This EP was originally released in the summer of last year and I've not been able to find a reason why  its been put forward for review at this time as there seems to be a little bit of confusion over whether the band are actually still a going concern. Their MySpace announces that their last gig will be March 1^st but their weblog advises that as recently as 10^th February they were seeking new rehearsal rooms and considering a change of name, intriguing stuff. 

Their promo blurb announces that they have influences that include Bob Dylan, Neil Young and The Jesus And Mary Chain, one thing not mentioned anywhere is that they are clearly fans of the first three White Stripes albums as well! But even with this omission that's still quite a diverse background to cite, so with interest suitably piqued, onto the music maestro please! 

Opener “She Was Always Cool” gives us a Coral-esque handclapping up-tempo skiffle  verse married to a sparser chorus, then we get some extra instruments to lead us out of the tune, definitely some trumpet but I'm sure I heard a didgeridoo in there as well!   

The reverbed guitar in the intro to “Distilled” echoes the Coral again, a slower tune built on a lilting drum beat and sparse bass riff  with slashing guitar to great effect.  “In A While” starts off with a spoken Jack White-like vocal over just drums and keyboards it slowly builds in instrumentation but always maintains a loose feel.  

The EP closes out with “I'm Gonna Shake Your Treehouse Down” which is where the Jesus And Mary Chain influences can be found. The intro and verses coming on like the Reid brothers circa “Some Candy Talking” and “April Skies” but it adds an up-tempo twist to the latter parts to give a more individual overall effect. 

Its clear from this review that to a greater or a lesser extent on these tracks at least Low Sparks stay close to their stated influences. They do have something unique to add to these however and if reports of their demise are true I for one will be disappointed.

Let us know your views on 'Out Here In The Woods'

Track Listing

She Was Always Cool
Distilled
In A While
I'm Gonna Shake Your Treehouse Down

Line Up

Nick – Guitars/Keys/Vocals
Matt – Drums
James – Vocals/Guitar
Andy – Bass