. Rock from the begining until the end, I assure you
  5. MarcDoyle
    Nov 13, 2010
    9
    Great album. It's got such a full sound, especially compared to many of other other acts in the riot girrrrl era. They've come a long way since Heavens to Betsy..
  6. MikeL
    Feb 16, 2008
    10
    Amazing. Still an absolutely amazing record.
  7. Gus
    Dec 12, 2007
    10
    Amazing.
  8. leons
    Apr 4, 2007
    10
    A couple of years on and I still cant stop listerning
  9. AndyP
    Aug 13, 2006
    10
    Great from beginning to end, even if the poor mastering gets annoying once in a while. Really captures the intensity of their live show. Sad to see them go, and glad I caught them at Lollapalooza first.
  10. time
    Aug 9, 2006
    10
    What a fond farewell to the greatest band of the decade.
  11. hannahb
    Jul 9, 2006
    10
    incredible album from the greatest girl group ever. a move away from punk, but still outrageous and as intense as always. i saw them live (thank god, as they've since disbanded) and they were unbelieveable.
  12. NickT
    Jan 20, 2006
    10
    Sleater-Kinney, after 7 amazing albums, is still one of the most genuine bands working today. With "The Woods" they instill a sense of growth within long-time listeners. Corin's vocals alone are worth mountains of praise, but the amount of depth in this album and the growth from "One Beat" is inspiring. The girls just make their job look so easy.
  13. sidewinder572
    Jan 17, 2006
    10
    This is everything that a rock record should be and everything that's lacking in todays rock music.
  14. SeamusS
    Jan 6, 2006
    10
    . An album that
  15. SeanT
    Dec 11, 2005
    10
    this album gave me goosebumps. sleater-kinney going hard = kick ass
  16. JamesM
    Dec 9, 2005
    10
    Just ace
  17. RonE
    Dec 1, 2005
    10
    You'll hate me for saying it, but this is an instant classic. It is superb. It's a daring album, a risk taken by the band that paid back in spades, which reward is then passed on to the listener. The initial blast of "The Fox" sets the tone; "Jumpers" might be the most beautiful song about suicide; "Rollercoaster" never fails to make me want to dance; and wrapping up the You'll hate me for saying it, but this is an instant classic. It is superb. It's a daring album, a risk taken by the band that paid back in spades, which reward is then passed on to the listener. The initial blast of "The Fox" sets the tone; "Jumpers" might be the most beautiful song about suicide; "Rollercoaster" never fails to make me want to dance; and wrapping up the sprawling effort of "Let's Call it Love" is the haunting and beatiful "Night Light".… Expand
  18. mikem
    Nov 14, 2005
    10
    best rock band in america, hands down. lyrically not some of their best work, but the heaving raw guitars and power define what rock music should be. this is not an album for everyone, so for those who prefer slickly produced and filtered music, highly refined and synthetic sounds, cerebral melodies and gentle measured beats, this album may not be for you. for any fan of real visceral best rock band in america, hands down. lyrically not some of their best work, but the heaving raw guitars and power define what rock music should be. this is not an album for everyone, so for those who prefer slickly produced and filtered music, highly refined and synthetic sounds, cerebral melodies and gentle measured beats, this album may not be for you. for any fan of real visceral american rock music, our nation's sole remaining export in these post-industrial times, SK's The Woods is the real thing.… Expand
  19. M.Mignatti.
    Nov 10, 2005
    10
    Incredible.
  20. IanC
    Oct 15, 2005
    10
    I had heard of Sleater-Kinney but never actually "heard" them before seeing how highly regarded this album was on metacritic. I picked up this album, and all I have to say is that it is a crime against humanity that they are not more well known. Just attended their concert in Omaha last Wednesday and there were all of maybe 300 people there to see what I now consider to be the best rock I had heard of Sleater-Kinney but never actually "heard" them before seeing how highly regarded this album was on metacritic. I picked up this album, and all I have to say is that it is a crime against humanity that they are not more well known. Just attended their concert in Omaha last Wednesday and there were all of maybe 300 people there to see what I now consider to be the best rock band in the world. If you like hard, uncompromising music, pick up this album.… Expand
  21. JamesF
    Sep 14, 2005
    10
    This one is special. It sounds like a classic. Check it out, say you knew about it when.
  22. Ellen
    Sep 7, 2005
    10
    Surely, Sleater-Kinney are not a band that can be digested easily. Most of the negative reviews you will read on this page will probably come from two groups of people: those who have never heard an S-K album and just happened to pick up The Woods, listened to it once or twice, and thought it was horrendous, and then old-school S-K fans who favor the complex in-and-out weaving guitar Surely, Sleater-Kinney are not a band that can be digested easily. Most of the negative reviews you will read on this page will probably come from two groups of people: those who have never heard an S-K album and just happened to pick up The Woods, listened to it once or twice, and thought it was horrendous, and then old-school S-K fans who favor the complex in-and-out weaving guitar riffs and off kilter melodies of their older albums. The point is, don't listen to either. There is so much to fathom in The Woods that it is bound to turn off first time listeners or those who are too stuck in their perception of what the band should sound like. I would not recommend this CD to anyone who had never heard S-K, because for this CD to be your first introduction to them would be too much to handle. With all that said though, what an incredible album it is! The instrumentals are unmatched by most current bands in rock, and the songwriting only further displays the band's talent. It's been ten years running and the women of S-K have NEVER sounded better. And as to all the complaints about the production, it flows perfectly, 100% with each song. The distortion perfectly lends to the overall tone of the music.… Expand
  23. AlexD.
    Aug 11, 2005
    10
    Album of the year!
  24. JoshH
    Aug 6, 2005
    10
    The Woods is already one of the top albums of 2005. I feel the same way about it as I did about the Flaming Lips' Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots -- it doesn't sound like anything I've ever heard before. This album is something special.
  25. VinceH.
    Aug 2, 2005
    10
    I am in no way/shape/form a Sleater-Kinney fan by any means. I tried listening to "One Beat" a few years ago and didn't get into it at all. So anyways I bought "The Woods" after reading the reviews in my 2 fav music sites, Pitchfork and cokemachineglow, and was totally blown away. Dave Friedmann has already produced one of my other favorite albums of 2005 (Low - The Great Destroyer), I am in no way/shape/form a Sleater-Kinney fan by any means. I tried listening to "One Beat" a few years ago and didn't get into it at all. So anyways I bought "The Woods" after reading the reviews in my 2 fav music sites, Pitchfork and cokemachineglow, and was totally blown away. Dave Friedmann has already produced one of my other favorite albums of 2005 (Low - The Great Destroyer), but he completely outdoes himself here. The production is absolutely amazing, the melodies and vocals astonishing, and the musical interplay between the 3 musicians is nothing less than perfect. Defintely my choice so far for album of the year.… Expand
  26. ScottD
    Jul 29, 2005
    9
    This album is very different S-K. It's a cliche, but they truly did turn everything - I mean EVERYTHING, guitars, amps, pedals, energy - to 11 for The Woods. Imagine an overdriven One Beat with tons of guitar solos. The Woods is also their most challenging - I would NOT recommend it as a starting point for a newbie, which makes their decision to sign with Sub Pop (and it's wider This album is very different S-K. It's a cliche, but they truly did turn everything - I mean EVERYTHING, guitars, amps, pedals, energy - to 11 for The Woods. Imagine an overdriven One Beat with tons of guitar solos. The Woods is also their most challenging - I would NOT recommend it as a starting point for a newbie, which makes their decision to sign with Sub Pop (and it's wider market push than KRS) an interesting sidenote to me. But who ever expects the usual from these ladies? As for favorites, well it took me about 4 listens to process all the bombast and really "get" it. I'd rank Tracks 1-7 as a top-drawer S-K album, a total knockout and would contend for their best work. However Tracks 8-10 go somewhat awry and don't have the same power or persuasion, so that brings my rating down a half peg. Overall, another great addition to their catalogue and conspicuously - and NOISILY - different from anything else they've done.… Expand
  27. TerrenceO
    Jul 21, 2005
    9
    SleaterKinney feeds theyre normal guitar interplay and soaring nasal dueling vocal leads through a stomp box and a blender... and oddly enough it doesnt suck. while the 11 minute solo on "Lets Call It Love" is a little much the rest of the album is not only a pleasant, but refreshing listen that casts a fresh light on traditional rock song craft and a band that carved out a unique and SleaterKinney feeds theyre normal guitar interplay and soaring nasal dueling vocal leads through a stomp box and a blender... and oddly enough it doesnt suck. while the 11 minute solo on "Lets Call It Love" is a little much the rest of the album is not only a pleasant, but refreshing listen that casts a fresh light on traditional rock song craft and a band that carved out a unique and defining but unwavering style for themselves. Just enough is different to keep it interesting..… Expand
  28. ChrisH
    Jul 19, 2005
    10
    When I first heard this album, I couldn't stand it. The vocals were screechy and the album sounded too unrefined. But after listening to the album again after hiding in the depths of my computer's hard drive for two months, I really came to love this album. It's raw, it's powerful, and it's a whole lotta fun.
  29. beyondtool
    Jul 16, 2005
    7
    Love it or hate it seems to be the primary response to this album. Well let's face it Nivarna and Jimi Hendrix are old news. This album may seek to reference some great rock formulas, but it never really rises above the forumula. The sad thing is that this album only really strikes one as memorable comparing it to the the sea of pitiful rock since the turn of the century. Love it or hate it seems to be the primary response to this album. Well let's face it Nivarna and Jimi Hendrix are old news. This album may seek to reference some great rock formulas, but it never really rises above the forumula. The sad thing is that this album only really strikes one as memorable comparing it to the the sea of pitiful rock since the turn of the century. Unfortunately this album is not revolutionary, unconventianal or independant, but it is a brave step away from the mediocrity of Modern Rock music. Mis 90's it would have been an average album from an average band. The fact that it is critically acclaimed in 2005 highlights the poor state or today's rock scene.… Expand
  30. JohnM
    Jul 12, 2005
    10
    Absolutely staggering. Without question the best rock album this year and a very strong contender for album of the year. Eddie Vedder claimed to to have blown his speakers out listening to this album and I believe it - The Woods completely kicks your ass. And in response to Kyle A, I guess I would have to hate anyone who DISlikes this album or band. Sleater-Kinney have again shown us - Absolutely staggering. Without question the best rock album this year and a very strong contender for album of the year. Eddie Vedder claimed to to have blown his speakers out listening to this album and I believe it - The Woods completely kicks your ass. And in response to Kyle A, I guess I would have to hate anyone who DISlikes this album or band. Sleater-Kinney have again shown us - and more here on this album than ever - why they are one of the greatest and most significant rock bands of this era. The Woods really deserves the big ol' 10/10.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Best Album of 2005
24
#24 Most Discussed Album of 2005
64
#64 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. Village Voice
    90
    Previous albums have never quite captured those onstage moments when the power they generate seems to catch them unawares, but on The Woods you can hear not only the deliberation in Weiss's eyes as she ponders the exact placement of beat and crash, or Brownstein's bedroom-mirror rock-star poses, but also the stunned grin Tucker can never contain after emitting her most gravity-defiant shrieks.
    Read full review
  2. Alternative Press
    100
    [They] clearly sound alive with the possibility of redefining punk song structure by writing 11-minute flamboyant guitar dirges that have as much in common with My Bloody Valentine as they do with '70s arena rock. [May 2005, p.170]
  3. Amazon.com
    80
    A smoldering rock and roll record that rivals John Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band and Nirvana’s In Utero in terms of unexpectedness.
    Read full review
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