RADAR: The Wooden Sky

Toronto's countrified folk/rockers The Wooden Sky have honed their own particular rootsy style -- let's call it "North Americana" -- over the course of two full-length albums and a pair of EP's, including last fall's five-track City of Light. Forthcoming album, the wonderfully titled Every Child a Daughter, Every Moon a Sun (February 28 Canada, Black Box), follows up 2009's well-received If I Don't Come Back You'll Know I'm Gone. "Everyone had their eyes and ears open searching for new textures to play with," observes frontman Gavin Gardiner. "What began as a simple collection of nine songs quickly ballooned into an 18-song opus; 13 songs ended up making the record. It did come dangerously close to being a double album." Lead track "Child of the Valley" raises the anticipation factor mightily, a beautifully nuanced production that morphs from pulsing folk hymn to twanging rocker, southern-fried dual guitars lines lighting the way.

The Wooden Sky - "Child of the Valley" (from Every Child a Daughter, Every Moon a Sun)

The Wooden Sky - "Angelina" (from City of Light)