Reviewed by Ian Phillips.
Self-titled, Atlantic Records 2019.
Wilder Woods a.k.a. Bear Rinehart (the front man and co-founder of NEEDTOBREATHE) has released his eagerly anticipated debut solo album.
Rinehart has already achieved considerable success with NEEDTOBREATHE receiving a Grammy Award nomination, but he is gaining incredible media attention from a broad cross-section of the music press for this solo project.
The album title and project name, Wilder Woods, is named after his two sons, Wilder and Woods.
It was recorded in Nashville and produced by Gabe Simon who has produced Dua Lipa and Gin Wigmore among others.
Rinehart and Simon have employed the services of a top-notch group of Nashville based co-writers and supporting musicians including The Watson Twins, Jesse Baylin, Trent Dabbs, Carson Cooley, Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves, Maren Morris and more.
I like the album with its mix of laid-back gospel, soul, R&B, and pop.
It is mostly gentle, thoughtful and reflective rather than loud and confrontational.
As good as the album is/ I’m not sure it is quite as outstanding as some of the publicity material would suggest. I don’t see it breaking new ground.
Earmilk raved that: “It’s a bold project committed to building a brand new sound from the ground up.”
Popdust commented that: “Wilder Woods vocals are jaw-dropping. He effortlessly skates across scales, evoking goosebumps through his growling belts and falsetto.”
I would say the album evokes an earlier time when soul singers carried soaring melodies with ease because they were masters of their craft and there is no doubt that Bear Rinehart has a lovely voice.
There’s not much of the James Brown gospel growl that I could discern.
I don’t know Rinehart’s stuff with NEEDTOBREATHE well enough to compare this new material to it other than to say that this album is definitely more soulful and less folky so maybe the critics have picked up on this change in direction.
