City of Wood

Wiseman's first solo album post-Blue Rodeo and Edie Brickell finally marries his unusual melodies and quirky lyrical concerns with unexpectedly beautiful results. From the opening Dylan-esque lilt of "White Dress" through the chilling "Song For Amnesty International" to the schizoid title track, Dame Julia Nesbelch's poetic production guides Wiseman's acid-tinged sketchings into stunningly evocative tracks, combining folk, jazz, rock, and blues into a seamless collection. The political attacks are still present ("Have A Nice Day" skewers former Western Canada Concept Party leader Douglas Christie), but the absolute highlight is the unforgettably lyrical "For Joseph K.", a haunting eulogy to a great friend, marked by minimalist guitar picking that renders Wiseman's tristesse genuinely devastating. Encompassing rape, mass murder, third world torture, the rewriting of history, and a helpless world in which one can only struggle to stay afloat, City Of Wood is that rarest of things: an emotional powerhouse that actually conveys the angst, sorrow, and love at war within its artist. Truly remarkable.

“An album for the very avant-garde or those seeking to open their eyes to a lot of things most people remain blind to.”
~Mark Preston, Into the Groove

title song refers to the murder of women in quebec because of men who are nuts.

Written by Bob Wiseman
Produced by Dame Julia Nesbelch
Mastered by John Oswald at Mystery Laboratory

Artwork (painting) by Mendelson Joe