Today, I listened for the first time to the debut album “Middle of Tomorrow” by the band Knotted Wood, and I must honestly admit: it’s something special! The melodies, the rhythm, the vocal parts – all sound like memories, but turned into music. Sometimes music comes not with a shout, but with a quiet revelation. And “Middle of Tomorrow” is just such a case: it’s like a diary that has been kept for 72 years and made public in ten concise, yet captivating tracks. It’s not a flash, not a flashy carnival, but a thoughtful, mature musical statement, crafted with love, patience, and incredible attention to detail.
At the helm of the project is Patrick McDaid, the singer, lyricist, and, perhaps, the soul of this album. “This album is a reflection of dreams – both the literal and the ones I’ve carried with me my whole life. My music is about seeing the world through symbols and stories, and understanding how those visions connect us all. It’s personal, yes, but also universal. “Middle of Tomorrow” features songs drawn from the fabric of my experiences,” shares Patrick. “Middle of Tomorrow” was born slowly, like a tree sending out roots. At first, he recorded fragments in an improvised home studio in the attic. Throughout this time, his wife Terr – his muse – was by his side.
Then John Alec Ferrell (bass, guitar, and string arrangements), a young but old-souled bluesman and family friend, joined him. Together, they began assembling the album like a family photo album: carefully and meticulously. They invited friends: dAve Hollinghurst (guitars and production work), Eric Willhelm (drums, percussion, and backing vocals), and even their neighbor Melissa Buriss (piano and keyboards), the “Mighty” Melissa, as everyone calls her. And each of their parts is a voice in the shared story. The main recording took place at the Fidelitorium studio, where, by the way, R.E.M. also recorded – Patrick was glowing like a young boy. The rest was finished in New York. The album turned out just as it should be: alive, sincere, sometimes rough around the edges, but all the more endearing for it. Patrick McDaid captured his life in this album, with all its joy, losses, and love.
I now offer you the opportunity to get closer to this album and the band. Let’s start with the first track, “You Are Here” is a very personal song for Patrick, as in it he shares his belief that those who are no longer with us still remain in our memories, in our hearts, in every moment when we think of them. This warm feeling of closeness also lingers in the track “Every Road” – it’s about something familiar to everyone: no matter where life takes you, there is always a pull back home, to your loved ones and familiar walls. The meditative guitar riff evokes the sound of footsteps, and Patrick’s voice sounds warm and slightly weary – like someone who has been through a lot, but still believes that the road will lead to where they are awaited. The songs on the album are full of imagery and energy, and in this context, I want to highlight the tracks “Mystic Eyes,” “Charleston in the Spring,” and “Walk Beside Me”-their sound carries a soft nostalgia, and the melodic smoothness emphasizes the atmosphere created by the lyrics. The songs come alive, transforming into living pictures, full of warmth and memories.
The themes of memory, love, and connection across time run throughout the entire album and find a tender embodiment in the track “Stand Still.” It’s about how Patrick met his wife Terry, with whom he has been together for over 40 years. Musically, the song is as warm and unhurried as the story itself – a soft guitar part and a gentle rhythm create a sense of peace, and the vocals sound somehow special: slightly rough, with a warmth that comes with age. In the second half of the album, Knotted Wood continues to maintain the same warm, slightly old-school atmosphere, but with a slight leaning toward folk and cinematic moods. “Just in Time” is a true cowboy story: the rhythm is lively, with the characteristic “wobbling” delivery, and the vocalist’s voice takes on a rasp and determination. But the song “Leaves” offers a respite. Soft, serene, like a cool breeze in early autumn. “Far Side of Midnight” sounds like a scene from a Western film – its guitar swells are delicate, ringing, with a touch of dreamlike sadness in the vocals.The title track “Middle of Tomorrow” closes the album. The measured guitar solos, delicate acoustic parts, and honest, unpretentious vocals from Patrick all sound calm and dignified.
The album “Middle of Tomorrow” by Knotted Wood is a bright and mature debut that will touch both those who are still searching for themselves and those who have already experienced a lot. Patrick McDaid and his band Knotted Wood have convincingly proven that stories continue as long as there is someone to sing them. It is hard to overestimate the courage of such a release: in the era of fast music and TikTok hits, Knotted Wood releases an album that doesn’t demand, but rather invites you to slow down, listen, and remember.” Middle of Tomorrow” is a silence filled with meaning. And if you have the patience to listen to this silence, it will open up like a true revelation.
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