Young Widows

Young Widows

Old Wounds

[4.5/5]

Who could have guessed that such an artistic rock machine lurked in the shadows of the now defunct Breather Resist? Young Widows, three-fourths of the aforementioned Louisville, Kentucky, hardcore band, have established themselves as the true heirs to the Jesus Lizard’s throne over the course of only two albums. Tight rhythms hide under deceptively sloppy guitars and ambling bass, all barreling along in disparate, complex time signatures. The guitar sounds on this loping, dynamic album (one minute discordant, the next jangling and drenched in reverb) can be traced to the band’s hometown as well as Washington, D.C., and Chicago. Young Widows have left no artistic stone unturned on Old Wounds, borrowing a little from Fugazi here, a little Shellac there, and always strong doses of Regulator Watts. Recorded both live and in the studio by Converge’s Kurt Ballou, Old Wounds is art rock reborn. (TEMPORARY RESIDENCE LTD.) Oakland L. Childers

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