Description
Donovan Woods' new album is a study in contrasts, as one would expect from its name: Both Ways. "What started the idea was people telling me, 'You can't have it both ways.' Or, 'You can't have a record full of thoughtful lyrics that also gets played on the radio. You can't have those things both ways.' This is just me trying to have both." That push-and-pull, especially in relationships, has long been Woods' stock in trade. It's a perspective that has led to nominations for the Polaris Prize and Juno Awards, and a catalogue with over 60 million streams. Woods is also a notable songwriter in Nashville with credits by Billy Currington, Charles Kelley, Tim McGraw and Charlie Worsham.
A number of the songs are guitar-driven, yet they stop short of full-blown rock 'n' roll. Produced by James Bunton (Ohbijou, The Hidden Cameras), the album also includes a duet with Rose Cousins called "I Ain't Ever Loved No One."
"In the tradition of the great storytelling songwriters – the Dylans, Cohens, Prines and Kristoffersons of this world – Woods manages in just those thirty-two words to open up a whole world of not terribly optimistic narrative possibilities." FRUK
