Top 20 of 2010 #14: Wovenhand, The Threshingfloor
Rife with gorgeous melodic complexity and a depth of arrangement I’ve not heard matched this year, The Threshingfloor by Colorado doom folk troupe Wovenhand is probably my favorite work by the David Eugene Edwards-fronted outfit since their 2002 self-titled debut. Edwards, who started Wovenhand in the wake of his prior traditionalist ensemble, 16 Horsepower, is among his generation’s most underrated songwriters, and the richness of The Threshingfloor only bears that further out.
This was to be Wovenhand‘s worldliest offering yet, with Turkish instrumentation and the kind of minor key vibes we in the West call “Eastern,” but The Threshingfloor is every bit the piece of Americana anything helmed by Edwards has ever been. Cuts like the depressive “Singing Grass” or the more joyful coming-home ode “Denver City” don’t try to hide their American folk roots, but like the best of modernity, they refine these traditions and expand on them. Edwards‘ arrangements are unmistakable, and on the jamming and heavy “Orchard Gate,” it’s plain to hear he’s at the height of his prowess.
The Threshingfloor has been my go-to nighttime driving album since I bought it back in July, and I think it’s going to be some time yet before I let it leave my trusty CD wallet. Like until the next one comes out. Definitely one of my personal favorites of 2010 and a record that loses none of its potency for repeated exposure. Also, for newcomers to the band, it’s a good place to start.
Tags: Colorado, Sounds Familyre, Top 20 of 2010, Wovenhand
Killer, killer album. It might make my top ten. This was my introduction to this band and I’m glad I listened to the recommendations back on stonerrock.com. What a discovery! I need to do some back tracking with these guys. It is cool they have crossed over to where they were accepted to play the upcoming Roadburn. Although they “seem” sort of indie/acoustic/western/whatever, they possess all the parts that a lot of stoner/doom fans can gravitate/sink their teeth into: riffs, emotive/dark urgency to the singing and cool/diverse songwriting. Overall, a very good time.
Another band that is sort of like this is Spindrift, but they sort of seem a bit less “deep” as far as lyrical content and emotional feeling/singing goes and just flat out jam in an rock instrumental Ennio Morricone western sense.
Awesome, thanks for posting about this, didn’t realize it had come out!