White Widow - A Psychological Thriller Review

The album is inspired by her taste for psychological thriller films. It’s a concept album really. It tells the story of a fictional character through the 10-track LP.

You get the sense that it’s definitely about a romance that starts off awesomely in “Trophy Girl” then the fights start to brew in “Bloodbath.” The romance and love may have not been what they both thought it was. The last track on the album is “Miss You Bad.” It feels like a conclusion to the story, a yearning to go back to the relationship but knowing they still must go on with their life.

I’m not really sure where the ‘psychological thriller’ love comes in but you definitely can’t help but think of powerful 80s music like Pat Benatar....full text On her fourth release, Carla Patullo (White Widow) occupies a zone midpoint between Kate Bush and Martha Bates (Motels), creating a semi-symphonic progressive melodic groove that will soon serve as score to an animated film in work by a couple of Brooklyn artists. A rather eclectic woman, Patullo graduated from Berklee, sings all vocal parts, and plays all instruments here except for bass, cello, and drums. The result, A Psychological Thriller, under her nom de plume, is a marvelous half hour of concept cycling that enthralls, absorbs, saddens, uplifts, and caresses the ear and mind in a tale of deliquescing love.

There's an element of Angelo Badalamenti and Julee Cruise as well, but with a lot more angst, less narco-vapors as some of the instrumental arrangements veer towards Sally Oldfield. Berklee certainly didn't stint in imbuing the writer with compositional or arranging deftnesses as the tableau unfolds in serial visions thematically centered in Wandering Eye. The entire story wraps itself around the pulse of that anguished heart like layers of night skies and alleyways. Patullo's singing becomes the urgent thread sewing chapters together one after another, postcards of increasing urgency amid a Serial Love Affair leading to a Bloodbath that tells us a little Something about [the so-called] Paradise of love. This is not a story that will have you floating amid cherry-cheeked cherubs and Betty Crocker visions, not by a long shot, even as Patulla's seductive siren wail draws you towards its melancholy beacon. There are rocks near that shore, and your tiny little row boat isn't going to fare well amid them—…but you'll smile as you go under....full text Indie rock singer/songwriter White Widow hit it right out of the ballpark with her fourth album. Artfully combining her sultry voice with vivid songwriting, a hypnotic and harmonic sound, and a supremely mysterious mood, Widow takes the viewer on a captivating sonic journey that’s really something to hear. The lush arrangements are exquisitely filled out by tinkling pianos, moody strings, and equally brooding cellos. The swirling and whirling rhythmic push’n’pull of the chugging tempos and steady beats provide an extra stirring kick to the already tasty proceedings. Sheer intoxicating pleasure from start to finish. ...full text