LOVESLIESCRUSHING Glissceule (Sonic Syrup) cd 9.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Back in stock, and always worth raving about. Here's the review we wrote when this came out originally: Shoegazing -- originally the derogatory term applied to bands like Ride, Slowdive, and My Bloody Valentine for the lackluster stage presence -- developed into an impressive aesthetic during the early '90s whereby the jangle of '60s psych-pop was married with Brian Eno's notions of ambient music as an oceanic / prelingual return to the womb. After its gilded crescendo from a couple of records (most notably MBV's Loveless), shoegazing as an artform faded away, with many of the original proponents shedding the layers of distortion to concentrate upon their songwriting (most notably Neil Halstead formerly of Slowdive, now a minstrel of sunny folk-rock). Loveliescrushing -- the post-shoegazing US duo of Scott Cortez and Melissa Arpin-Henry -- disagreed with this trajectory away from etherealism and towards songsmithery, thus centering their music around only the faintest residues of melody and ghostly reminders of what might be a song somewhere within all of their bleary-eyed guitar washes. Their first two exceptional albums (Bloweyelashwish and Xuvetyn) found their way onto Projekt, the stalwart proprietors of America's darkwave / goth scene, although they didn't readily fit with Projekt's aesthetic for black lace and blood red roses. The only connection with Projekt may have been in the mutual affinity for the Cocteau Twins, whose glossalaic siren songs certainly resonate within the incomprehensible siren-like vocalizations of Arpin-Henry. Yet for all of the aforementioned references, Loveliescrushing has little use for a rhythm section, presenting that soft female voice floating way off in the distance amidst oceans of radioluminescent layers of guitar reverberation. Compared to their previous records, Glissceule has smoothed over some of Loveliescrushing's expressionistic bursts of static and bristling noise, striving for a more enchanting eternal drone. In all probability, this will stand as one of my (Jim's) favorite 'pop' albums of the year, even though there's nothing 'pop' about it.
MPEG Stream: "Gloscien"
MPEG Stream: "Eishglinl"
MPEG Stream: "Suischre"
MPEG Stream: "Cleirglos"

LOVETT, LYLE Live In Texas (MCA) cd 17.98
Lyle fans, get in line.

LOVETT, LYLE Step Inside This House (MCA) 2cd 23.00

LOW A Lifetime Of Temporary Relief (Chairkickers' Music) 3cd + 1dvd 44.00
Low fans are a mighty loyal lot, and this box set probably needs no introduction nor explanation for them. For those less devout, this is the slowcore royal family's highly anticipated ten year retrospective collection. Perhaps a bit daunting for a Low neophyte (psst, maybe start with Secret Name first)! However instead of releasing a 'greatest hits' or 'singles' type of thing, they've opted to reward their legions (who undoubtably own all their albums already and don't need to be told what the 'best' were!) with tons of obscure musical gems and visual delights. The fifty two rarities, demos and b-sides fill up three whole discs, and an additional dvd is packed with two documentaries and videos galore. One particular track on the third disc reminded us that Low have made some bizzare (but strangely appealing) cover choices over the years, like Journey's "Open Arms" (okay... granted they did it as a wedding gift for their friends, but still!). On the other hand, Disc 2 has their positively dreamy rendition of the George Harrison penned Beatles' song "Long Long Long". Gorgeous. And an absolute necessity for any Low fan.
MPEG Stream: "Venus"
MPEG Stream: "I Started A Joke"
MPEG Stream: "Long Long Long"

LOW California (Rough Trade) 7" 4.98
Sub Pop continues their string of cd-singles and EPs drawing from their artists' recent releases... er... well, sorta. Although Low is on Sub Pop here in the U.S., across the pond their Great Destroyer album was released on Rough Trade, and that's who put this single out. And actually the cd-single is much more of a European format anyways, isn't it? So is Rough Trade following Sub Pop's lead or vice versa? Ah, what am I babbling on about?! Just need to let you know that this Low disc contains the album version of "California", an alternate, very stripped-down gorgeous version of (the already gorgeous song) "Cue The Strings" and a video for their song "Death Of A Salesman" (not on the 7" version of course).
Although it's not really all that indicative of the band's body of work as a whole, for those of you who've yet to acquaint yourselves with the wonders of Low this is a nice little samplin' to start you off.
MPEG Stream: "Cue The Strings (Alternate Version)"

LOW California (Rough Trade) cd single 4.98
Sub Pop continues their string of cd-singles and EPs drawing from their artists' recent releases... er... well, sorta. Although Low is on Sub Pop here in the U.S., across the pond their Great Destroyer album was released on Rough Trade, and that's who put this single out. And actually the cd-single is much more of a European format anyways, isn't it? So is Rough Trade following Sub Pop's lead or vice versa? Ah, what am I babbling on about?! Just need to let you know that this Low disc contains the album version of "California", an alternate, very stripped-down gorgeous version of (the already gorgeous song) "Cue The Strings" and a video for their song "Death Of A Salesman" (not on the 7" version of course).
Although it's not really all that indicative of the band's body of work as a whole, for those of you who've yet to acquaint yourselves with the wonders of Low this is a nice little samplin' to start you off.
MPEG Stream: "Cue The Strings (Alternate Version)"

LOW Christmas (Chair Kicker's Union) cd 12.98
Although the first song on this Xmas ep will surprise fans as it is Low at their most upbeat(!), the rest of this ep is vintage Low -- languid songs heavy with atmosphere and tension. Very limited, so despite the fact that it's got "Little Drummer Boy" on it, we don't really expect this to be around at Christmastime.

LOW Curtain Hits the Cast (Vernon Yard Recordings) cd 14.98

LOW Dinosaur Act (Tugboat) 7" 5.50
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Two new tracks, not sure if these will be on the upcoming album. This is a shinier happier Low, and you have to wonder if, musically speaking, that's a good thing or not. Not a trace of sinister atmosphere. UK import, limited!

LOW Dinosaur Act (Tugboat) cdep 8.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Three new tracks (one more than on the 7" version), not sure if these will be on the upcoming album. This is a shinier happier Low, and you have to wonder if, musically speaking, that's a good thing or not. Not a trace of sinister atmosphere. UK import, limited!

LOW Drums And Guns (Sub Pop) cd 13.98
After Low's 2005 album The Great Destroyer surprised the heck out of us with a startling yet splendid shift in direction into more pop song structuring, we were all curious as to where they'd go next. Well, everyone's favorite slowcore band has drifted halfway back to their former selves. We're a little disappointed to find that there aren't any of the comparatively upbeat yet dark pop numbers that populated their last album. Drums And Guns definitely maintains a consistent somber pace, but they've brought in other new elements in the form of drum machines and sampled loops. It makes their music equally lulling and hypnotic via different channels. That said, some of the gritty dissonance of The Great Destroyer does still linger. Subject matter dips heavily into a dark undercurrent of menace and violence -- glints and glimpses of guns, hatchets, poison, murderers. Need we say? Recommended.
MPEG Stream: "Pretty People"
MPEG Stream: "Belarus"
MPEG Stream: "Take Your Time"

LOW Drums And Guns (Sub Pop) lp 14.98
After Low's 2005 album The Great Destroyer surprised the heck out of us with a startling yet splendid shift in direction into more pop song structuring, we were all curious as to where they'd go next. Well, everyone's favorite slowcore band has drifted halfway back to their former selves. We're a little disappointed to find that there aren't any of the comparatively upbeat yet dark pop numbers that populated their last album. Drums And Guns definitely maintains a consistent somber pace, but they've brought in other new elements in the form of drum machines and sampled loops. It makes their music equally lulling and hypnotic via different channels. That said, some of the gritty dissonance of The Great Destroyer does still linger. Subject matter dips heavily into a dark undercurrent of menace and violence -- glints and glimpses of guns, hatchets, poison, murderers. Need we say? Recommended.
MPEG Stream: "Pretty People"
MPEG Stream: "Belarus"
MPEG Stream: "Take Your Time"

LOW I Could Live In Hope (Vernon Yard Recordings) cd 14.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.

LOW Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me (Chair Kicker's Music) cd ep 7.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
A few years back, Low played a Halloween show in Los Angeles in which they came out as the Misfits, complete with hyperbolic widow's peak, ghoulish corpse paint, and -- most shockingly -- a rather accurate performance of Misfits covers. While Low hasn't done anything with those Misfits songs since, they have cultivated an increasing repertoire of cover songs performed in their signature slow motion fashion. "Transmission" by Joy Division, "Jack Smith" by The Supreme Dicks, "Down By The River" by Neil Young, "I Started A Joke" by The BeeGees, "Lord, Can You Hear Me?" by Spacemen 3, that whole Christmas album, "Back Home Again" by John Denver, "Carnival Queen" by Jandek, and now "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me". Until they compile all of these covers onto an album like Nick Cave's "Kicking Against The Pricks," you'll have to seek them out individually.
Low really does try to out-do Morrissey's melodrama on "Last Night..." with Alan gently singing along to a quiet guitar strum over ringing feedback and an ample dose of reverb, before the band explodes in a majestic crescendo of theatrical excess. Add an original from Low and a video of the single "Dinosaur Act" off their "Things Lost In The Fire" album, and you've got yourself one fine cd single.
RealAudio clip: "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me"

LOW Long Division (Caroline) cd 14.98

LOW Low In Europe: A Film by Sebastian Schrade (Plexifilm) dvd 24.00
Not so much just a tour video, but a history of the band as well, which is surprisingly interesting and quite beautifully filmed. All the band members seem quite likable, and have interesting stuff to say about the joy of playing music, touring, the music industry, family (two band members are married and they travel with their young child). The live performances are lovely and intense. It's easy to think a band like Low would be mind numbingly boring live, but somehow it works. Reverent and hushed, the band barely move, but bathed in soft light, usually in a church, they really manage to transport the listener / viewer to some wholly other place. What's most remarkable perhaps is that all of the footage (most shot on digital video, some on super 8) manages to convey the same sort of vibe as the music: brooding, dark, slow, sparse, lugubrious, emotional, moody, almost as if the movie itself was just another Low song.

LOW Owl Remix (Vernon Yard) cd 15.98
Certainly an unlikely candidate for the seemingly ubiquitous remix, Low has received a few brilliant reworkings by likeminded slo-mo electronica superstars Porter Ricks, DJ Vadim, and Neotropic. Worth owning simply for the Porter Ricks cut which demonstrates that Andy and Thomas truly understand the slow motion minimalism of Low with this beautiful piece of delicately shifting electronics.

LOW Paris '99: Anthony, Are You Around? (P-Vine) cd 22.00
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
An album that remains one of my favorite recordings in the face of advancing technology and fancy pants studio wizardry is the Cowboy Junkies' first album "The Trinity Sessions." Recorded in an empty church directly into a stereo pair of microphones and onto tape, it's a testament to the possibilities of "live" recordings. I'd always thought that a band that deserved to be treated with this kind of engineering austerity is Low; their slow, sustained chords and harmonies can sure fill up a room beautifully as anyone who's managed to catch them live can attest to. Unfortunately "Paris '99", like the last live Low album, does not even come close to approaching the potential of Low in a live setting. Sadly, not only is the venue lacking the acoustic properties worthy of a live recording (some boxy bar in Paris), but the person recording the show was right in the middle of the room so that the enthusiastic audience is often louder than the band. Though the disc advertises "Licensed By Low" it seems hard to believe that this is a legit recording. I hope that somewhere down the line Low does authorise a live recording and chooses a decent venue, preferably empty, for its execution.
RealAudio clip: "Starfire"
RealAudio clip: "Lazy"

LOW Santa's Coming Over (Sub Pop) 7" 4.98
No stranger to crafting holiday tunes, Low's Christmas epfrom several years ago is still a big time favorite around here come wintertime. This new 7" finds Low singing about Santa Coming Over on the 'a' side while the flipside finds them getting as close to reggae as they probably ever will with "The Coming Of Jah." Beautifully and subtly packaged with white on white embossed lettering, and it comes with a coupon for free digital downloads of the tracks. A no-brainer as a stocking stuffer.

LOW Secret Name (Kranky) cd 14.98
The sixth studio album from Low is not so much a shift in songwriting but rather in production as they've employed the technical prowess of Steve Albini. By wholly avoiding the reverb drenched production that has carried over since Low's early albums recording with Kramer, Albini chooses a very sparse dry sound that exposes Mimi's and Alan's voices cracking against the beautifully languid orchestration of slow motion rock minimalism. Its end result is delicate, fragile, and gorgeous. This may very well be their best album to date!

LOW Secret Name (Kranky) 2lp 15.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
The sixth studio album from Low is not so much a shift in song writing but rather in production as they've employed the technical prowess of Steve Albini. By wholly avoiding the reverb drenched production that has carried over since Low's early albums recording with Kramer, Albini chooses a very sparse dry sound that exposes Mimi's and Alan's voices cracking against the beautifully languid orchestration of slow motion rock minimalism. Its end result is delicate, fragile, and gorgeous. This may very well be their best album to date!

LOW Songs For A Dead Pilot (Kranky) cd 11.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Low's first outing on Kranky is even more sparse than their Vernon Yard recordings...the gaping spaces in between the desolate notes create an ominous (at times...) atmosphere.

LOW Songs For A Dead Pilot (Kranky) lp 12.98
Low's first outing on Kranky is even more sparse than their Vernon Yard recordings...the gaping spaces in between the desolate notes create an ominous (at times...) atmosphere.

LOW Songs for a Dead Pilot (Kranky) lp 11.98

LOW The Great Destroyer (Sub Pop) cd 13.98
Holy smokes, talk about potent reactions! We can hear the roar of dismay from Low fans miles away in response to this new album, but hang on a second folks, don't push it aside so swiftly, give it another listen... and another! Yes, The Great Destroyer does mark a change in direction (perhaps most noticeably in tempo and the presence of crunchier guitar dissonance) for the band. The first two songs, the synth and guitar laden "Monkey" and the great poppy "California" make that perfectly clear. What this album does is confirm what we already know, that is, just what great songcraftsmiths Alan Sparhawk, Mimi Parker and Zak Sally are. However, it also makes us realize and appreciate that they really could be doing any style they choose (and doing it exceedingly well), but because they've stuck to the slowcore for so many years and so many albums, they've in a sense produced a recognizable 'product' called Low that fans know and love... and do not want to change. So it's not surprising that after twelve years and six albums, a change in Low would draw some passionate (or maybe even irate) response from fans. For those folks, we'll just say cherish your Secret Name and Long Division, but maybe find a place in your heart for The Great Destroyer too.
A tip of the hat to the band for following their artistic muse and throwing a challenging curve ball rather than simply making more of what they themselves know they can already do, and more of what they surely know their fans want. No, this album doesn't offer their trademark blanket of hushed, lulling glacialness, but the heartaching lyrical impact and stunning arrangements are still more than present. Really, it's no exaggeration to say that some of these songs will floor you! The Great Destroyer is an emotionally expansive, deeply moving and fully rewarding album. It was co-produced with David Fridmann who also after years of unmistakable grand blown-out productions (Flaming Lips, Sparklehorse, Delgados) makes some changes to his approach, showing surprising restraint particularly on songs such as the more familiar 'old-Low' sounding songs "Silver Rider" and "Death Of A Salesman". Beautiful! Highly recommended... 'nuf said.
MPEG Stream: "California"
MPEG Stream: "Silver Rider"

LOW The Great Destroyer (Sub Pop) lp 12.98
Holy smokes, talk about potent reactions! We can hear the roar of dismay from Low fans miles away in response to this new album, but hang on a second folks, don't push it aside so swiftly, give it another listen... and another! Yes, The Great Destroyer does mark a change in direction (perhaps most noticeably in tempo and the presence of crunchier guitar dissonance) for the band. The first two songs, the synth and guitar laden "Monkey" and the great poppy "California" make that perfectly clear. What this album does is confirm what we already know, that is, just what great songcraftsmiths Alan Sparhawk, Mimi Parker and Zak Sally are. However, it also makes us realize and appreciate that they really could be doing any style they choose (and doing it exceedingly well), but because they've stuck to the slowcore for so many years and so many albums, they've in a sense produced a recognizable 'product' called Low that fans know and love... and do not want to change. So it's not surprising that after twelve years and six albums, a change in Low would draw some passionate (or maybe even irate) response from fans. For those folks, we'll just say cherish your Secret Name and Long Division, but maybe find a place in your heart for The Great Destroyer too.
A tip of the hat to the band for following their artistic muse and throwing a challenging curve ball rather than simply making more of what they themselves know they can already do, and more of what they surely know their fans want. No, this album doesn't offer their trademark blanket of hushed, lulling glacialness, but the heartaching lyrical impact and stunning arrangements are still more than present. Really, it's no exaggeration to say that some of these songs will floor you! The Great Destroyer is an emotionally expansive, deeply moving and fully rewarding album. It was co-produced with David Fridmann who also after years of unmistakable grand blown-out productions (Flaming Lips, Sparklehorse, Delgados) makes some changes to his approach, showing surprising restraint particularly on songs such as the more familiar 'old-Low' sounding songs "Silver Rider" and "Death Of A Salesman". Beautiful! Highly recommended... 'nuf said.
MPEG Stream: "California"
MPEG Stream: "Silver Rider"

LOW Things We Lost in the Fire (Kranky) cd 14.98
Finally, a new full length from Low! Yet again Steve Albini is at the controls, though it seems he has loosened his production reigns a bit since Secret Name -- having wetted up the mix a bit more with the reverb that Low appreciates so. On top of that, Low continues to push their self-established, simmeringly-quiet barebones envelope by actually filling out their sound with mellotron, violins, piano, etc. But at the heart of it all, it's still the same lovely, patient Low songwriting we love. "Laser Beam" is the highlight of the album, wherein Mimi sings so purely. There's a bit of disagreement here at AQ whether these continued experiments and the new songs are more or less successful than Secret Name, so we can't give it an assertive "yay" or "nay". The jury is still out on this one.
LP has two extra non-cd tracks.
RealAudio clip: "Sunflower"
RealAudio clip: "Laser Beam"

LOW Things We Lost in the Fire (Kranky) 2lp 16.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Finally, a new full length from Low! Yet again Steve Albini is at the controls, though it seems he has loosened his production reigns a bit since Secret Name -- having wetted up the mix a bit more with the reverb that Low appreciates so. On top of that, Low continues to push their self-established, simmeringly-quiet barebones envelope by actually filling out their sound with mellotron, violins, piano, etc. But at the heart of it all, it's still the same lovely, patient Low songwriting we love. "Laser Beam" is the highlight of the album, wherein Mimi sings so purely. There's a bit of disagreement here at AQ whether these continued experiments and the new songs are more or less successful than Secret Name, so we can't give it an assertive "yay" or "nay". The jury is still out on this one.
LP has two extra non-cd tracks.

LOW Transmission EP (Vernon Yard) cd 8.98
5 songs including a Joy Division cover (which also appeared on the tribute compilation album a whiles back) and a Supreme Dicks song, but it all sounds like quintessential Low.

LOW Trust (Kranky) cd 14.98
I feel compelled to lay this on the table: I am totally, absolutely biased toward loving this album. The way I feel about Low is indelibly intertwined with the fact that my first experiences listening to them occurred in my impressionable, and typically miserable, teenage years. While many of my other favored sonic vehicles for massive teen mope fests have long been sold off and forgotten, I still treasure my Low records. This is in no small part due to the fact that they continue to release one record after another that expands and pushes their sound without abandoning the essential Low-ness that made me like them in the first place. That "Low-ness" could, at first, be simply attributed to their glacial pace and minimalist approach, but as their records become more and more lush and full, finding space for added instrumentation and songs that increasingly use the vernacular of straight up rock/pop, something else emerges as the core.
"Trust" continues the momentum established in "Secret Name" and "Things We Lost in the Fire," albeit in a way that is not as immediately graspable as those albums, both of which struck me immediately with their undeniable pop sensibility and catchiness tempered with dark themes. Where vocal-musical interplay on "Things We Lost in the Fire" resulted in an almost black-comedic bleakness, "Trust" regains a more purely somber tone (with the possible exception of the album's fuzz-rocking *hit* "Canada") that repeatedly deals with a worldview informed by ambiguous religious imagery. As Mormons, Mimi Parker and Alan Sparhawk surely have a relationship with a higher power, but through their chilling songs one gets the feeling that their god is one of impartial omnipotence and destruction as sure as one of love and creation. It is, perhaps, this exploration of the capability of life and the forces in it to deliver both tragic and beautiful moments, often simultaneously, that makes Low so fucking great.
A bit more about "Trust": Albini didn't produce this one, and there aren't any string arrangements, although the bigness of sound is still there. There's a re-emergence of a kind of minimal two-note dirge a la "Long Division" or "The Curtain Hits The Cast" (see "Candy Girl"), although the spaces that existed in the songs on those records are filled in a bit here with reverb and spacy fuzz. If you already like Low, of course you need this. If there's any tendency at all in your record collection toward the sparse and melancholic, then you need this as well, because Low has shown more versatilty and virtuosity within a potentially limiting genre than anyone else, and this album is so gorgeous it hurts.
RealAudio clip: "(That's How You Sing) Amazing Grace"
RealAudio clip: "Candy Girl"
RealAudio clip: "La La La Song"
RealAudio clip: "Time Is The Diamond"

LOW Trust (Kranky) 2lp 16.98
I feel compelled to lay this on the table: I (Marcy) am totally, absolutely biased toward loving this album. The way I feel about Low is indelibly intertwined with the fact that my first experiences listening to them occurred in my impressionable, and typically miserable, teenage years. While many of my other favored sonic vehicles for massive teen mope fests have long been sold off and forgotten, I still treasure my Low records. This is in no small part due to the fact that they continue to release one record after another that expands and pushes their sound without abandoning the essential Low-ness that made me like them in the first place. That "Low-ness" could, at first, be simply attributed to their glacial pace and minimalist approach, but as their records become more and more lush and full, finding space for added instrumentation and songs that increasingly use the vernacular of straight up rock/pop, something else emerges as the core.
"Trust" continues the momentum established in "Secret Name" and "Things We Lost in the Fire," albeit in a way that is not as immediately graspable as those albums, both of which struck me immediately with their undeniable pop sensibility and catchiness tempered with dark themes. Where vocal-musical interplay on "Things We Lost in the Fire" resulted in an almost black-comedic bleakness, "Trust" regains a more purely somber tone (with the possible exception of the album's fuzz-rocking *hit* "Canada") that repeatedly deals with a worldview informed by ambiguous religious imagery. As Mormons, Mimi Parker and Alan Sparhawk surely have a relationship with a higher power, but through their chilling songs one gets the feeling that their god is one of impartial omnipotence and destruction as sure as one of love and creation. It is, perhaps, this exploration of the capability of life and the forces in it to deliver both tragic and beautiful moments, often simultaneously, that makes Low so fucking great.
A bit more about "Trust": Albini didn't produce this one, and there aren't any string arrangements, although the bigness of sound is still there. There's a re-emergence of a kind of minimal two-note dirge a la "Long Division" or "The Curtain Hits The Cast" (see "Candy Girl"), although the spaces that existed in the songs on those records are filled in a bit here with reverb and spacy fuzz. If you already like Low, of course you need this. If there's any tendency at all in your record collection toward the sparse and melancholic, then you need this as well, because Low has shown more versatilty and virtuosity within a potentially limiting genre than anyone else, and this album is so gorgeous it hurts.

LOW You May Need A Murderer (Touch and Go) dvd 16.98
Needless to say, a must-see (and must-hear*) for Low fans! This dvd features a 2007 documentary by filmmaker David Kleijwegt which captures both private and public moments in the lives of Mimi Parker and Alan Sparhawk, otherwise known as beloved slowcore band Low. Intimate, poignant, thought-provoking and deeply moving.
*The dvd's bonus material comes in the form of six acoustic tracks (their cover of the Bee Gees' "I Started A Joke", "Done", "Dinosaur Act", Sharp-Tooth Dinosaur", Little Argument With Myself" and "Pretty People") recorded during the making of the documentary. Yes, as devastatingly beautiful and beautifully devastating as ever.

LOW & SPRING HEEL JACK Bombscare EP (Tugboat) cdep 8.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Thoroughly delightful little EP wherein Low's Mimi and Alan supply the vocals and UK electronic experimentalists Springheel Jack make the instrumental accompaniment. Clearly big Low fans, Springheel Jack have respectfully kept the music quiet and sparse... just like Low would have, only with added embellishments Low usually avoids, like ominous electronic rumbles, evocative strings, serene piano. Very pretty.

LOW / DIRTY THREE In the Fishtank (Konkurrent) cd 11.98
Yep, it's as good as you had hoped it might be. This is the Dirty Three collaborating with Low for the newest in the KonKurrent label's In the Fishtank series of releases, where artists are given two days in a Dutch studio to do whatever they like. And the result is this 30-minute six-track EP. As the liner notes correctly point out, "(t)he combination of Low's desolate open sound and the melancholy yet folky violin of Dirty Three's Warren Ellis inspired Mimi to indulge in a more crooning way of singing and Alan to play some amazing banjo." Our only complaint, however slight, is that we wish the violin had been present simulataneously *with* the vocals, instead of alternating by song, but Warren's probably too much of a violin diva to let that happen.
RealAudio clip: "I Hear..."
RealAudio clip: "Lordy"

LOW / PIANO MAGIC / TRANSIENT WAVES (Rocket Girl) 7" 4.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Lovely 7" featuring the three bands collaborating on one side, and a solo Transient Waves track on the flip. On the great new label Rocket Girl (run by Vinita from Che) -- it's a UK import so buy now or cry later.

LOW / VIBRACATHEDRAL ORCHESTRA split 7" (Misplaced Music) 7" 6.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Expensive split single from the UK. One of Low's best-loved but never-released songs, "David & Jude" is brief and starkly beautiful. The addition of Calvin Johnson on melodica is very nice. Leeds quintet Vibracathedral Orchestra offer up a cyclical groove of primitive percussion in a macabre carnival atmosphere. Worthy of your time.

LOW ANTHEM, THE Oh My God, Charlie Darwin (Nonesuch) cd 15.98
Most of the time, the cds that come with magazines are a waste of time, you might discover a song or a band, but more often than not, it's some paid promotional thing, where the bands with the most money, or at least the ones WILLING to pay, are the ones featured. But recently, Mojo magazine did an issue about the new country, or the new folk maybe it was, and included a cover cd, that we never really bothered to listen to at first, but eventually threw on, just to check it out, and BAM. It was like the best mixtape we'd ever heard. Incredible songs, great bands, perfectly sequenced, we couldn't stop listening to it. With a million songs to choose from on our iPod, we found ourselves constantly playing the Mojo comp. WTF? Fleet Foxes, Yeasayer, Iron & Wine, Alela Diane, the Dodos, Animal Collective, Akron/Family, Papercuts, The Pink Mountaintops, Vetiver, Bill Callahan, J. Tillman and these guys, The Low Anthem. Never heard of em before, but their song in particular had us smitten, a dark brooding deep folk number called "To Ohio", which is included here, and still, even after a hundred plays, has lost none of its magic. Delicate acoustic guitar, sweetly moaning cellos, and rough but warm and sweet vocals, harmonica, lovely harmonies, it's been stuck in our heads since we first heard it.
But there's plenty more. "Charlie Darwin" is another sun dappled dream folk number, but with lush lustrous falsetto vox, hushed and intimate with some super bittersweet harmonica here too. And while most of the record is on the quiet side, a super intimate affair, there are some more stompy bluegrass numbers, some almost rocking workouts, but it's never long before they settle back into something dark and languorous and dreamy. And be sure to stick around for the "To Ohio (Reprise)", which adds extra reverb and gives the song some extra bass, a muted driving rhythm, and some violin, making the song even darker and more psychedelic. So good.
MPEG Stream: "To Ohio"
MPEG Stream: "Charlie Darwin"
MPEG Stream: "Ticket Taker"
MPEG Stream: "The Horizon Is A Beltway"

LOW FREQUENCY IN STEREO, THE Futuro (Rune Grammofom) cd 17.98
We don't always know what to expect from a Rune Grammofon release, other than snazzy graphic design of course. The music is usually really nice too, but what genre? Sometimes drone, sometimes electronic, sometimes improv jazz... In this case, we still couldn't tell you after listening to the first few songs. The opening track is an instrumental, and seems like some sort of jazzy techno rock, with a dash of surfy skronk. Pretty cool, modern prog we'd guess we'd call it. It's like something on the early '70s Vertigo label given an electronica update. Then track two is glitchier and noisier - but also poppier, with sweet, finger snappin' female vocals in English. Track three introduces male vocals as well, singing about Star Trek's "Geordie La Forge" (???) over a slightly excited motorik beat. That one's a bit like a more mild mannered Circle, but gone indie rock, or something. Track four, meanwhile, is much moodier. The songs that follow incorporate all of that stuff and more... What IS this? Well, we're not entirely sure, but we know it's growing on us.
We also know that Norway's The Low Frequency In Stereo is a five piece band, everybody playing organ (among other things), plus guests including violinist Nils Okland and sax player from Ultralyd. And it seems that producer Sir Dupermann may well play a crucial role on this album as well, he's credited with "samples and sounds everywhere" and those are definitely all over the place here. TLFIS's busy pop songs are full of sound FX and samples, things like sawing strings and birdsongs and outer space electronics. While the male and female vocals are usually quite calm and melodic, the music is much more nervous and noisy. It always sorta sounds like there's a clock ticking someplace in the mix. Alongside the band's assorted guitars, throbbing bass, trumpet, piano, & all those organs, etc....
In the comparisons dep't, we can offer that maybe LFIS is like a groovier, pop version of another RG band, Shining? Referencing a couple other Norwegian acts we like, When and Salvatore, also seems valid. Throw in a little bit of the B-52s and that's getting closer to what's going on here. Recommended, though we'd have probably preferred it if they'd done all the singing in Norwegian, for added mystery.
MPEG Stream: "Turnpike"
MPEG Stream: "Texas Fox"
MPEG Stream: "Sparkle Drive"

LOW FREQUENCY IN STEREO, THE Futuro (Rune Grammofom) lp 19.98
We don't always know what to expect from a Rune Grammofon release, other than snazzy graphic design of course. The music is usually really nice too, but what genre? Sometimes drone, sometimes electronic, sometimes improv jazz... In this case, we still couldn't tell you after listening to the first few songs. The opening track is an instrumental, and seems like some sort of jazzy techno rock, with a dash of surfy skronk. Pretty cool, modern prog we'd guess we'd call it. It's like something on the early '70s Vertigo label given an electronica update. Then track two is glitchier and noisier - but also poppier, with sweet, finger snappin' female vocals in English. Track three introduces male vocals as well, singing about Star Trek's "Geordie La Forge" (???) over a slightly excited motorik beat. That one's a bit like a more mild mannered Circle, but gone indie rock, or something. Track four, meanwhile, is much moodier. The songs that follow incorporate all of that stuff and more... What IS this? Well, we're not entirely sure, but we know it's growing on us.
We also know that Norway's The Low Frequency In Stereo is a five piece band, everybody playing organ (among other things), plus guests including violinist Nils Okland and sax player from Ultralyd. And it seems that producer Sir Dupermann may well play a crucial role on this album as well, he's credited with "samples and sounds everywhere" and those are definitely all over the place here. TLFIS's busy pop songs are full of sound FX and samples, things like sawing strings and birdsongs and outer space electronics. While the male and female vocals are usually quite calm and melodic, the music is much more nervous and noisy. It always sorta sounds like there's a clock ticking someplace in the mix. Alongside the band's assorted guitars, throbbing bass, trumpet, piano, & all those organs, etc....
In the comparisons dep't, we can offer that maybe LFIS is like a groovier, pop version of another RG band, Shining? Referencing a couple other Norwegian acts we like, When and Salvatore, also seems valid. Throw in a little bit of the B-52s and that's getting closer to what's going on here. Recommended, though we'd have probably preferred it if they'd done all the singing in Norwegian, for added mystery.
MPEG Stream: "Turnpike"
MPEG Stream: "Texas Fox"
MPEG Stream: "Sparkle Drive"

LOW ON HIGH s/t (self-released) cd 8.98
Amy Davis and Jon Moritsugu are on the loose again! You might be more familiar with their combined coolness via other avenues - Amy's stylin' art and graphic design (she was a regular contributor to Paper Magazine for years and years) and Jon's ultra punk indie films (Mod Fuck Explosion, Scum Rock, Fame Whore to name a few!). Never ones to shy away from a creative whim or flight of fancy, nor ones to ever be pinned down. This time they're whippin' up an indie rock fun storm in their new band Low On High. Over the past decade they've hopped from here in SF to Hawaii to a tiny island in the Pacific Northwest and are now settled in New Mexico... all pretty chill locales, yes? But the raucous music they're makin' still sounds deeply rooted with one foot in the big city lip-glossy glitzy fashionista scenes. Moritsugu tackles the guitar while Davis plays bass and delivers most of the vocals in a druggy, woozy petulant swoon. Very DIY, free spirited, and more than a little rough around the edges, Low On High is very reminiscent of early '90s lo-fi pop rawk, and inspired by the likes of Sonic Youth, Jesus And Mary Chain and grrrl punk. Noisy distorted tunes with a candy crunch core and glamor puss accessories!
MPEG Stream: "Crush"
MPEG Stream: "C'est LA"

LOW RED LAND Dog's Hymn (GMR Thread) cd 11.98
Here's the sophomore album from SF's Low Red Land! It finds the band traversing more rocky and turbulent territory than on their 2006 debut Weight Of Nations. Dog's Hymn is laden with far stormier moods, darker tones, and increasingly weathered vocals. Layers of churning post rock guitar lines build densely overcast atmospheres. Overall, still very emotively reminiscent of Doug Martsch (both in Treepeople and Built To Spill) in its cathartic delivery especially on tracks such as "Better Angels" and "West Texas", but also brings to mind The Weakerthans or a more rocked up Mountain Goats. Good stuff!
MPEG Stream: "Dog's Hymn"
MPEG Stream: "Better Angels"

LOW RED LAND Weight Of Nations (self-released) cd 11.98
This is the debut album from Bay Area indie rockers Low Red Land. The band wastes no time in stepping up to the plate to take a swing at the emotive smart pop ball being played by the likes of Pinback, Built To Spill, and Modest Mouse. Plenty of punch, big fuzzy guitars, emo boy vocals and some nice rhythmic twists.
MPEG Stream: "Dreams That Heroes Dream"
MPEG Stream: "You're Alive"

LOW SKIES I Have Been To Beautiful Places (Flameshovel) cd 14.98

MPEG Stream: "Five's Gone Quiet"
MPEG Stream: "Pull It Over"

LOWBROW READER OF LOWBROW COMEDY, THE Issue #4 - Fall 2004 magazine 3.00
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
The humorful fourth issue of the New York based mag The Lowbrow Reader features an article written by Neil Michael Hagerty titled My TV Don't Work No More: A Tribute To 'Wings'... yes, the tv show not the band! Another highlight is an interview with journalist Margeaux Watson about her experiences interviewing Ol' Dirty Bastard. There's also writings about Larry David and Jackie Mason, a handful of haiku and assorted comics and illustrations packed into the 32 pages. Neat!

LOWBROW READER OF LOWBROW COMEDY, THE Issue #5 - Summer 2006 magazine 3.00
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
It's been a bit of a wait since the last issue of this New York comedy themed mag was published back in the fall of 2004, but the slightly more biting Issue 5 was well worth the wait! Neil Michael Hagerty reappears with his tribute to Don Knotts. There's a comicstrip about a visit by Jack White to the editor's apartment for a Time Out New York interview, as well as a couple of articles unfurling the pros and cons of Chevy Chase. A wry, entertaining read.

LOWBROW READER OF LOWBROW COMEDY, THE Issue #6 - Summer 2008 magazine 3.00
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Well, although the date on the latest issue of The Lowbrow Reader says "summer" and it's barely spring, we can appreciate LBR's eagerness for the warmth of the sun. Heck, we were just as eager to receive this long awaited comedy-centric mag! New Yorkers Jay Ruttenberg and Neil Hagerty (yes, that Neil Hagerty!) are the driving forces behind this 36-page witzine. Included are editorials on Gene Wilder and overlooked comedies, as well as a survey asking celebrity folks (Patton Oswalt, Randy Newman, and John Waters among them) the question: "What Should We Do With America's CEOs? As always, cleanly laid out and well illustrated so that your chuckles, laffs and guffaws can be let loose unencumbered.

LOWBROW READER OF LOWBROW COMEDY, THE Issue #7 - Summer/Fall 2009 magazine 3.00
Finally a new issue of this dandy New York zine! Neil Michael Hagerty (y'know, of Royal Trux, Howling Hex, etc.) is still the "writer at large" for this wry, wit filled tome, and this time he's joined in Lowbrow Reader land by David and Shelley Berman (aka Silver Jews) among a dozen or so other contributors. This issue features editorials on comedians Don Rickles and John Mulaney, articles about novelist Gilbert Rogin, overlooked comedy flicks circa 1968 through 1983. Always a good, entertaining read and re-read! 32 pages.

LOWDOWN Revolver II (Strange Attractors Audio House) cd 13.98

LOWDOWN, THE Y Is A Crooked Letter (Zum) cd 11.98

LOWE, FRANK & EUGENE CHADBOURNE Don't Punk Out (Emanem) cd 19.98