Of all of the albums I've reviewed this year this one is definitely my favorite. A marked departure from their former bash/pop approach, Wood Water finds the former Emo poster-boys sprawling all the way across the ever expanding landscape of indie music. Though this all-out change of style will probably disappoint some of their old fans, Wood Water finds The Ring returning to the style they experimented with on their wonderful EP Boys and Girls. A common thread of sweet melancholy connects these songs that resonate with the same kind of vibe as Neil Young's After The Gold Rush, with hints of Pink Floyd, Flaming Lips and Coldplay. There's really not a toe-tapper or even a song you could dance to, but it should be noted that much of it chronicles Davey Von Bohlen's brush with death after the removal of a large brain tumor. What it lacks in horsepower it more than makes up for with grace and winning melodies and the fourth track with it's haunting chorus of "I'm just happy you stuck around," is far and away the most affecting song of the year. Mellow and magnificent with the power to bring people together. I promise.