The Low Lows – Shining Violence
I was right to be excited about this – it’s bloody marvellous. All dusty guitar noise and distant, distressed vocal, this reminds me in parts of the likes of Band of Horses and Grandaddy, but also of more feedback-heavy, de-tuned stuff along the lines of Sparklehorse.
There’s a foreboding air to the album, almost like a distant storm brewing in the dusty Arizona desert. Yep, dusty again, sorry. It’s not a million miles away from the atmosphere conjured by Willy Vlautin’s wonderful Richmond Fontaine, although further from Calexico and perhaps a little closer to the Jesus & Mary Chain.
The constant fuzz of the background keeps things simmering away, but it’s not as one-paced as you might think for something with such a ubiquitous undercurrent. Five Ways I Didn’t Die might not be quite Top of the Pops fodder, but it’s a bloody enjoyable pop song in its own de-tuned way, and Raining in Eva is the sort of nostaligic, rueful oboe-licked meander that could easily have issued from the pen of the likes of Tom Waits, had he been dust-bowl hobo rather than an LA boho.
Those of you looking for something pleasant for dinner parties should steer clear, but if you like the sound of a record that treads the line between tense and angry, and wistful and redemptive then have a go at this. It’s a lovely, lovely album.
The Low Lows – Five Ways I Didn’t Die
The Low Lows – Modern Romance
I just ordered this because of your review. sounds exactly what I want to hear!
Excellent stuff. Bart and his cronies are supporting them when they play at Henry’s in a month or two – fancy going along?
Apparently they are brilliant live.
oh yes, I will be there. what say we meet for a few socials before hand also and put the world to rights?
excited about this album now.
Beer you say? Never touch the stuff.
i.e. excellent plan!
sweet. but I didn’t mention the word beer…….alcy!
Don’t you guys have mobile numbers?
Or e-mail?
We’re talking about The Low Lows, Bart, fuck off.
I’m noticing a regular pattern on this site. seems like everytime me and bart get involved in a conversation the quality of chat goes down hill quickly…..
either of you clowns fancy going to see vetiver at the arches in may?
Who?
I’ve not heard of any of these bands.
I thought this was meant to be a blog about amphibians?
Vetiver are supposed to be dead good aren’t they? I never quite got into the album, if I remember, but it definitely came highly recommended.
I hope The Low Lows never read this review. This comment thread will depress them.
To Find Me Gone is a lovely album – saw them supporting Adem a while back as well and they were really good. I’d highly recommende them, the way you have the Low Lows – and that muppet Bart also highly recommends the Low Lows so if the Low Lows do read this then they will realise there’s a whole lot of Low Lows love going on here in actual fact.
That was a Low blow, Euan.
Jesus.
sorry to interrupt, but I bought the album today on the back of this review and mp3s and it’s bloody marvellous. Nice one, Mr Toad.
Thanks Ledge. And many thanks for getting this thread back on track. I assume they must be playing Manchester as well?
No. It seems they’ll be making their way up North via the eastern side of the Pennines, visiting York and Hull on the way. Craziness.