Sherwood brings soothing melodies and catchy hooks to your ears with this California throwback
"Listen to This" are featured reviews of some of my favorite new music (within the last 1-2months, generally). By virtue of being featured in this section, this album has impressed me enough that I would recommend buying it to almost anyone.
The latest effort from this California band is without a doubt my favorite to date. While I have enjoyed pretty much every Sherwood offering, many fans of the album Sing, But Keep Going felt a bit of a disconnect with the bands last album, A Different Light . Featuring greater amounts of production and stronger guitar, A Different Light was a more radio-friendly attempt. Long time Sherwood fans will be happy to know that Qu returns to the bands simple, sunshine-in-California roots. The best way to describe it would be to say that Sherwood advances their musical mastery in this album while getting back to the basics.
That's not to say that the album is not without depth. In fact, be sure to listen to this one on a good sound system. The subtleties in the musical progression of the tracks on Qu are what makes the album so enchanting, and these can easily be lost if you are not attentive. Songs such as "Maybe This Time," "Hit The Bottom" and "What Are You Waiting For" are great examples of how Sherwood starts with a soft and simple beginning and then masterfully adds layers as the song progresses and matures. Songs like "Worn," which features a duet with Molly Jenson and "No Better," a heartbreaking song about divorce, demonstrate Sherwood's maturity and increased range. All of the tracks are supported by Nate Henry's strong, soothing and consistent vocals.
Qu is one of those rare albums that can be listened to from start to finish without need of the skip button. The sound is reminiscent of The Beach Boys, and the musical composition harkens back to The Beatles' subtle-yet-complex formula. I'm not going to go so far as to say that Sherwood has equaled either of those legendary bands with this latest album, but this is certainly a worthy rendition of the overall effect.
You'll like this album if:
-- You appreciate subtle harmonies and musical progressions
-- You enjoy upbeat and pleasant melodies and mostly major musical chords
-- You are a fan of pop-rock music (the good kind)
This album probably isn't for you if:
-- You are a fan of stronger guitar rifts and more frenetic vocals (A more aggressive sound)
My Favorite Tracks:
"Ground Beneath My Feet"
"Around You"
"Not Gonna Love"
Final Verdict:
4.6/5 (Go get it now!)
Some other good reviews:
Absolute Punk
The Album Project
Sputnikmusic
Track List:
1. Shelter (Terrific harmonies)
2. Maybe This Time
3. Hit the Bottom
4. Make it Through
5. You Are
6. Ground Beneath My Feet
7. Around You
8. What Are You Waiting For?
9. Not Gonna Love (Steel drums!)
10. Worn
11. Free
12. No Better (Not for easy listening)
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