Selections of Shoegaze: First Stop, Dallas Tx’s True Widow

True Widow

I want to do some posts on favorite selections of Shoegaze Rock, and I thought I’d start local and post on the emerging Dallas act, True Widow. A friend turned me on to the group when I moved to the Dallas area, and recently, music critics like the loath-able fascists of rich dorks, excuse me, pitch fork.com, have been sounding praises of the band’s latest album, As High As the Highest Heavens and From the Center to the Circumference of the Earth (Kemado Records 2011). The group is composed of 3 players (drums, bass, guitar), and the sound is as full and thick as any multi-membered heavy metal band. That’s right; they’re some real heavy Shoegaze. Some have called it “Stonergaze;” others have pointed out the overlap of dreamy space pop and sludged-out doom metal. Someone in the blogosphere described the act as a heavy version of Low, and I would agree with that description. As just stated, the band has released two full-length records, their first being a self-titled release on End Sounds in 2008. The two albums demonstrate a natural growth with a distinct, focused style that one can always expect. It fulfills one’s expectations in good way because one quickly senses an assurance or confidence of artistic vision in their constant, heavy-mellow sound. Pitchfork complimented their 2nd release as being a “complete mastery of control,” and I think the critic is expressing a similar insight there. Check out the track, “Skull Eyes”, from their latest full-length; here’s the “official video”:

Album covers of As High As the Highest Heavens and From the Center to the Circumference of the Earth & their self-titled release.

I recently saw the group perform with Kurt Vile in Dallas... Great show. I would say that some of the texture and contrast in their sound was lost in the fuzz when watching them live. The records are amazing, however. Here’s the opening track, "Jackyl," of the latest release:

The music is thick, heavy, and real crunchy, but it mellows one’s soul as well. It kind of reminds me of an independent, Christian act of the 90s called Starflyer 59. I don’t know how many people remember that band; I saw them play in a church once when around the age of 15. Check out the track “Blue Collar Love”:

Or here’s an “official video” of the Starflyer track “Housewife Love Song”:

Starflyer 59 recorded some great fuzzy drone rock much like that of True Widow, so check their early albums, Silver (1994 Tooth & Nail Records) & Gold (1995 Tooth & Nail Records). Definitely check out the first, self-titled True Widow as well. I’ll leave with a great tune from T. Widow’s first release, the song “AKA”:

Self Titled:

http://www.mediafire.com/?nmmmm4yizkn

As High as the Heavens:

http://www.mediafire.com/?jqx471yamyfve7z

Feel free to comment, and enjoy!!