Middle Of Tomorrow
Clearly, 2025
9/10
The North Carolina quartet Knotted Wood make an impression with this debut album, where themes like life, death, love, and dedication surround songs that will appeal to fans of Tom Petty, Dave Mason, and The Beatles.
The flowing spirit of the melodic “You Are Here” starts with Patrick McDaid’s expressive pipes alongside John Alec Ferrell’s playful bass lines, and “Every Road” follows with quick keys from Mighty Melissa Burriss, as Eric Willhelm’s skilled drums suit the rich delivery.
“Walk Beside Me” occupies the middle spot and welcomes strings and heartfelt singing in an intimate climate, while “Stand Still” is an energetic and frisky moment that benefits from Dave Hollinghurst’s animated guitar amid the frisky rhythm section.
Closer to the end, “Far Side Of Midnight” comes with a haunting quality that’s subdued, and the title track exits with a layered, hazy quality that quickly escalates into a lively rocker.
The frontman, McDaid, has been recording music in his home studio for decades, and the musicians holds impressive resumes in bands like The Holy Ghost, The Spongetones, and Live Skull. Together, they combine classic and indie-rock nods for a fantastic first LP.
Travels well with: Applesauce Tears- Balcony Confidential; Kevin Koplar- To A Better Dark