THE WOODS ARE NOT WHAT THEY SEEM

In albums future-hence, Needlepoint are a Norwegian Jazz-Rock band that combines an occasionally progressive focus with Roots Rock and Psychedelic Pop-Rock. I have to admit, and you can see my reviews and ratings for their following two albums, I'm a bit of a skeptic, but I know they have a lot to offer and at their best, they are excellent. I can't sing any praises here.

This, their debut LP, opens with "Reynard", a jazzy Funk jam. It's a jam and no more. Some nice textures. This is followed by "Next Peg", a low and slow sort of bluesy number, with groovin' drums and clean, melodic guitar soloing. It's very safe. Don't need it. Then we have the more bombastic, rolling rhythm of "Out of Wives" [hilarious name, by the way], which initially feels like a call to the Jazz Fusion of, perhaps, John Abercrombie (a compliment, in the least). Much more confidence here from seemingly all camps coming off that last one. Guitar and electric (and again funky) organ(?) trade off solos over this solid groove. This crescendos to a pretty bright blaze. It's the apparent (deeply effected and fuzzy, though crunchy and alien) bass at the end that really drives it home. Anyways, though, just way too long... I can't help but say how aimless it feels.

Next is the title track, "The Woods Are Not What They Seem". It is low and slow and the drums are simplistic (though with clever little tings on the cymbals). Soft guitar solos slowly over this even slower rhythm... Hmmm... And that's the whole song. I skipped through it, honestly. Then we have the even longer "Drift", but at least these drums are cool as hell. I'm once again hearing some twang, reminiscent to me before (I had noted) of Guthrie Govan, the master of genre bending/blending. This might as well be a Grateful Dead song, though... But like in a bad way. I had also mentioned Krautrock and this has a spacy sort of jam feel that is very comparable to that (again, not in a way that I would prefer--and I don't dislike Krautrock in the least). Again, it's 12 minutes and again, it just feels so aimless to me.

Entering into our final tracks, we have "Half the Man". And I feel I've been severed here... by absolute boredom... Yeesh. Just happy to be writing another negative review hahahaha (I really do love it). 'R'ain't nothin' here for me. Next, "Trapdoor" is another sort of spacy psychedelic jam. But it brings nothing new or interesting to the table (I mean, I'm not expecting anything totally new from Psych, but you get it). And with the finale, I'm bored to death again (it is pretty... not that I care). "Eyes Shut"? More like ears shut... I'm done. Bye.

True Rate: 1.5/5.0