Spill Magazine

The Deep Dark Woods’ third full-length release, “Winter Hours” is inappropriately titled. All 12 of the tracks featured on this album are far too rich with character and warm tones to be considered a winter-themed project. There are no lapses of hibernation or icy stares signaled in their songs at all, even if the album art encourages that sentiment. This Saskatoon-based four-piece easily meander back and forth between the highs and lows of traditionally minded roots music. There’s no skimping on the pedal steel, which makes for a consistently nice flourish indeed. If nothing else, the song “All the Money I Had Is Gone” makes it clear why this band is one of Exclaim!’s artists to watch for in 2009. This track rolls its narrator in like a kayak on a turbulent river, ultimately capsizing him to where he consents to defeat with the words, “I can weep and I can cry. I can wonder why.” They may call themselves The Deep Dark Woods, but this band certainly is not in the dark when it comes to resonating with sounds of the heartland.