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. 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
  2. AH
    May 24, 2005
    10
    Rarely do I get to listen to an album so few times (1.5x) before deciding that it is this incredible. My initial impression can be summed up w/ the word DRUMS. My only problem with this albums is I don't know that I'll ever be able to listen to it loud enough, due to the neighbors.
  3. JasonL
    May 25, 2005
    6
    hugely disappointing album that, for the most part, goes back on everything that made sleater-kinney great before - the fierce but tight post-hardcore guitar attack, vaguely reminiscent of the DC sound but ten times as clean and thought out, and endlessly catchy melodies and vocal counterpoint. carrie, for instance, can hardly be heard. volume does not equal power - just compare minor hugely disappointing album that, for the most part, goes back on everything that made sleater-kinney great before - the fierce but tight post-hardcore guitar attack, vaguely reminiscent of the DC sound but ten times as clean and thought out, and endlessly catchy melodies and vocal counterpoint. carrie, for instance, can hardly be heard. volume does not equal power - just compare minor threat to any number of other hardcore bands. still, it's sleater-kinney, and it's still an above average record. but certainly the worst thing they've done since their debut. a misguided experiment.… Expand
  4. JackR
    May 25, 2005
    10
    Not for the faint of heart, this is an experience that fully discloses itself only to those capable of enduring its initial sonic assault. From within the chaos, however, these three remarkable women harness and unleash what is without doubt some of the most immediate, most passionate and ulitmately transformatitve music I've ever heard. Awsome job S-K! And big kudos to Dave Not for the faint of heart, this is an experience that fully discloses itself only to those capable of enduring its initial sonic assault. From within the chaos, however, these three remarkable women harness and unleash what is without doubt some of the most immediate, most passionate and ulitmately transformatitve music I've ever heard. Awsome job S-K! And big kudos to Dave Fridmann's bold, daring production.… Expand
  5. ChadB
    May 25, 2005
    9
    The best afvice I have for anyone who ever had reservations about Sleater-Kinney in the past is to listen to "Jumpers". It embodies all of the S-K elements that have been built up over the last decate and incorporates them into a wall of unbridled sound. Four seconds.....
  6. [Anonymous]
    May 26, 2005
    10
    Spectacular!
  7. JoeR
    May 26, 2005
    10
    Like rock-climbing at night: Not sure what the nsxt track will bring, but exhilirated by the experience.
  8. PeterG
    Jun 15, 2005
    9
    You gotta listen a few times for it to sink in, but when it does . . .
  9. JM
    Jun 17, 2005
    9
    This is a great album period. This last stream of 0's as ratings is almost ridiculous.
  10. ariana
    Jun 17, 2005
    10
    on the woods, sleater-kinney have done something that most bands had been unable to do throughout their entire careers. they took something old and made it new, and better.
  11. carriebrownstein
    Jun 17, 2005
    10
    one of the best
  12. CaitlinK
    Jun 17, 2005
    9
    Not their best effort, but easily the most passionate album of the year.
  13. matta
    Jun 17, 2005
    5
    This is seriously overrated. Is it just because it's three chicks and critics don't want to appear sexist so they give it 100? I don't know but don't be fooled by the 86. This is very average rock/indie music at best.
  14. PaulL
    Jun 19, 2005
    6
    Although this rocks a bit harder, it's a typical Sleater Kinney album. Great vocal delivery, but lacking any catchy songs or melodies. The girls rock, but it's still a boring album. You might like it if you're a fan of meandering melodies.
  15. lawrenceh
    Jun 23, 2005
    2
    This record is a fraud, a notch below a female version of Spinal Tap. I gave it 2 stars for production. Aside from the songs being unmelodious, the singing unlistenable and the playing pedestrian, I have nothibng further to add. The fraudulent attempt to ape Hendrix must leave the late great one turning in his grave. Lawrence H
  16. JayD
    Jun 24, 2005
    10
    A phenomenal step forward for one of the best bands still lurking under the popular radar. The Woods may be a new sound for Sleater-Kinney, but somehow they make it seem like this is what they were meant to be all along. The turn towards heavier sounds and raucous distortion only makes one of the best bands around even better.
  17. mikes
    Jul 15, 2005
    0
    sorry s-k fans, i tried to like this cd but it is too bland for my taste, the whole rave-up against nostalgia in "Entertain" is just bad. I am not against women in rock but this effort is severly overrated, but hey its just my opinion.
  18. 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.
  19. 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
  20. JamesF
    Sep 14, 2005
    10
    This one is special. It sounds like a classic. Check it out, say you knew about it when.
  21. sidewinder572
    Jan 17, 2006
    10
    This is everything that a rock record should be and everything that's lacking in todays rock music.
  22. SeanT
    Dec 11, 2005
    10
    this album gave me goosebumps. sleater-kinney going hard = kick ass
  23. 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..
  24. 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
  25. 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.
  26. 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
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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

All reviews »
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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