Wilder Woods – Curioso
Self-described creator of “American music,” Wilder Woods (Bear Rinehart of NEEDTOBREATHE), captures and personifies the rugged and restless American heart in his newest album Curioso. The title – notably the Spanish word for curious – was inspired by Rinehart’s childhood infatuation with his grandmother’s curio cabinet – a mixed array of knickknacks with seemingly no pattern, common denominator, or meaning to anybody. Yet the collection did – of course – mean something to her, personally and profoundly.
Seeking to make an album that was equally as personal and experience-curated – without regard for mainstream appeal or industry opinion – Rinehart successfully delivers more of his authentic, exploratory sound on Curioso. The American ethos is palpable in this record: with expansion and growth, a flair for the dramatic, an abundant yearning for daring adventure, and self-discovery through action and creation. America gives meaning to our past by coursing magnificently into the future; Rinehart does the same.
The opening track: “Swimming In The Ocean” feels more like the desire-fueled anticipation of sprinting toward the coast than a simple splash in the water. Like driving down the mountains of California’s Tioga Pass, each cymbal crash acts as a windswept flashback, to a simultaneous feeling of creating memories and looking forward to making new ones.
Wilder Woods is able to weave masterfully from that wistful U2 and Springsteen sentiment to bass-y funk on “Time On My Hands,” a side-swaying Bonnaroo singalong featuring Jim James (My Morning Jacket) on guest vocals.
The standout track is certainly “The Offering,” an ethereal breath of fresh-air folk with Anna Graves on guest vocal duet. There you sit in perfect tranquility, surrounded by campfire, endless wood, good company, and voices echoing to the heights of tall trees.
“Where Do We Go From Here” could be on OneRepublic’s Waking Up, or one of Kanye West and Bon Iver’s collaborative tracks on Yeezus, with the thundering, clear vocals of Zac Brown or Teddy Swims.
If you’re interested in your adventures and self-exploration, Curioso will inspire you to begin such journeys – listen ASAP, out everywhere now!
Find more details and information here on the band website: https://www.iamwilderwoods.com
Enjoy our interview with Bear here: Interview: Bear Rinehart of Wilder Woods & Needtobreathe
Musicians on the album are William Rinehart on lead vocals, piano and guitar; Tyler Burkum on guitar, background vocals and bass; Jeremy Lutito on drums, organ, Therevox, Mellotron, piano, keys, synths and percussion; Sam Westhoff on background vocals; Jim James on vocals; Anna Graves on vocals; Tony Lucido on bass; Jake Bots on saxophone; Maureen Murphy on background vocals; and Maggie Rose on vocals.
Curioso was produced and mixed by Jeremy Lutito in Nashville, engineered by Reid Leslie and Jeremy Lutito, and mastered by Joe LaPorta at Sterling Sound.