Release Date: January 28th, 2013
According to Reuters News and a poll spanning 21 countries, an estimated 12% of global citizens believed the world would end on December 21st. This belief in an imminent end to humanity, however rash or misinterpreted, brought about something our generation had never seen before- the thoughtful exploration of a universal “end”. Such explorations spanned through literature, film and music. Cynical viral videos rampaged; the genuinely concerned quit their jobs to pursue bucket lists. For Brooklyn based indie rockers Widowspeak, these apocalyptic curiosities were of great interest while writing their second album Almanac. Desolate imagery and dark themes leak from almost every track on the album, and as a result Almanac is lonely and distant. Minimal components contribute to a solemn sound with only two current members, guitarist and vocalist Molly Hamilton and guitarist Robert Earl Thomas.
Monogamously linked with Captured Tracks (Beach Fossils, Thieves Like Us) for all releases thus far, Widowspeak’s Almanac dulls in pace compared to their varietal self-titled debut in 2011. It is mellow and relaxing music, but to say that Almanac is much more than a pleasant backdrop to a summer park lay would be an idealist’s stretch. It is music for the slow livin’, the listeners craving uncomplicated elements- a gentle, pretty sound. The lyrics do illuminate some complexity in Widowspeak’s music, albeit hard to accurately make out through Hamilton’s atmospheric, winding voice. “Ballad of the Golden Hour” sings vaguely of a somber end, “He tells the time trailing from my eyes, we can never stay forever, we were destined to grow cold.” They continue in “The Dark Age” with the repeating line, “Keep me here, in the dark with you, keep me here, in the dark with you.” “Storm King” concludes the album with cryptic monotones, a slow minor key and a noticeable lack of rhythm.
Almanac was recorded in a Hudson River Valley barn, a definite factor in the group’s wilderness melody sound. Widowspeak can be praised for their dreamy vibe and subtle technique as well as their deservedly gold combination of distorted guitar riffs and wispy viola vocals. The finished album, however, falls very short of something spectacular. It incites a longing for something, however the lack of specific memories is all too distracting from the group’s humble intentions. The 1960’s-esque pop riff track “Sore Eyes” is pleasant but also a clear example of evoking aimless nostalgia within its listeners. The music fails to enable the emotions we crave to daydream about while listening to a spacey, downtempo indie ballad. Its morose simplicity dulls even the most creatively dark lyrics.
Widowspeak gained popularity in a relatively short amount of time with the 2011 singles “Gun Shy”, “Harsh Realm” (featured in TV series American Horror Story) and an on-point rendition of Chris Issak’s “Wicked Games”. Perhaps a steadier rise in exposure is what a young band needs to discover and explore one unique sound; Widowspeak hasn’t found their thing yet, but they might be meandering there slowly, soft after lonely after simple single again.
Widowspeak – Almanac tracklist:
- “Perennials”
- “Dyed in the Wool”
- “The Dark Age”
- “Thick as Thieves”
- “Almanac”
- “Ballad of the Golden Hour”
- “Devil Knows”
- “Sore Eyes”
- “Locusts”
- “Minnewaska”
- “Spirit is Willing”
- “Storm King”
