The past few years have been good ones for Louisville with acts like Young Widows, Coliseum, and Lords all making their hometown one to watch. One of the things I like most about these bands is that not only are they brutally punk rock but they are all musically different from each other while all having the same spirit. Young Widows offhandedly tell their crowd “You’re getting no money back” on this album much in the same way that the Lords ask “What the fuck did you think you were gonna get?” on their album “Fuck All Ya’ll Motherfuckers”. It’s as if these bands have no interest in pleasing their audience. And why the fuck should they? Either you like it or you don’t. If you like it, here it is. If you don’t, then get the fuck out. Buy our records or don’t, we’re making them regardless.
Prior to Old Wounds the Young Widows could have been dismissed as a Jesus Lizard tribute band. On their first album “Settle Down City” they even give a nod to Gladiator by Jesus Lizard with their song Glad He Ate Her. The Lizard influences are still present here but so are Fugazi, Melvins, Quicksand, early Nirvana, Black Flag, and it all comes together in such a way that it becomes something else entirely. With Old Wounds they prove that they are their own beast. And this beast is a motherfucker. Parts of this album make me want kick holes in brick walls. Old Wounds is a heavy fucking album. A dense fucking album. Each time I listen to it I find something different to latch on to. From the point where the drums initially kick in and straight through to the end note it’s a hell of a trip. It’s an album that demands being played at high volumes to be fully appreciated. The subtle nuances of their sound really shine on the vinyl format. I think what makes this album sound so unique is that it’s mixed with part live recording and part studio sessions. One song might have been recorded in four different places and it makes for a really engaging listen. Producer and Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou did an unbelievable job helping put this album together.
This album has already gone through a few pressings. The one I picked up which should still be available is the Shirt Killer exclusive strawberry dipped sky colored vinyl limited to 100 copies. So pick it up or don’t. They’ll probably make a new one regardless of what you or Pitchfork think (incidentally the fact that Pitchfork gave this a mediocre review makes me like it even more).
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