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. D
    May 29, 2005
    10
    Outstanding, the record they've always had in them but were just too timid to make. Too bad the negative reviews buy into the sexism that keeps bands like Sleater-Kinney off the Billboard charts.
  2. TimW
    May 25, 2005
    10
    this album ROCKS so much! some of the best, loudest drums ever! put this cd on and turn your stereo up to full volume. SK again seems to get better with each album.
  3. Daved
    May 28, 2005
    10
    Sleater-Kinney's crowning achievement. Multiple listens reveal every track to be a towering aural delight, though "Jumpers" deserves to be the track that breaks them into the mainstream. Just keep a slightly open mind of what S-K should be and it won't disappoint. Simply do not miss this record.
  4. davec
    Jun 16, 2005
    10
    Rocks Hard! Ignore the 0s, get The Woods!
  5. chemicalscum
    Jun 20, 2005
    9
    A great album, but not quite a as good as One Beat which is still the best album of the century. So it gets 9 instead of 10
  6. RobT
    Jun 4, 2005
    10
    This is a new sound for them, and it is challenging at times, and it certainly isn't the Sleater-Kinney that you listened to in the nineties, but it's changing it up like this that keeps bands fertile, and keeps them from becoming has-beens. The sound they had before was great, but thank god this isn't another band that does nothing but churn out mediocre re-makes of their This is a new sound for them, and it is challenging at times, and it certainly isn't the Sleater-Kinney that you listened to in the nineties, but it's changing it up like this that keeps bands fertile, and keeps them from becoming has-beens. The sound they had before was great, but thank god this isn't another band that does nothing but churn out mediocre re-makes of their first few albums. The greatest rock band in America has made one of the greatest rock albums of the new century.… Expand
  7. MonteD
    Jul 9, 2005
    10
    stunning album
  8. KeithR
    Sep 4, 2005
    0
    I can not believe that a worse album could get better reviews. Totally unlistenable!! Grating screehing for vocals. Horrible, unintelligent lyrics. Distortion used to cover up talentless noodling. It becomes laughable quite quickly. For the life of me, I can't understand how anyone could enjoy this crap.
  9. 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
  10. JonB
    May 24, 2005
    10
    One word: BRILLIANT! It's sleater-kinneys best album yet, and ultimately the best rock-album so far this decade!
  11. jessica
    May 25, 2005
    10
    this isnt an album sleater kinney has ever attempted. which only proves how much these ladies have grown in these past years. sleater kinney still stays true with there battling guitars, flawless beat, and intense vocals. by far one of the best rock and roll albums i've ever listened to. a masterpiece! for the first time the band has captured the live concert energy that they have this isnt an album sleater kinney has ever attempted. which only proves how much these ladies have grown in these past years. sleater kinney still stays true with there battling guitars, flawless beat, and intense vocals. by far one of the best rock and roll albums i've ever listened to. a masterpiece! for the first time the band has captured the live concert energy that they have been very well knowned for.… Expand
  12. ToddinPDX
    May 30, 2005
    10
    Wow. After their last excellent release, I really thought these chicks were done (where else could they take their sound?). Instead, they come back w/ an absolute rock masterpiece. This is a record that not only turns the most jaded music cynic young again, but shows you just how mediocre the rest of the "indie" rock releases are.
  13. BaronL
    May 30, 2005
    9
    Furious and layered.
  14. Matt
    Jun 1, 2005
    9
    It is not a boring album at all - it is ferocious!
  15. johnws
    Jun 14, 2005
    0
    I can't believe this album is getting such great reviews when U2's masterpeice is getting slammed by readers. This is garbage. Stay out of the woods.
  16. NoahE
    Jun 15, 2005
    10
    Sleater-Kinney have sure undertaken a bold metamorphosis with their sound, which stems from its eclectic early punk-rock roots, which labeling them as a punk rock band just doesn't do the band justice, with Carrie Brownstein's wide range of musical personality that ranges from feminine Roger Daltrey to hardcore Go-Go's. Now they've taken their sound to a whole new Sleater-Kinney have sure undertaken a bold metamorphosis with their sound, which stems from its eclectic early punk-rock roots, which labeling them as a punk rock band just doesn't do the band justice, with Carrie Brownstein's wide range of musical personality that ranges from feminine Roger Daltrey to hardcore Go-Go's. Now they've taken their sound to a whole new level. It's louder than ever, rawer, and their most adventurous and audacious vibe yet. While their roots can be recognized on some tracks, it is overshadowed by a dense blend of hardcore rock that sounds of The Who, Ramones and Hendrix. Carrie Brownstein and Co. sound better than ever. Though they've always sounded confident as a trio, they've never sounded both confident and adventurous, with the 11-minute "Let's Call It Love" one of the best things they've ever recorded. "Entertain" and "The Fox" both showcase that arena-ready ruckus, while "Rollercoaster" exhibits more of a monster rock Go-Go's attitude, with that Hendrix distortion fusing each and every one of the tracks that'll frizzle your hair out immediately. Sleater-Kinney have topped themselves.… Expand
  17. FredM
    Jun 15, 2005
    10
    I'm under the impression that many of these 0 reviews are coming from one frustrated fan who's making up aliases and fake names who has a bias against the band. Self-parody? It's the direct opposite of that. How was U2's masterpiece slammed? Last time I checked it was borderline-Universal Acclaim score. And who doesn't borrow from other artists nowadays? All I I'm under the impression that many of these 0 reviews are coming from one frustrated fan who's making up aliases and fake names who has a bias against the band. Self-parody? It's the direct opposite of that. How was U2's masterpiece slammed? Last time I checked it was borderline-Universal Acclaim score. And who doesn't borrow from other artists nowadays? All I know is these chicks know how to rock it up better than just about any other group out there.… Expand
  18. retrobabe
    Jun 15, 2005
    10
    an underground classic!!!!!!!!!!
  19. TBoneM
    Jun 15, 2005
    9
    Theres some catchy stuff in there. It's definitely an album that grows on you. The fifth time you hear it you'll love it. I have to respect some the chances they take. All those zeros in a row are a conspiracy...
  20. GregA
    Jun 2, 2005
    5
    Why does this band automatically get great reviews everytime they put out another complicated sounding, yet completely boring album? i can have my computer put out random noises and it will sound complex but that doesnt mean its great music. just listen to the first track, that gives you pretty much the idea of what they are going for. honestly I dont think this band has had a hit since Why does this band automatically get great reviews everytime they put out another complicated sounding, yet completely boring album? i can have my computer put out random noises and it will sound complex but that doesnt mean its great music. just listen to the first track, that gives you pretty much the idea of what they are going for. honestly I dont think this band has had a hit since The Hot Rock, so if you really want to hear some good music spend your money on that. but then again most of the people who review/buy/download this sub-par release are scenesters who just need the latest music so they can namedrop to their scenester clones. oh well.… Expand
  21. MichaelE
    Jun 2, 2005
    3
    Why everybody's going so crazy of this I just can't understand. It seemed to me what S-K had going for them was the clever interaction between the two voices, which is all but gone on this middling effort. Never liked them that much to begin with, mind you.
  22. adam
    Jun 21, 2005
    10
    about to take over the world
  23. sethw
    Jun 2, 2005
    10
    bad ass
  24. korina
    Jun 20, 2005
    10
    Awesome, awesome, awesome is the best way to describe it!!
  25. KurtCobain
    Jun 20, 2005
    10
    This is an S-K album with a more hard, heavy rock sound injected into their music. And anytime a rock band makes a record with 11-minute improvised jams, big riffs, and lots of guitar solos, people are going to start comparing them to hard rock acts of the past. like led zeppelin. and jimi hendrix. that doesn't mean S-K is just another Jet on their new album, taking their sound This is an S-K album with a more hard, heavy rock sound injected into their music. And anytime a rock band makes a record with 11-minute improvised jams, big riffs, and lots of guitar solos, people are going to start comparing them to hard rock acts of the past. like led zeppelin. and jimi hendrix. that doesn't mean S-K is just another Jet on their new album, taking their sound directly from these artists. This is a S-K album. It sounds like S-K, not like Zeppelin. But one thing it does have in common with Zeppelin: it will fucking rock your socks off!!!!… Expand
  26. SusieK.
    Jun 3, 2005
    10
    Different and I like it. It is loud and beautiful at the same time. The only drag is the song "Modern Girl" which I could do without. I haven't been this excited about a Sleater-Kinney album since Dig Me Out.
  27. C.H.
    Jun 4, 2005
    10
    Sleater-Kinney does it again and rocks hard.
  28. Mike
    Jul 11, 2005
    8
    Pretty damn good. Not all of it works for me (Wilderness, Modern Girl, heck they coulda picked a better single too) but some parts of it are just so awesome... Rollercoaster, Let's Call It Love, What's Mine Is Yours, heck it's mostly really really good. I do miss the cute hooks and the, well, indie-collegeness of The Hot Rock and All Hands on the Bad One (and how they Pretty damn good. Not all of it works for me (Wilderness, Modern Girl, heck they coulda picked a better single too) but some parts of it are just so awesome... Rollercoaster, Let's Call It Love, What's Mine Is Yours, heck it's mostly really really good. I do miss the cute hooks and the, well, indie-collegeness of The Hot Rock and All Hands on the Bad One (and how they didn't play a song from EITHER album when I saw'em), but hey this album is a progression and it's really solid. Acquired taste, yes, but if you crave bland music maybe indie rock isn't for you.… Expand
  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. Adam
    Jul 10, 2005
    10
    The best and most intense album of 2005!! I can't get enough of this one. Splendid.
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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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