Strange to Explain
by Woods
  • Record Label: Woodsist
  • Release Date: May 22, 2020
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
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  1. AllMusic
    May 21, 2020
    90
    Strange to Explain sounds like the result of carefully considered choices in songwriting and production. Without losing the unfiltered emotion that makes them so compelling, Woods reach a new maturity with these songs. Fifteen years into a tirelessly curious evolution, the band sound more comfortable and surefooted here than ever before.
  2. Beats Per Minute
    May 26, 2020
    72
    What starts out as a great Woods record unfortunately peters out towards the end. Regardless, Woods have assembled a worthy “comeback” album of sorts, one that highlights all of their best moments, and even some of their more forgettable ideas.
  3. Exclaim
    May 21, 2020
    50
    This album feels like they need to take another walk in the trees to reconnect with their namesake.
  5. Glide Magazine
    May 26, 2020
    80
    If you were a fan of their mid-2000’s work, this album would be a very satisfying continuation of their sound while also mixing in enough new ideas for it to be a progressive album for the group.
  6. Mojo
    Jul 21, 2020
    80
    This third-eye-for-the-folk-guy makeover suits them well, its 11 tracks filled with space and light. [Sep 2020, p.94]
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  7. No Ripcord
    May 27, 2020
    60
    Woods consciously goes for simplicity, not depth. The musicianship complements that goal appropriately on Strange to Explain, an album that hazily focuses on themes of dreams and sleep. The wah-wah guitars, Mellotron, and gentle, upbeat drums match the laconic subject matter to relaxing and pleasant, if forgettable, effect, sort of like a dream.
  8. Paste Magazine
    May 28, 2020
    73
    For the most part, the songs are compact, with only the closing instrumental, “Weekend Wind,” passing the six-minute mark. Jeremy Earl’s falsetto is at its most confident and versatile, gliding over tunes that explore the headspace newfound fatherhood has brought him.
  9. Pitchfork
    May 27, 2020
    75
    The record represents a roaring comeback for the band at a moment to which their sound is particularly well-suited.
  10. PopMatters
    May 22, 2020
    80
    The excellent Strange to Explain, acts as a course correction. Where Love Is Love was filled with mantras and positive affirmations, Earl is now quick to admit that wishing away darkness doesn't guarantee its departure.
  11. Q Magazine
    May 21, 2020
    80
    A sublime tonic. [Jul 2020, p.113]
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  12. Uncut
    May 21, 2020
    80
    Strange To Explain might be about dreaming and escape but it's also about their limitations, our need for hoke and the importance of other people. [Jun 2020, p.31]
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  13. Under The Radar
    May 27, 2020
    75
    The record wanders amongst the warm thickets of Woods’ discography like an explorer: coming across new worlds and sensations without judgement or fear, but instead, equipped with an eye for the beautifully difficult—those things in life that test us, that make us pure.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. Doylw
    May 22, 2020
    10
    Fantastic album that lives up to the rest of the discography. They managed to merge what made Sun City great into their their longer, moreFantastic album that lives up to the rest of the discography. They managed to merge what made Sun City great into their their longer, more guitar focused songs and it works very well. It shocks me this band aren't bigger than they are.… Full Review »
  2. Lajaleaa
    Sep 5, 2020
    8
    ( 88/100 )

    Woods me dio una de las más gratas sorpresas del 2020. Esta recurrente banda, con 10 albums desde el 2007 tocando una hermosa    ( 88/100 )

    Woods me dio una de las más gratas sorpresas del 2020. Esta recurrente banda, con 10 albums desde el 2007 tocando una hermosa combinación de Indie Rock, Psychedelic Folk y Rock con rasgos de LoFi, fue creada por Jeremy Earl alrededor del 2005 y creció para convertirse en una banda Indie más exclusivas e intimas para su público. La razón es al mismo tiempo su paradoja: su falta de popularidad. En "Strange To Explain", Woods demuestra una visión hermosa en su complejidad, ingeniosa en su simpleza, sensible con intensidad e íntimamente poderosa. Sin miedo a la extensión, la banda canta sobre recuerdos con detalle variopinto y optimismo melancólico, asimismo, la producción reluce con acústicas importantes llenas de textura boscosa, grandeza espacial, ecos del tiempo y pequeñas gotas de melodías que acogen a los alpinistas cruzando. Me quedo con una muy bonita experiencia musical y la emoción de ver este bosque crecer.
    -
    Woods gave me one of the most grateful surprises of 2020. This constant band with 10 albums since 2007 playing a beautiful combination of Indie-Rock, Psychedelic Folk, and Rock with traces of LoFi, was created by Jeremy Earl around 2005 and grew up to become an exclusive and intimate Indie band with its public. The reason is, at the same time, its paradox: their lack of popularity. In "Strange To Explain", Woods shows a vision beautiful in its complexity, clever with its simplicity, sensible with intensity, and powerfully intimate. Fearless to extension, the band sings about memories with colorful details and melancholic optimism. Similarly, the production shimmers with important acoustics full of wooded texture, spatial greatness, time echoes, and little drops of melodies that embrace the hikers passing by. I stick with a beautiful musical experience and the excitement of watching grow these woods.    … Full Review »
  3. OrangeYosh
    Jun 1, 2020
    7
    This album sonically is like going outside on an early morning in fall with your sweater on and walking around enjoying the weather and takingThis album sonically is like going outside on an early morning in fall with your sweater on and walking around enjoying the weather and taking in nature. Although in my personal preference, I really like doing this, but I don't love it like others. Maybe this album might grow on me, but for now, some parts of this album don't always click with me right away. But still, when it clicks (which is for most of it) it sounds great, and very hopeful lyrically and sonically. Overall, this is a great listen I would recommend to most, although this won't be everyone's thing. Great album tho

    Review taken from my page on albumoftheyear.org, go follow it if ya want @rileyperreault    … Full Review »
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