Todd Adelman – ‘Todd Adelman and the Woodsmen’ [Album Review]

Americana artist Todd Adelman releases his album, Todd Adelman and the Woodsmen, featuring a delicious amalgamation of roots rhythms, steel guitar, organ, accordion, and fiddle.

What makes the album work and gives it special character are the musicians: Todd Adelman (guitar), Danny Blume (guitar), Jeff Hill (bass), and John Valesio (drums).

“This Rounds on Me” opens the album with a slow, drifting, bluesy melody riding a gently swaying rhythm. Adelman’s weathered, drawling vocals imbue the lyrics with reflections on real-world relationships.

According to Adelman, “‘This Rounds on Me’ was written on my way home from Kansas City after having spent time with some music buddies and playing some shows.  One of my friends was going through a tough time, which has been a pattern for him over the years.  He has struggled with substance abuse and depression.”

Tinted with suggestions of Tom Petty, “A Little Too Close” rides a measured beat topped by the glowing bray of an organ, as well as brass colors. The song’s motion shambles along, giving the tune a languid movement that reflects the emotional sensation of the lyrics.

“Hot As The Hinges” changes the direction of the album, offering a lively honky-tonk melody, popping percussion, and a sleazy, dive-bar feel that gets listeners tapping their feet and moving their hips.

Talking about the song, Adelman says, “A buddy of mine called me up and told me that he had just been walking down the street with his mother-in-law, who at the time was roughly 90 years old. A beautiful woman walked by, and his mother-in-law turned to him and said, ‘That woman is hot as the hinges hanging on the gates of hell.’”

Todd Adelman, photo by Chase Pierson

On “All the Hippie Bluegrass,” Adelman lampoons certain areas of Colorado, a bastion of upscale hippies. Cleverly funny, the song reveals a genuine affection for bluegrass music. It’s just that sometimes too much of anything can get cloying.

The blues rocker “Mini Bar Blues” rolls out on a driving beat that supports a slickly sensuous melody and affected vocals vaguely reminiscent of Jerry Lee Lewis. The energy of this song pushes ahead with vibrant dynamism.

With Todd Adelman and The Woodsmen, Adelman delivers an emotionally evocative album, one that reminds us of our humanity.

Todd Adelman and The Woodsmen Track Listing:

1. This Rounds On Me
2. Kind of Woman (Who Makes the Morning Look Good)
3. A Little Too Close
4. Ordinary People
5. Hot As The Hinges
6. All The Hippie Bluegrass
7. Lucky So Far
8. Devil Will Not Haunt Me
9. Mini Bar Blues
10. Front Porch Livin’

Run Time: 37:50
Release Date: June 26, 2026
Record Label: VFIB Recordings