Albums to watch

Almanac

Widowspeak

Almanac

Second album of melancholic psych & Americana-infused indie rock from the Brooklyn band fronted by singer Molly Hamilton, now fleshed out to a quartet

ADM rating[?]

7.2

Label
Captured Tracks
UK Release date
28/01/2013
US Release date
22/01/2013
  1. 9.0 |   Bowlegs

    The confidence in Hamilton’s voice burns hot enough to weld traditional Americana, psych and shoegaze into a beautiful monster
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  2. 8.4 |   Paste Magazine

    Strikes as a true original, as a natural evolution from the band’s original concept
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  3. 8.3 |   Pretty Much Amazing

    What’s most compelling about this listening experience are the webs of melancholy spun by Hamilton’s haunting voice, especially striking when paired with sunny reverb and acoustic hooks
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  4. 8.0 |   PopMatters

    A rustic and sparse mood pervades most of the record, despite the complex interplay of instruments and a sound that seems too big to have been created by a two-member band
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  5. 8.0 |   All Music

    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
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  6. 8.0 |   The 405

    A gorgeous record
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  7. 8.0 |   The Fly

    Molly Hamilton’s voice could break your heart into smithereens and Robert Earl Thomas’ dextrous guitars explore texture and density bravely
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  8. 8.0 |   DIY

    Seemingly indebted to many, this is a band equipped with new-found confidence, poise and an incredibly impressive sophomore effort
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  9. 8.0 |   Sputnik Music (staff)

    Widowspeak’s greatest accomplishment is maintaining that same sense of simmering, uncertain wonder over the course of one wonderfully blurry album
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  10. 7.5 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    If you’re willing to spend some time in Widowspeak’s headspace, chances are you’ll find yourself wanting to roam Almanac’s enchantingly surreal landscapes a little longer each time you visit
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  11. 7.3 |   Pitchfork

    Widowspeak is moving forward in its evolution as a band with promising conviction, but at this point they're exploring a lot of different paths
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  12. 7.0 |   Rolling Stone

    The band’s neurotically smoldering dream pop plays it cute and creepy
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  13. 7.0 |   Drowned In Sound

    Widowspeak are indebted to the spacey country rock that is often termed Americana, and this more expansive, outdoorsy atmosphere is probably what best sets them apart from the likes of Beach House or Melody’s Echo Chamber
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  14. 7.0 |   NME

    Sounds sonically richer than their eponymous debut
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  15. 7.0 |   musicOMH

    In ramping up their scope – a laudable and understandable idea really for a second LP – Widowspeak instead often lose sight of their strengths
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  16. 7.0 |   Blurt

    Most of Almanac is able to bring a love of the past into the right now and (usually) make it seem effortles
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  17. 6.5 |   BBC

    Pretty though it certainly is, Almanac never truly transcends its set of influences
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  18. 6.5 |   Prefix

    The production is not the culprit here. Rather, the band seems to be stuck on the edge of their unique past endeavors and what comes next
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  19. 6.0 |   Q

    When they're aiming true, Widowspeak strike gold. Print edition only

  20. 6.0 |   Consequence Of Sound

    A record that satisfies with each homage
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  21. 6.0 |   No Ripcord

    A fresh take on Americana
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  22. 6.0 |   Uncut

    Feels just a little insubstantial. Print edition only

  23. 5.7 |   Beats Per Minute

    Almanac’s most fatal flaw is the amount of time and attention it demands of the listener in return for its misty wares
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Widowspeak: Almanac

  • Download full album for just £7.49
  • 1. Perennials £0.99
  • 2. Dyed in the Wool £0.99
  • 3. The Dark Age £0.99
  • 4. Thick As Thieves £0.99
  • 5. Almanac £0.99
  • 6. Ballad of the Golden Hour £0.99
  • 7. Devil Knows £0.99
  • 8. Sore Eyes £0.99
  • 9. Locusts £0.99
  • 10. Minnewaska £0.99
  • 11. Spirit Is Willing £0.99
  • 12. Storm King £0.99
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