West (2011)

“How important is the idea of the song to Wooden Shjips? Not at all, judging from the last track on their third album. Initially, it seems “Rising” is just more fuzzed guitars and narcotised vocals. Then it becomes apparent the percussion is backward: neat trick. Oh, and the voice is backward. In fact, “Rising” appears to be a whole song with the tape played in reverse. Nevertheless, there's a pleasing vigour to these psychedelic journeys: “Lazy Bones” and “Looking Out” marry the propulsion of garage-band R&B to trebly, brittle, acid-fried psychedelic guitar, and Ripley Johnson's lead lines are unfailingly inventive, making the songs take flight. It's the unrelenting power of the two-chord drones, though, that is the real draw here, bass and drums throbbing hard enough to add a real heartbeat to songs that might otherwise seem insubstantial enough to melt away. It's enervating, sunbaked and, for all that, rather thrilling.” (The Guardian)