WHITE WIDDOW - review added 5th October 2011
Album Review: Serenade (2011)
For fans of: Hard Rock
The debut album by Melbourne, Australia, band White Widdow came out late last year. I reviewed it and came away reasonably unimpressed. On getting the new one I went back for another listen and, whilst I admit I may have been a tad harsh, the vibe of the review was mostly correct.
So it's with some confusion that I now sit here listening to the follow up, seemingly from a band who have moved from also-ran to front runner in the "recreating the-sound-from-the-late-1980s" scene. I'm not sure what has happened to the band in the last year or so, but "Serenade" is damned excellent.
Singer Jules Millis was a bit ropey last time round. Not so here, he sounds superb. The songs were forgettable on the last one. Again, none of that here. The tracks are catchy, full of big riffs and melodious hooks, and they do a perfect job of referencing the past whilst keeping a foot in the present. No point naming best tracks as it's pretty much all spot on.
In Summation:
If you think of the first album as a caterpillar, this is a gorgeous butterfly. Good work chaps!
Entertainment/Enjoyment:
Musicianship:
Vocals:
Song Writing:
Production:
Overall (Not An Average Of The Above):
Track List:
01. Cry Wolf
2. Strangers In The Night
3. Do You Remember
4. Reckless Nights
5. How Far I Run
6. Serenade
7. Show Your Cards
8. Mistake
9. Patiently
10. Love Won’t Wait
Band/Performers:
Vocals - Jules Millis
Guitar - Enzo Almanzi
Bass - Trent Wilson
Keyboards - Xavier Millis
Drums - Jim Naish
Other Info:
Recorded at Solid State Studios in Melbourne Australia
Mixed and Mastered by Pelle Saether (Grand Design) at Studio Underground in Sweden
Label: AOR Heaven
Artist's website(s): MySpace | Facebook
