Tour Dates Review

The Deep Dark Woods do sadness incredibly well. It's unlikely there was a more downbeat and affecting song in 2007 than "Five Hundred Meters", from the Saskatoon quartet's sophomore album. Winter Hours begins in a similar fashion - both the ominous "Farewell" and the old-timey "Nancy" deal with departures. On the former, Ryan Boldt's voice has the perfect mix of deep timbre and slight quaver, simultaneously defiant and defeated. On "Nancy", there are echoes of Townes Van Zandt. TDDW's country leanings do not spring from any alt-country well. This is unashamedly old-fashioned. The gentle warm tones of organ on "How Can I Try" are as welcoming and familiar as a long-awaited homecoming and the classic shuffle and plucked steel of "All the Money I Had is Gone" induce images of sleepless nights on some unbending road. It is one of those rare songs that gently prods you and whispers: "Pay attention friend, you're hearing something very special."
- Mark Grassick