Even their name’s had a makeover – dropping the ‘With A Fistful of Fivers’ suffix, plain old Woodenbox have cleaned up nicely for their third full-length release.
Toning down their down’n’dirty alt.folk sound, they’ve opted for a more streamlined, straightforward styling this time out. Indeed, opener Somewhere New recalls Ennio Morricone but more his classical soundtracks than his spaghetti westerns. More Like A Friend employs the band’s trademark mariachi brass on a soulful duet while Directions recalls Alex Harvey with prog flounces. Overall, change becomes them.
(This review originally appeared in the Arbroath Herald)