|
 |
LowThe Great Destroyer Sub Pop/Stomp For most of Low's career they've been easily - and not unreasonably - characterised as the slowest and saddest of all bands (Sunflowers, which opens 'Things We Lost In The Fire', still damn near kills me every time I hear it), but early word on 'The Great Destroyer' was that it was their Rock album. And indeed it is, but before purists sink into a morass of alterna-slowcore despair they should note that it's "rock" only in relation to their previous records: there's still a whole lot of subtlety and gentle beauty here. Monkey begins the album with a statement of intent: a sustained note interrupted by thumping toms and a sinister chorus of "Tonight you will be mine / Tonight the monkey dies". It's not only the best song Low have ever done, I don't expect to hear a better song this year: there's something about hearing Alan and Mimi Parker sing "it's a suicide / shut up and drive" that sends shivers down the spine. Everybody's Song is by far the most aggressive thing the trio have recorded, with slabs of guitars over Mimi's thwacking snare which sounds for all the world like a madman bashing a plate of steel; then Just Stand Back wrong-foots the listener by being a pleasant old-school indie pop song. However, the album's stunning centrepiece Silver Rider is the gentle, haunting and heartbreaking Low of old, while On The Edge Of maintains the mood but ups the intensity. Cue The Strings is another highlight, with strong harmonies over minimal backing and When I Go Deaf starts off as a country lament before being interrupted by a dirty, distorted slide guitar that Jon Spencer would be proud of - and does Alan really sing "I am the walrus, darling," on Step? Those who were drawn in by Low's sustained melancholia might be initially perturbed by 'The Great Destroyer', but give it a few listens and you'll soon realise that it's still unmistakably Low: there's still that unique interplay between the Parkers' voices, the inspired and uncluttered arrangements - and, most of all, the songs. And oh, what songs they are...  |
|
The latest issue available now!     |
All content copyright dB Magazine