Album Review: Alex Wood, Woody

Alex Wood’s cheekily named sophomore album, Woody, is perhaps this comedian’s most vulnerable and revealing work to date. Tackling his sobriety with a sincerity of fault, Wood’s dialectical exploration of his journey brings the listener unapologetically into his twisted world, with plenty of laughs along the way.

The creator of the podcast How Alex Wood Quit Everything, and the autobiographical book Float Like a Butterfly, Drink Mint Tea, it’s no surprise that this Toronto-based comedian finds himself perfectly at home in this subject matter.

While themed around sobriety and recovery, Wood relates his struggle to the relatable topics of dating, religion, and family. Wood entangles his recovery story with heartfelt admissions and abstract observations to make his experience truly relatable. All while coming to terms with the most difficult part of recovery: that when you no longer have any vices to blame your behaviour on, maybe you’re just kind of a shitty person; and maybe that’s okay.

This is the appeal of Alex Wood, accomplished comedian, writer, and podcaster. The subject matter is pretty dark, but it never really feels heavy.  Listening to Woody feels like hearing from an old friend you had lost touch with along the way, and you’re glad to know that they’re doing alright.

Woody was released October 28, 2021.
Listen to it here.