It’s a bit surprising Different Light, the 2007 sophomore release from Sherwood didn’t help make the California band a household name. With their Pet Sounds-era harmonies and a sound the evoked everyone from the Beatles to ELO, the album was pretty damn close pop rock perfection. Their latest, Qu is almost as good. It’s a bit cliché to talk about a maturing sound in record reviews, but it’s true with this outing. The band is certainly feeling more comfortable with their writing and has never sounded tighter. Tracks like “Not Gonna Love†sound better than anything the band has recorded in the past. Here’s hoping QU helps the band reach the larger audience they so clearly deserve.
Rating: 8.4 out of 10
Top track: “Not Gonna Love,†“Around You†and “Maybe This Timeâ€
Sherwood – Qu /CDs/12 tracks/2009/MySpace Records/www.myspace.com/sherwood