The Deep Dark Woods – The Lexington, London, 21/02/12

“We’re the Deep Dark Woods from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan” growls singer/ guitarist Ryan Boldt through his – newly trimmed but impressive – beard at the beginning of the show – and that’s about as far as he goes all night.

In talking, that is. This is a band that lets the music say it for them, living up to the image of the silent and wronged heroes at odds with the world that form the poetry of their songs. Their songs are melancholy – telling stories of alone-ness and tragedy, with driving roots rhythm and twang, extended improvisation between guitars and keyboards, a soudscape that reflects the wide open wind swept skies of their home province.

Having just released their fourth album The Place I Left Behind, the band’s recordings have mellowed, emphasising less the exuberant thrash and twang of their self titled debut and concentrating on the more reflective and story telling side of their art.

Tonight there’s plenty of stories – of Canadian troops far from home in ‘The Leopold Canal’, of despair in ‘All the Money I Had Is Gone’, and the traditional ‘Peggy-O’ – a Civil War tale of loss. In this mellow mode the ethereal tenor harmonies of bassist Chris Mason and drummer Lucas Goetz combine perfectly with Boldt’s prairie growl and Geof Hilhorst’s spooky organ to make the perfect soundscape for these haunting tales.

Elsewhere though, they unleash a dark, tight but thrashing side that goes back to their roots. Looking like a cool exile from the Byrds, guitarist Burke Barlow adds grit to songs like ‘Hang Me O Hang Me’ (the title track of their second album) or ‘Two Time Loser’ (from third album Winter Hours) and exchanges lengthy improvisation with Boldt, the two alternating between rhythm and lead, as the band let rip.

Songs like ‘Sugar Moma’ and ‘Glory Hallelujah’ show them in a mode of pure joy and energy – with superb individual musicianship and a balance and understanding between the band. All in all it’s an exuberant concert of varied moods, and an overall authentic roots and roll/ alt country tone, a night to wear your beard and plaid big, and let the music take you through moods of extreme sadness, joy and loneliness.

‘The Deep Dark Woods from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan”. Maybe that does say it all. Or add ‘Awesome’ – then you have it.