2012.09.07 True Widow - I.N.O.

Color: White

Released: 2011, October 4

Label: Kemado / Mexican Summer

A recent acquisition and band newly recommended to me by a good friend in Chicago. I’m hesitant to take new recommendations these days because I feel like I am let down more often than not. The way the band were described to me by this friend, though, made this impossible to pass up. While browsing the racks at the Broadway Reckless in Chicago, I came across this four song EP… and I decided to do something I haven’t done in a while. I bought this record without hearing a lick of their music beforehand. And I’d chalk this up to a worthwhile purchase. Amazing? Not necessarily. Solid? Absolutely. At the cross section of “stoner rock” and “shoegaze” you’ll find True Widow hanging out close by. Slow and heavy. Dreamy and melodic. I’m not real familiar with the band and their other output but this release has definitely made more curious. The only thing that bugs me slightly is the sequencing of the EP. First track “For Grace” is a 3 minute acoustic guitar mediation that might have faired better as a closing to the EP. In it’s lead off position, it kind of kills momentum as it quietly fades out and then the following track fades in just as quietly. The thing really gets going when that first guitar riff of “I.N.O.” kicks in. Aesthetically, there’s some nice touches as well. The full illustration of the whale on the front is revealed when you pull the LP jacket out of the outer sleeve. Then the wax is white with some cool pattern work on one of the labels. Excuse me while I go find out some more about this band.