SACRIFICE

I really can't bring myself to dislike this album, which is odd because it's not really that good. Sounds strange, but I suppose it's one of those records that you love in spite of its shortcomings. 'In Ancient Days' is a great track, probably the best on the album, or at least the most convincing. The problem Black Widow have on this album is that they can't really forge an identity out of it. The faux-Satanic lyrics are laughable, but also naively loveable, and the keyboardist seems only to be able to hammer out dramatic blues chords and run his hands clumsily up and down the keys before returning to the same chord again. 'Come To The Sabbat' is so twee it's impossible NOT to enjoy it in a grinning and dancing stupidly kind of way, and along with 'Dora The Female Explorer' by Stackridge it's a track I like to annoy my friends with. The tempo is mostly based on rhythm & blues standards, and the whole album comes across like an overly adventurous pub blues band. But STILL I don't dislike it. Frankly, it's great fun to turn up loud and bellow out lyrics like "I conjure thee appear!!" while doing the ironing or something.

I would say this: if you happen to be browsing a second hand record store and come across this for a relatively small sum of money (i.e. less than a tenner), then go for it. It'll be one of those records you flick past, remember how much you enjoyed listening to about six months ago, put it on, dance like a twat, put it away and then forget about it until the next time that happens.