Wood

After Moxy Fruvous built a Canadian audience with the novelty songs of their debut Bargainville, the fairly subdued and serious Wood came as a bit of a shock. The cover art, featuring a whimsical cartoon that has been replaced with a black-and-white photo of the band standing in the forest, illustrates the transition from quirky humor to earnest songs with a more rural sensibility. But while Wood may not be the best introduction to the "Fruvous sound," it is probably the most enjoyable album for the average music fan. While Wood does feature the four-part harmonies that made their debut so contagious, the songs are deeply influenced by Canadian singer-songwriters such as Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot, and particularly The Band. The latter's influence is particularly present in Wood's eclectic instrumentation, including fiddle, piano, accordion, and banjo. Highlights include the breakup tale "Horseshoes," the nostalgic "On Her Doorstep," and the French love song "Nuits de Reve."