Interestingly enough the very first time I got to hear Wovenhand front-man David Eugene Edwards previous band, 16 Horsepower was actually in Denver, Colorado where the band came from. I used to live close to there. Attending school, shredding the local powdered mountains on my board and perusing the record shops.
A local Denver native introduced me to the genius of Edwards back in 2002. As we drove the dark streets of Denver in my friends Tracker, Edwards’ haunting voice was the perfect backdrop. It became all the more surreal as my friend stopped to give a homeless lady a ride to a destination that would have taken hours for her to walk on those lonely streets. Edwards’ music does not simply entertain, it inspires. On that night his music left an impact on me that I would never forget. It was organic, just like his music.
This of course is a review on Wovenhand, but I feel this personal history is relevant given that we the music fans can still enjoy new music from one of America’s most gifted alternative artists. Despite what name it comes under.
Throughout Edwards’ multiple decade spanning career, some have labeled him a Christian artist. Despite whatever label one may pin (frankly who cares). Wovenhand’s seventh album, Refractory Obdurate is released on Deathwish Inc., co-founded by the legendary Converge front-man Jacob Bannon, the diversity of acts this label looks after is unique. Releasing material from punk band Integrity and the ever rising post-hardcore powerhouse Touché Amoré. As Deathwish now handles the “Christian” alt-folk giant that is Wovenhand, this is a testament to David Eugene Edwards’ music quality superseding any religious affiliation. Now at 46 years old, he may finally be seeing some of those chains breaking as they should be.
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Wovenhand began as Edwards’ side project to 16 Horsepower in 2001. They have released 7 recordings now since 2002, Refractory Obdurate being the newest. Their newest is definitely apocalyptic in biblical imagery and in tone, but once you hear it…well you will see.
Track one “Corsicana Clip” has a riff and beat that sets the tone for the haunting, brooding, emotional ride that is about to come in waves of goth-laden country and a radio distorted voice. There is so much going on in this simple song, and halfway through it becomes a rock tornado that echoes through your soul and pounds in your heart. Pleasure and aggression, melancholy, and joy all at once. I hate to compare, but for this one song imagine if Radiohead hooked up with a raging Pink Floyd and made a song for straight up country-rock fans.
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“Masonic Youth” starts off with a tribal type beat and beautiful layered guitars. His voice cuts through with lyrics that are pointed and aggressive. This song changes enough in its length that we are on a journey of soul rock to punk rock.The banjo(?) chords that start off “The Refractory” haunt and call out to the soul. Paired with some guitar tones that lift the spirit you will have a fist pumping and a tear streaming down your face in tandem. Edwards’ has a seasoned blues rock quality to his voice of many abilities, and in this track he really lets out the emotion. This is perhaps one of the best and strongest songs on the album so far as it showcases Wovenhand’s ability to effortlessly layer a song with sheer beauty using the basic tools, guitars bass and drums. Perhaps there is much more added into it but its hard to focus because I am lost in the song.
“The Good Shephard” moves in a faster direction and immediately conjures up the spirit of American rock – Joe Walsh comes to mind – but no one does it like Wovenhand. This one truly gets the blood flowing and the bravados in Edwards’ singing is perfectly placed within the chorus. This is a head bopper yet also dark and intimate. Like something out of a horror comedy starring ’70’s hip rockers.
So far this is a ‘hear it to believe it’ type of record, and when “Salome” begins it is now very apparent that the diversity alone should help this record garner deserved attention. Even though I can’t seem to find Wovenhand on the old Twitter…hmmm.
On “King David” the band softly explodes into the song with guitars. It is somber with a slight build. Strong imagery in the lyrics, humanizing the character and bringing to light the connection he feels with him. This is definitely a song I would want to walk out to if I was a western cowboy about to face off in a draw. As I quickly pull out that Colt .45, aim and shoot I would have the advantage as the music moves me. *blows smoke from barrel, holsters revolver*
“Field of Hedon” lets us feel the punk rock influence (or influencer) that Wovenhand possesses in a very dynamic way. Faster and choppier it drives and reaches a destination. It is also simply a heavier rock song that has a huge sound. Seeing them play this one live would truly be worth any ticket price!
“Obdurate Obscura” and “Hiss” are good tracks respectively; haunting and full of interesting melody and instrumentation. The last track “El-Bow” ends this journey with a dark shaking beat and drones from his voice, echoing through as the guitars build up. The drums begin to thunder and the rain of layered noise comes to a sort of abrupt end and it is finished.
I will not spend time comparing this newest release to previous Wovenhand records because with music of this quality they each stand alone. Refractory Obdurate is definitely different and unique, but with Edwards’ monolithic musical catalogue, it gets almost too complex to pigeonhole. So why try, really?
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I truly enjoy pretty much everything released by David Eugene Edwards, 16 Horsepower or Wovenhand. He is a modern poet who happens to be a great musician and blesses the masses with unique material. If you ever happen to visit Denver and are a fan of Edwards’ mysterious tunes, blare “The Refractory” and take a ride on those dark streets! You’ll find something…
Rating: 4/5