Young Widows: In and Out of Youth and Lightness

Young Widows isn't a band who stays in the same place for too long and this is clearly evident on In and Out of Youth and Lightness, its third proper full length and second with Temporary Residence. The band has hinted at dark mellowness in the past, for example 2008's "The Guitar" from Old Wounds, but now the dark doom is here to stay for an entire album's worth. Almost every Young Widows review of the past mentioned The Jesus Lizard and the influence is still there, maybe just a little bit. Check the sway of chords and twang of "In and Out of Lightness" for proof.

While analyzing Youth and Lightness, I found myself going back to Old Wounds, just to make sure that Young Widows is the same band. Well, they are and they aren't. Same individuals, but many things have changed; Evan Patterson has a Nick Cave like drawl, no more metal bashing, and only a few rousing moments ("Future Heart, "White Golden Rings). The rest is steady mood and intricate guitar work from Patterson, who has now solidified himself as the master of his own eerie domain. That's one thing that hasn't changed: Patterson's progression and range as a guitarist –– it's hair raising stuff. On "Right In the End," Patterson throws in some friendly acoustic Americana for the album's shortest track at three minutes. This band is from Louisville and recorded with Kevin Ratterman (My Morning Jacket) in an old funeral home.

At nine tracks and 48 minutes, Youth and Lightness is by far the longest Young Widows record to date. Six tracks go past five minutes, but this hypnotic music never gets boring in length. Patterson may get the most attention for his precise axe work, but Nick Thieneman (bass, backing vocals) and Jeremy McMonigle (drum kit, tambourine, sleigh bells, piano, anvil, triangle) provide a very steady and chunky rhythm section, coming through with perfect fills. "White Golden Rings" lets loose for a thunderous chorus, but still not up to older standards for the band. McMonigle starts final track "In and Out of Youth" with a piano, setting up for an atmospheric climax.

Patterson ends the album by saying, "These wild dreams are done." Maybe Young Widows left its spiraling wildness behind, growing into a more mature self. The dark, swaying mood proves that much. Past Young Widows fans, like myself, will find themselves waiting for that huge metallic explosion on Youth and Lightness, but it'll never come. When the band almost seems to loose its shit, the music plateaus, burning into a dark haze. Don't sleep on this one.