The thing that really hit me about Getting Past the Static is that you -- the listener -- get the feeling of being right there. These aren't intricate songs; they're just Wood's voice and acoustic guitar, augmented by minimal percussion from labelmate Danny Frankel, as well as occasional violin and mandolin work from Petra Haden. But the guitar, and Wood's voice, is front and center -- and they're as rich and engaging a combination as an orchestra. Wood's vocals are husky and assured yet intimate and confessional; she lends a calm confidence to songs like "Caught Halo", or a powerful choral energy to "Three Thorns Torn". And of course, it helps that these aren't whiny, "I Been Done Wrong" lyrics, but pages from the life of a young woman who knows her demons and is dealing with them. She's no slouch as a musician, either, penning the sort of deep, evocative guitar melodies that often strain against the bounds of more complex songs. Check out "Invitation to Plastic", "Bend" or "Bullet Box" if you don't believe me, and then listen to "Ocean", which gives Petra Haden's violin a chance to shine. The only danger, as you might expect, is that with such a modest arsenal of instruments, things start to sound a bit similar after a while...but I bet Wood could do wonders with a full band of equally capable musicians. I envy Jen Wood -- she's in her early twenties, and with a sound that mixes her own unique approach with the best elements of Liz Phair and Sarah McLachlan, she's assured of a long and celebrated career.
Jen Wood Getting Past the Static WIN CD
			Review by George Zahora

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