Almanac

by Widowspeak

Overview

Instead of trying to recreate previous highs like "Harsh Realm," Widowspeak take the spooky allure of their debut album in a more traditional direction on Almanac. With a fuller, more polished sound courtesy of producer Kevin McMahon, Molly Hamilton and Robert Earl Thomas go beyond the Hope Sandoval and Mazzy Star influences of Widowspeak and instead draw inspiration from one of rock's original dark princesses, Stevie Nicks. There's a strong Fleetwood Mac influence throughout, whether it's the soft drama of "Dyed in the Wool," a song whose gauzy prettiness evokes Nicks' chiffon getups, or the steely guitar licks on "The Dark Age." The band embraces its classic rock leanings most winningly on "Ballad of the Golden Hour," a lament about the fleetingness of everything that finds Hamilton's whispers at their most urgent, a feeling echoed in the song's surprising, arena-size coda. Later, on "Sore Eyes," Hamilton sings "ashes to ashes to ashes," and while it's not entirely clear whether she dreads or accepts the end of things, she makes it sound entrancing. From its dreamy '70s-tinged album artwork on down, a smoky haze drifts over most of Almanac, particularly on "Thick as Thieves," which plays like a cross between an ancient sea shanty and West Coast hippie jazz. This misty quality serves most of the album well, particularly on "Storm King," which expands on the spare beauty of Widowspeak, and the nostalgic pop of "Spirit Is Willing." However, when Hamilton and Thomas venture into the mantra-rock of "Locusts" or the strutting "Devil Knows," it's hard not to want more bite from their sound. Still, Almanac proves that Widowspeak can embrace more traditional sounds without feeling stuffy, as well as make music that's much more eclectic than might have been expected. ~ Heather Phares

Product Details

Release Date:	01/22/2013
Label:	Captured Tracks
UPC:	0817949017019
Rank:	72956

Tracks

1. Perennials
2. Dyed in the Wool
3. The Dark Age
4. Thick as Thieves
5. Almanac
6. Ballad of the Golden Hour
7. Devil Knows
8. Sore Eyes
9. Locusts
10. Minnewaska
11. Spirit Is Willing
12. Storm King

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Widowspeak   Primary Artist
Kyle Clairmont Jacques   Percussion
Molly Hamilton   Guitar,Vocals,Autoharp
Willy Muse   Bass,Vocals (Background)
Robert Earl Thomas   Bass,Guitar,Harmonium,Keyboards

Technical Credits

Kevin McMahon   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Josh Bonati   Mastering
Widowspeak   Composer
Andrew Smith   Photography
Molly Hamilton   Group Member
Robert Earl Thomas   Producer,Group Member