Southern Ground

For their fourth album, The Wood Brothers switched over to Zac Brown’s Southern Ground label and brought Jim Scott (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Wilco) onboard to produce. Smoke Ring Halo provides folksy, tender ballads and simplistic yet impactful songwriting. The duo plays the songs in a rugged style that is full of feeling as they pluck at those strings and tap out percussion on their wooden instruments in a very visceral manner. Standout “Blue and Green” continues the theme of soft, reflective tunes with thoughtful lyrics about mom and dad. Songs like the title track as well as “When I Was Young,” “Stumbled In” and “Pay Attention” also place emphasis on their honest phrasing and dejected yet hopeful lyrics. It’s a stripped-down and homegrown album that combines jazz, blues and folk. The Wood Brothers once again use old school tendencies to create a soulful sound.