Puff Of Smoke (CD)

Listening, in its truest sense, is a dying art, but it’s one The Wood Brothers are committed to practicing and upholding as a virtue. In fact, it’s the secret to the mélange of joyful sounds and musical styles on “Puff of Smoke,” the American roots trio’s ninth album of original music. Indeed, through the near two decades spent together in the studio and on the road, the Grammy Award-nominated trio have honed their interconnected, singular voice to telepathic proportions. On this latest studio effort, a true collaborative effort between its three members, the songs weave a medley of musical ideas — ranging from Latin-inflected acoustic guitar lines, to driving post-jazz rhythms, to infectious sing along choruses — resulting in a cohesive, joyful whole. All with The Wood Brothers’ trademark turns of phrase and lighthearted, but subversively profound wisdom at the core. “Puff of Smoke” is a reminder that life is both precious and precarious, and The Wood Brothers invite you to enjoy the ride.