40 Watt Sun
Wider than the Sky
originally published on Lambgoat
40 Watt Sun’s Patrick Walker wants you to know that he
doesn’t play doom metal. Sure, his ultra
minimalist approach has always been rooted in the genre, but even at its
heaviest Walker’s songs have always borne qualities more akin to
singer-songwriter material. Watching From A Distance, the hauntingly
beautiful opus of his former group Warning, has garnered legendary status for
its starkly personal and emotional songs.
Having laid Warning to rest after it’s release, Walker’s 40 Watt Sun
debut, The Inside Room grew upon that
foundation, utilizing the songwriters incomparable croon and penchant for
dreary melodies, all the while exploring new atmospheres with a hint of
acoustic instrumentation.
Walker has also shown he is capable of excelling outside of
the metal world. Having released an
acoustic version of Warning’s “Bridges” in 2010 as well as covering material
from indie folk singers Jason Molina and Damien Jurado, one couldn’t help but
to wonder if he might shed his heavy past altogether.
Enter Wider Than The
Sky, the group’s sophomore album.
Having battled their record labels desire to market the band under the
doom metal flag, the trio has released a record simultaneously as distant from,
and, as true to that tag as possible. While
Walker, along with bassist William Spong and drummer Christian Leitch (also
formerly of Warning), has traded in the steady wash of distorted guitar for a
clean tone, Wider Than The Sky isn’t
necessarily a departure. In fact, the mellower
sound comes off as a natural progression for the group.
Anchored by the same slow churning rhythms and dark,
introspective lyrics 40 Watt Sun are known for, the band is actually able to
create even stronger moods in this setting.
Without the sustain of the distortion, Walker’s guitar decays into near
silence, creating an openness not heard on previous efforts. If Watching
From A Distance and The Inside Room
were the sound of desperation, Wider Than
The Sky is utter hopelessness. It’s
this newfound restraint that makes this group of songs so alluring.
Walker’s signature clean sung vocals lend themselves
perfectly to the more intimate, quieter feel, but it’s the bands use of different
instrumentation that creates an extra dynamic in the overall sound. Interspersed throughout the record are
touches of acoustic guitar, piano and synth, adding new layers and textures to
the songs. With this wider palette, the
songwriting is able to grow beyond typical genre confines.
While there are no moments of metal in a traditional sense
found on Wider Than The Sky, it’s
clear that 40 Watt Sun haven’t abandoned it all together. They have essentially kept their doom roots
while spreading themselves out even further, bridging the gap between their
heavier sound and Walker’s solo efforts.
Bottomline: Patrick Walker and 40 Watt Sun have evolved
beyond doom metal, transcending genres. Wider Than The Sky is equal parts
Warning and Songs: Ohia. Emotionally
heavy and finely crafted, it is a frontrunner for album of the year and one
that is sure to have plenty of staying power for years to come.
40 Watt Sun - Beyond You - Wider than the Sky
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