Donovan Woods
The Other Way
Meant Well
Donovan Woods has released an acoustic rework of his album Both Ways β aptly named The Other Way. It adds a fresh take on last yearβs JUNO award-winning release, with every song stripped to its honest and emotional core. While maintaining the character of the original songs, producer Todd Lombardoβs altered chords and arrangements breathe a different life into the tracks. Combined with Woodβs ethereal vocals, the compositions have a modest yet powerful effect.
While Both Ways offered a larger, plugged-in sound, The Other Way returns to an intimate singer/songwriter interpretation. The music serves as an open love letter which invites the listener into soulful tales and confessions.
The first track βGood Loverβ is a reflective piece, suggesting coming to terms with a past love. The elaborate yet gentle guitar melodies in βAnother Wayβ and βBurn That Bridgeβ serve as an effective focal point to the tracks.
An illustrated video for βTruck Full Of Moneyβ was released with the album announce in April. The acoustic treatment of this song has a chilling emotional pull.
βI Aint Ever Loved No Oneβ is a sweet ballad featuring Nashville songstress Tenille Townes. The duoβs voices pair seamlessly with one another, narrating a pained love story.
The tempo picks up with βI Live a Little Lieβ and βEasy Streetβ with earnest strumming and projected vocals. Woodsβ lamenting words of heartbreak in βGreat Escapeβ reverberate in sync with hallow guitar chords. The album concludes with βNext Yearβ, that tells the all-too-familiar tale of putting off plans and letting life pass by.
Rather than building on Both Ways, The Other Way is a perfect paralleled rendition to the original release. The acoustic structure provides a new backdrop for the familiar love melodies and allow Woodsβ voice to command the spotlight. A powerful yet minimal album full of integrity and beautiful words.
ArtistΒ Links
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: DONOVAN WOODS – THE OTHER WAY
Nicole Swanson