White Widdow

[TIM (2)]

Well, I got to spin this in the car this afternoon and here are my initial thoughts.

 

Firstly, I do actually think there is a solid difference between 'Serenade' and the debut. As I said elsewhere, I thought the debut was melodic hard rock, just with a lot of keys. I never thought of it as an AOR CD. Now, the new one... different story. To me, at least, this new one sounds a lot more AOR-ish than the debut. There were a few tunes off the debut, like 'Tokyo Rain,' 'Cross to bear,' 'Fire and Ice' and even to an extent, 'Broken hearts won't last forever.' All these tracks, despite the keys, still had a solid set of balls and were good hard rockers. Now, don't get me wrong. LOVE what I hear of the new CD, but I did notice there didn't appear to be obvious melodic hard rockers... it seemed to be much more in AOR territory. Very smooth, very slick.

 

Two things. If 'Love won't wait' is a 4/10 I will spend a day with my testicles in my mouth, suckling heavily. And two; Tim, if I get to a point where I honestly believe you think this song is so bad it's only a 4/10 I will also do the same - suckle my testicles for a full day. Sure, I agree it's the weakest song on the CD. Yeah, it's generic and the chorus isn't as good as other songs. But 4/10? That's not just a filler you skip next time you play the CD because it's average as hell. 4/10 is actual real rubbish that you don't even bother finishing the first time you play the CD. Like something painfully bad. To each their own, but I think that in making a point of not liking this band as much as others, thoughts on this song might have been over-emphasised in form of untruthfullness... just to make a point.

 

Whatever else one says about this band, after hearing this CD I would suggest that White Widdow probably cater to some of the most intelligent and exciting rhythm guitar in the scene at the moment. These days I don't often hear how good guitar can be in verses - not just when it comes to the solo. White Widdow have not forgotten. Tim touched on it above, but some of the verses on this CD are every bit as good, if not even better than the chorus. Because there is just some of the most delicious guitar and well constructed verses here.

 

Anyway, I seem to be heavily carrying on after just one spin. I'll comment in detail more later, but early faves were... well, honestly, most of them. Seriously. I would pinpoint the title track and 'Love won't wait' as being the two weakest songs, but I loved the rest. I personally LOVE 'Show your cards.' Even with me not really being an AOR enthusiast, I just thought it was such a killer pure AOR song. I loved how it was a bit of a different feel to the album... really worked for me. I guess if I had to pick a highlight, 'Patiently' really stood out for me. Amazing ballad, taking full advantage of those stunning verses I mentioned above. I guess I'd agree the first 5 stood out for me too - especially the killer hooky 'Reckless nights.' But yeah, not kidding when I say I loved it all.

 

Hard to say how it'll rate after one spin, but it was a very favourable first spin. No doubt it will at least score in the mid to late 80's for me personally.

 

 

Wow, what a load of rubbish. You castigate others for saying there's a difference between the 2 albums before you'd even heard the new one, and now admit there is a difference. You overhype this before you've even heard it and then expect people to take your views seriously when you'd made up your mind before you even heard it? "Love Won't Wait" is a weak filler of a song, with a chorus that a 2-year old could've written, and I'm delighted for anyone who likes it but I don't and I called it. As for the nonsense you've written about AOR - jesus wept. This band play AOR. They played AOR on their debut, and they played it here too. Some AOR is heavy (Fair Warning) and some is light (Work of Art). Mostly it's about song-structure and style and not how much guitar there is, and mostly you slaughter AOR acts (presumably unless they're australian). Your views are arrogant and biased nonsense.

[66 mustang]

I'm late to the party but does THIS song put anyone else in mind of the Mitch Malloy song STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. listen to the chorous.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMcPm-HrOLY

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TG9_rSjWHw

[melodicrockoz]

Well White Widdow will be playing at Firefest this weekend, hope all those who can make it do so

[zacharyamelie]

I've had this one for a few weeks and it got better, much better with time.

 

1. Cry Wolf - 8.5/10

2. Strangers in the Night - 8.5/10

3. Do you Remember - 8.5/10

4. Reckless Nights - 9/10

5. How Far I Run - 9/10 (the chorus is just like Journey's 'Be Good To Yourself')

6. Serenade - 9.5/10 (love the chorus)

7. Show Your Cards - 6/10 (don't really care for this one, too hi-tech AORish)

8. Mistake - 8/10

9. Patiently - 8/10 (chorus reminds me of Harem Scarem's Honestly)

10. Love Won't Wait - 9/10 (I love this song, I've seen some hate for it, the chorus is catchy, a bit more effort in the lyrics for the chorus would have helped)

 

average of 8.4/10

 

I like it more than the Reckless Love, but the quality isn't quite as good the Work Of Art. With stronger vocals both lead and backing, this could have been the release of the year.

[melodicrockoz]

I've had this one for a few weeks and it got better, much better with time.

 

1. Cry Wolf - 8.5/10

2. Strangers in the Night - 8.5/10

3. Do you Remember - 8.5/10

4. Reckless Nights - 9/10

5. How Far I Run - 9/10 (the chorus is just like Journey's 'Be Good To Yourself')

6. Serenade - 9.5/10 (love the chorus)

7. Show Your Cards - 6/10 (don't really care for this one, too hi-tech AORish)

8. Mistake - 8/10

9. Patiently - 8/10 (chorus reminds me of Harem Scarem's Honestly)

10. Love Won't Wait - 9/10 (I love this song, I've seen some hate for it, the chorus is catchy, a bit more effort in the lyrics for the chorus would have helped)

 

average of 8.4/10

 

I like it more than the Reckless Love, but the quality isn't quite as good the Work Of Art. With stronger vocals both lead and backing, this could have been the release of the year.

 

 

 

I actually rate Serenade above the latest Work Of Art which I feel isn't all that together, hence the title.

I managed to pick up the Japanese pressing with 3 bonus tracks, well worth the extra money.

[Glen]

If Serenade is better than In Progress then I'm a monkeys uncle.

[TIM (2)]

If Serenade is better than In Progress then I'm a monkeys uncle.

 

Backed 100% (about the sentiment, rather than the monkey comparison).

[zacharyamelie]

If Serenade is better than In Progress then I'm a monkeys uncle.

 

Backed 100% (about the sentiment, rather than the monkey comparison).

 

I totally agree. Both are excellent, but the vocals alone make the WOA superior. The WOA is simply a notch of class above the White Widdow.

[Jez]

If Serenade is better than In Progress then I'm a monkeys uncle.

 

Backed 100% (about the sentiment, rather than the monkey comparison).

 

 

Backed 100%, including the monkey comparison

[melodicrockoz]

If Serenade is better than In Progress then I'm a monkeys uncle.

 

Backed 100% (about the sentiment, rather than the monkey comparison).

 

 

Backed 100%, including the monkey comparison

 

 

IMHO, White Widdow - Serenade outdoes the latest WOA album which I find is weaker than their debut.

I've had the WOA - in progress for quite some time & it hasn't gone beyond a few spins for me. I don't find it as instant as thier debut which was on discman / cd player for months. Most of us here rate the new WOA superior to the debut but it just doesnt do it for me.

 

The new White Widdow album pretty much does what WOA's debut done so far. The guitar work on WW is absolutely fab & imho, every melodic rock album needs great guitars & the keys are sublime, which is a bonus.

[Geoff]

I don't think White Widdow will top WOA art for me either, but that that said, I don't think it's too outrageous. I do think that alongside Steel Panther, White Widdow have the most exciting guitarist on a CD this year. Love that aspect. There's certainly no filler, nor is there on WOA. Two excellent albums, but I think the little things will just push WOA ahead. Will be rating the White Widdow one this week, in fact.

[TIM (2)]

If Serenade is better than In Progress then I'm a monkeys uncle.

 

Backed 100% (about the sentiment, rather than the monkey comparison).

 

 

Backed 100%, including the monkey comparison

 

 

IMHO, White Widdow - Serenade outdoes the latest WOA album which I find is weaker than their debut.

I've had the WOA - in progress for quite some time & it hasn't gone beyond a few spins for me. I don't find it as instant as thier debut which was on discman / cd player for months. Most of us here rate the new WOA superior to the debut but it just doesnt do it for me.

 

The new White Widdow album pretty much does what WOA's debut done so far. The guitar work on WW is absolutely fab & imho, every melodic rock album needs great guitars & the keys are sublime, which is a bonus.

 

I do think the new WOA takes quite a few spins to get into. More than the debut. In fact, to be honest it probably took me 6 or 7 spins before I liked it as much but once those hooks sink-in there's no escaping. Not sure I'd rate it higher than their debut, and it's definitely not quite as instant, but I do reckon you should stick with it as it genuinely has 3-4 utterly flawless tracks on it IMHO.

[Geoff]

Well I could just let Andre go down in flames alone here and save myself the heckling, but what the heck, I'll put it out there. I finally got down to my rating of White Widdow today and what do you know, turns out that I agree with Andre.

 

Now, just to explain myself:

 

The obvious - WOA do admittedly have stronger vocals and lyrics. WOA also have an aura of maturity about them and although both are relatively "new" bands, WOA do have that more "polished" and experienced feel.

 

However! In terms of hook / chorus / melody writing, I think each band is pretty equal. The WOA disc is full of great, super melodic and catchy choruses. But then so is the WW disc ; can't get these songs out of my head.

 

So where is that WW excelled for me, then, I hear you ask? Well, WOA may write excellent choruses, but I noticed again today that it's not always the case with the verses. And it's not just the blatantly obvious 'Castaway' that is guilty of this. There are several songs on the CD with verses that don't really work for me until the chorus saves the day. For example, 'Nature of the game,' 'Once again,' and 'Fall down.' And a couple of those tracks are obviously weaker than the highlights of the CD. Of course there are also near-perfect gems from start to end like 'The rain,' 'Never love again' and 'Emelie.'

 

But anyway, this is not the case with WW. They write more complete songs, imo. Each verse throughout the whole CD is excellent and in some cases as strong as the chorus (or in the case of 'Do you remember' even stronger than the chorus) and although I'm a broken record, that guitarist just makes every part of the album so musically awesome. He really adds a dimension to this CD that not only WOA are missing, but it's not found on any other CD this year either (aside from maybe Steel Panther, which is just riff-alicious). But I found it so hard to pick a "weak point" on the WW disc. The only attempts at pointing out "weaker" songs was to take a stab at 'Do you remember' and maybe 'Mistake,' but I love both.

 

I think what I'm trying to say, is that both albums offer incredibly high highlights, but for me, I think WW just maintain that high standard a little more consistently and don't really miss a beat for the whole CD... whereas there are moments on the WOA disc where I know it could and should be better.

[melodicrockoz]

Well I could just let Andre go down in flames alone here and save myself the heckling, but what the heck, I'll put it out there. I finally got down to my rating of White Widdow today and what do you know, turns out that I agree with Andre. And it was a

 

Now, just to explain myself:

 

The obvious - WOA do admittedly have stronger vocals and lyrics. WOA also have an aura of maturity about them and although both are relatively "new" bands, WOA do have that more "polished" and experienced feel.

 

However! In terms of hook / chorus / melody writing, I think each band is pretty equal. The WOA disc is full of great, super melodic and catchy choruses. But then so is the WW disc ; can't get these songs out of my head.

 

So where is that WW excelled for me, then, I hear you ask? Well, WOA may write excellent choruses, but I noticed again today that it's not always the case with the verses. And it's not just the blatantly obvious 'Castaway' that is guilty of this. There are several songs on the CD with verses that don't really work for me until the chorus saves the day. For example, 'Nature of the game,' 'Once again,' and 'Fall down.' And a couple of those tracks are obviously weaker than the highlights of the CD. Of course there are also near-perfect gems from start to end like 'The rain,' 'Never love again' and 'Emelie.'

 

But anyway, this is not the case with WW. They write more complete songs, imo. Each verse throughout the whole CD is excellent and in some cases as strong as the chorus (or in the case of 'Do you remember' even stronger than the chorus) and although I'm a broken record, that guitarist just makes every part of the album so musically awesome. He really adds a dimension to this CD that not only WOA are missing, but it's not found on any other CD this year either (aside from maybe Steel Panther, which is just riff-alicious). But I found it so hard to pick a "weak point" on the WW disc. The only attempts at pointing out "weaker" songs was to take a stab at 'Do you remember' and maybe 'Mistake,' but I love both.

 

I think what I'm trying to say, is that both albums offer incredibly high highlights, but for me, I think WW just maintain that high standard a little more consistently and don't really miss a beat for the whole CD... whereas there are moments on the WOA disc where I know it could and should be better.

 

Precisely!

 

The guitars & keysmanship on WW is absolutely stunning!

 

Seriously, if anyone was to tell me the 2nd WOA are actually tracks the band had as far back as thier debut I'd have no problems believeing it as I kinda feel the 2nd WOA is an inferior batch of traxx & the band picked the best for thier debut.

 

WOA even utilised an lyricist for bunch on a their songs, which kinda makes me believe they may have have been fully into thier album.

 

Never the less the 2nd WOA is a good album, just not as strong as the fabulous DEBUT, hopefully album 3 will pick up.

[Glen]

Wow, once again some pretty sweeping comments here which I just cant agree with.

 

WoA - here's how I see it. Everything on 'In Progress' is a step forward IMO. From the production (which is STUNNING), to the hooks, to the commercialism of the songs, and the fact that they have (to a huge degree although not completely) lost the Toto copycat tag as well.

 

For me, 'The Rain', 'Never Love Again', 'The Great Fall', 'Emelie' and 'Castaway' (I actually like the verses now...quirky and cool) are all better than ANY song on the debut. Big statement perhaps but its true.

 

As for WW, yeah I like the album....I rated around 83-84% FFS, and it is sitting in my top 30, probably bordering on top 20 in what has been a great year in our genre. However, there are elements which pull this down, and it is the lyrical content of the songs is just so basic, the often repetitive nature of the choruses is not engaging enough, and there are fillers...for me anyway. These fillers have been discussed to death so Im not going over them again (but lets just say the first half is MUCH better than the second), but those are the reasons why WoA still sits at No 2 in my list (just!!) and WW at around No 22-23.

 

& Geoff, if you are waiting for an album which is musically awesome, look no further than The Magnificent! Every riff, key, solo is just so immaculately perfect its just not right!!

 

Cheers

[TIM (2)]

 

For me, 'The Rain', 'Never Love Again', 'The Great Fall', 'Emelie' and 'Castaway' (I actually like the verses now...quirky and cool) are all better than ANY song on the debut. Big statement perhaps but its true.

 

 

I don't especially agree about the comparison with the WOA debut, which I thought was no better or worse than "In Progress". Both awesome. My fave songs are actually "Never Love Again" and the last 3 (the most stunning end to a CD in years). I'm not that surprised some people prefer the more immediate hooks on the WW to WOA, and the more straight-ahead approach. The WOA takes a lot more work to get into as the hooks are more subtle, and they often rely more on lush melodies than obvious hooks or catchy choruses. Personally I love both styles, but on sheer class of songwriting then WOA are in a different league IMHO.

[Glen]

 

For me, 'The Rain', 'Never Love Again', 'The Great Fall', 'Emelie' and 'Castaway' (I actually like the verses now...quirky and cool) are all better than ANY song on the debut. Big statement perhaps but its true.

 

 

I don't especially agree about the comparison with the WOA debut, which I thought was no better or worse than "In Progress". Both awesome. My fave songs are actually "Never Love Again" and the last 3 (the most stunning end to a CD in years). I'm not that surprised some people prefer the more immediate hooks on the WW to WOA, and the more straight-ahead approach. The WOA takes a lot more work to get into as the hooks are more subtle, and they often rely more on lush melodies than obvious hooks or catchy choruses. Personally I love both styles, but on sheer class of songwriting then WOA are in a different league IMHO.

 

Yeah dont get me wrong on the comparison, it's pretty close because as you say both albums are great (I actually rated the debut as no 1 or 2 in it's year of release)....it's just that I can't read comments like this -

 

"Seriously, if anyone was to tell me the 2nd WOA are actually tracks the band had as far back as thier debut I'd have no problems believeing it as I kinda feel the 2nd WOA is an inferior batch of traxx & the band picked the best for thier debut."

 

....and not react, cos it's just plain wrong....and Im not talking about the spelling ;-)

[Geoff]

I need to play the WOA debut again, preferably back to back with the newie, but I'm pretty sure I actually prefer the new one. Like I've said, it's more consistent than the debut and I think there are just a larger number of great songs, thus it's consistency. I do remember 'Cover me' was outrageously good, though.

[Nightrain]

I definitely prefer 'In Progress' over WoA's debut, but agree with TIM that actually both are awesome. However I tend to see that in their debut, it's a collection of old demos that's heavily haunted by Toto so perhaps to compare both albums, the first one is definitely lack of originality and of course maturity, and yes because they were written when Sall was very young (I believe it's from the early 90s). I also agree with TIM that he stated the other day that WOA will take more than 5 spins to make the whole album sink in perfectly, and also agree that 'Never Love Again' is a big fave, that's a beautiful track.

 

Now on WW, it's the type of album that you instantly like in the first spin, but perhaps tend to slowly goin' down after repetitive spins until it hits the mark where the rating becomes reasonable, shouldn't be lower than 85% IMHO, but on the contrary, WOA can start slow on some people, perhaps around 80%, but it can reach the top limit over time.

[melodicrockoz]

white widdow album 3 out in september 2013

[Geoff]

white widdow album 3 out in september 2013

 

Oh nice. Real nice. I haven't heard much more about Jules with Tigertailz, but I was hoping there'd still be ample time for a new White Widdow CD. Can't wait.

[Glen]

Hope it's better than the last one

[Geoff]

Hope it's better than the last one

 

wtf? You hope it's a 97% album instead of a 95%?! Don't be so freakin' greedy!

 

Nah, but seriously, the last album was killer.

[Doggy]

Also returning in 2013 is a little band called SAFIRE, keep your eyes on Ebay the new cd will be sold from there.

[Glen]

Hope it's better than the last one

 

wtf? You hope it's a 97% album instead of a 95%?! Don't be so freakin' greedy!

 

Nah, but seriously, the last album was killer.

 

Ha ha yeah 95%. If the second half had been better it might have been. Still prefer the debut personally.

 

Hoping they nail it on the third :-)