Almanac

Widowspeak - Almanac
Critic Score
Based on 22 reviews
2013 Ratings: #431 / 1115
User Score
Based on 43 ratings
Liked by 1 person
January 22, 2013 / Release Date
LP / Format
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CRITIC REVIEWS

84
Paste

Widowspeak’s Almanac strikes as a true original, as a natural evolution from the band’s original concept. 

83
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.

80
PopMatters

As with most albums that so heavily focus on mood, Almanac is not quite so immediately rewarding, requiring multiple listens to align yourself with its rhythm.

80
AllMusic

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.

80
Sputnikmusic
Widowspeak’s greatest accomplishment is maintaining that same sense of simmering, uncertain wonder over the course of one appealingly blurry album.
80
DIY

All in all, seemingly indebted to many, this is a band equipped with new-found confidence, poise and an incredibly impressive sophomore effort.

80
The Fly

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

80
The 405

It's the sound of a band that is following it's own natural pattern and reading it very well.

75
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.

75
Under the Radar
The sound of a home recording project cohering into a band and darn good one at that.
73
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. Without a singular narrative to tie it all together besides Hamilton's lovely but noncommital exhalations, it's a little too easy to lose interest.

70
Spectrum Culture

Almanac proves to be a step forward for a band still early into its career.

70
Rolling Stone

The band’s neurotically smoldering dream pop plays it cute and creepy – mashing up the doom-whispering Ambien-elegance of Mazzy Star, Fleetwood Mac at their witchiest, Cat Power at her clawiest, murder-tinged country ballads and steamy psychedelic vertigo.

70
NME

Where most bands who take a ramble about nature come off feeling terribly twee, ‘Almanac’ recognises the essential grittiness of nature.

70
musicOMH

In ramping up their scope – a laudable and understandable idea really for a second LP – Widowspeak instead often lose sight of their strengths, too often not seeing the wood for the trees.

70
Tiny Mix Tapes

Almanac is largely a great success: a record that builds upon the duo’s sparse, murky shoegaze by incorporating elements of Americana in a manner that feels effortless and epic, rather than heavy-handed.

70
Drowned in Sound

Thanks to the similarities in vocal styles, it’s easy to compare Widowspeak with other acts around, and it’s fair to say that there’s plenty here for fans of such acts to admire. 

65
Prefix
More often than not, they miss, retreating back instead of charging forward.
60
Consequence of Sound

The rest of Almanc’s 12 tracks dabble with Americana, the sounds of the ’70s, and the band’s already-established dreamy haze, resulting in a record that satisfies with each homage.

60
No Ripcord

Overall, Almanac is a good follow up that helps cement the band’s holding in the new age of dreamy folk rock. 

57
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.

CheapandLethal
75

Decent

FinalLifeline
71

Jangly dream pop that drifts easily through the ear is often my specialty. While Widowspeak doesn't offer the intense pleasure of Beach House, they do offer a pleasant version of dream pop that drifts oddly close to both baroque and Americana styles at times. It's not a consistent offering, but it is an interesting and pretty one.

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Added on: November 15, 2012