Young Widows are the outcome of the imploding break up of Kentucky’s Breather Resist. Following singer, Steve Sindoni’s departure from the band in December 2005, the rest of the band decided to continue to work together but chose not to play any of their back catalogue, and instead formed Young Widows to continue their foray into their musical journey. Having gone into the recording studio in April this year, the remaining members of Breather Resist were going to release the new album under their old moniker but found that their new sound differed so much from the old band that they decided it was time to change names and move on.
Having changed direction musically and having lost their singer, the band have created an album full of post punk angst and reverb drenched inspiration. The vocals are loud and brash, now mainly from guitarist Evan Patterson with occasional contributions from bassist Nick Thieneman. The line up is completed by drummer, Geoff Paton. The band’s style is not for me, I like a singer to actually be able to sing and not just shout at me. This is an angry and dark, brooding mix of music and raw vocals. Although this sound will surprise few fans of Breather Resist.
The band are heavily influenced by Jesus Lizard, and this is not hidden on the album, especially in the song, “Glad He Ate Her”. The album’s anger on tracks like Bruised Knees is both loud and harsh. This is not an album that has been over mixed or produced and leaves the listener assaulted by it’s furious guitars, incensed vocals and brutal songs.
This is a new sound and new direction for the remaining trio but is not a sound that we haven’t all heard before when angry young men pick up a guitar and want to scream their problems away. Their literature boasts that any comparisons of other bands are for reference only as this is a new band, a new sound, a new idea. Sadly though, the huge boast is not backed up by the album that they have produced. This is not innovative or anything that has not been done countless times before.
If you want to find out more about the band, they have the usual MySpace page at
www.myspace.com/youngwidows or
www.youngwidows.com
Settle Down City is due for release in the UK on 18 September through Jade Tree.
