A conversational review of Widows Gold new record “Love Drops”

What I like about writing album reviews is the introduction to new music. Discovering new bands and artists I’d never heard of prior to their album landing on my desk. Now, to be honest, I often wish I hadn’t learned of a new artist. Often this introduction just makes me lament the state of modern music. But every so often, a band and an album come into view and you’re glad for it. A fresh wind sweeps in, to blow the stagnant air away.

Well, the classic music reviewer trope is that of a person sitting in a small apartment with stacks of vinyl records, CDs, and cassettes strewn across the room. A typewriter or computer with a half-finished article in front of them, as a half-smoked cigarette balances on a nearby ashtray. Some music posters on a wall, and books about, or written by, musicians stacked on every shelf, and every table. The unkempt hair, the band t-shirt, the empty fridge except for an expired carton of milk, and what’s left of last night’s take-out. And with this visual, which you can probably smell through your screen, comes an air of superiority. A comical, nose-in-the-air attitude toward all those who haven’t heard of whatever obscure band the reviewer can think of. 

But, really, at its heart, reviewing an album or band is just one step removed from talking to a friend about what you’re listening to these days. Like this:

A friend asks: “Heard anything good lately?” 

 “I just heard this band called Widows Gold. Have you ever heard of them?” I reply,  

“No”. 

“That’s alright. I hadn’t heard of them before last week either. They’re a female-fronted rock band, from California. It’s husband/wife duo Ben Sauer [guitar] and Madeline Star [vocals], with Ian Zamora [bass] and Carson Ford [drums]. They are about to release their debut album called Love Drops” 

“That’s cool”.

“Yeah, Madeline’s voice, and the sound of the band, sound very familiar and completely new at the same time. After listening, I’m sure you’ll recognize the similar DNA in this music to some of the other rock bands of the past decade or two that you’ve liked listening to”. 

“Well, all music builds upon what’s come before. And, to paraphrase Newton, if one has seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants,” my friend replies. 

“Exactly. Y’know, I really liked the song, “My Time to Talk”.  Nice melodies, nice basslines, and guitar work. And a powerful vocal performance, that propels the music forward. It’s eight songs, and it’s a good piece of music to listen to, from start to finish.”

“Thanks, I’ll check it out,” 

“Do it! If you’re in the mood for some rock, I think it’ll treat you right.”

“Right on,” says my friend. “So, how’s this music review going? Are you enjoying the work?”

“What I like about writing album reviews is the introduction to new music. Discovering new bands and artists I’d never heard of prior to their album landing on my desk,” I say. 

“Now, to be honest,” I continue, “I often wish I hadn’t learned of a new artist. Often this introduction just makes me lament the state of modern music. But every so often, a band and an album come into view and you’re glad for it. A fresh wind sweeps in, to blow the stagnant air away.”

“Like Widows Gold?”

I nod. “Yeah. Like Widows Gold.”