The Wood Brothers Puff Of Smoke
Released Aug 1, 2025 Honey Jar Records
Early read 1 professional review Updated Nov 25, 2025
Broadly positive consensus
Early read based on 1 professional reviews. The Wood Brothers's Puff Of Smoke arrives as a compact, flavorful statement that crystallizes the trio's roots fusion and wry humor, earning strong marks from critics.
How ChoruScore worksCritics' Top Tracks
The songs critics returned to most
Slow Rise (to the middle)
1 critic mention
“turn the bluesy "Slow Rise (to the middle)" into an absolute romp” — Glide Magazine
Witness
1 critic mention
“Trombonist Roy Agee and saxophonist Jeff Coffin pump life into the wry "Witness” — Glide Magazine
Puff of Smoke
1 critic mention
“The group maintains its efficiency on the title song by adding organ from multi-instrumentalist Rix” — Glide Magazine
Full critic consensus
The Wood Brothers's Puff Of Smoke arrives as a compact, flavorful statement that crystallizes the trio's roots fusion and wry humor, earning strong marks from critics. Glide Magazine's review, one of the professional voices aggregated, awards the record an 80/100 and points to concise songwriting and bold instrumental color as the album's chief virtues.
Critics agree that the best songs on Puff Of Smoke pair brief, economical arrangements with unexpected timbral flourishes. “Witness” and “Slow Rise (to the middle)” emerge as standout tracks, the former enlivened by trombone and sax and the latter an absolute romp built around lively horns and propulsive interplay. The title track, “Puff of Smoke”, along with “Money Song” and “Till the End”, benefit from organ and group-vocal touches that underscore the band’s instrumental versatility and restored acerbic humor.
While only one professional review is in the tally, the consensus score of 80/100 across that review signals a well-crafted, tightly focused collection that favors concentration over excess. Reviewers consistently praise the Woods' economy of form and the way short track lengths amplify impact. For listeners wondering whether Puff Of Smoke is worth a spin, the critical consensus suggests a rewarding, well-executed entry in the Wood Brothers' catalog that highlights their strengths in roots fusion, concise songwriting, and tasteful arrangement choices.
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Witness
Puff of Smoke
Pray God Listens
Money Song
The Trick
Is It Up To You
Above All Others
The Waves
Slow Rise (to the middle)
You Choose Me
Till the End
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What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 1 critic who reviewed this album
Critic's Take
In his typically measured, slightly wry voice Doug Collette finds the best songs on Puff Of Smoke to be those that pair compact arrangements with bold instrumental color, notably “Witness” and “Slow Rise (to the middle)”. He highlights how the trio’s blend of folk, blues, gospel and rock is sharpened by tasteful contributions - trombone and sax enliven “Witness” and make “Slow Rise (to the middle)” an absolute romp, while organ and group vocals uplift the title track. Collette praises the Woods’ economy of form, noting the album’s brief duration and concentrated performances as virtues that make the best tracks stand out. The result is a record whose best songs showcase instrumental versatility, vocal blend, and the band’s restored acerbic humor.
Key Points
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The best song moments pair concise songcraft with bold instrumental colors, as on "Slow Rise (to the middle)".
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The album’s core strengths are instrumental versatility, efficient arrangements, and the trio’s blended vocals.