#17 - Ryan & Steve

Low

Things We Lost in the Fire

2001

Hailing from Duluth, MN, Low at the time of this record was the husband/wife Alan Sparhawk, Mimi Parker and their bassist Zak Sally. Low creates delicate, sparse and wintry songs that perfectly reflect the northern port city they call home. With "Things We Lost in the Fire", Low's second record on independent label mainstay, Kranky, they've created a singular statement of their intent. Originally conceived as something of a prank contrast to the loud, grungy post-punk bands in Duluth at the time, Low set out to turn it all down and stretch the give the songs some space. While not being the first to set their music to glacial pacing, Low certainly defined the unfortunately-dubbed 'slowcore' movement.

This album in particular is an ideal introduction to the group as it accurately captures their essence and their unique sonic subtlety. Starting the record off with one of their most enduring and popular songs, "Sunflower". It's a beautiful and haunting composition talking of a heart-breaking moment of death and reverence, "When they found your body / Giant X's on your eyes / With your half of the ransom / You bought some sweet, sweet, sweet / Sweet sunflowers / And gave them to the night". Later, joined by the warm hum of strings and piano strokes, "Like A Forest" beautifully ruminates on wasted breath, hurt relationships and Low's ever-present self-analysis and guilt. Like an empathetic, misty-eyed friend, Low is emotionally-naked and hoping for some love. -S.R.

You know how oftentimes people’s favorite song on an album is the slow ballad right in the middle that gives the record a change of pace? Well imagine a whole album of those songs… now those powerful ballads aren’t so powerful anymore. In fact, they’re just the opposite – they become quite irritating and feel soulless. Unfortunately, nobody told this to Low, who have produced the longest 52-minute album I have ever heard. Disappointing, to say the least. - Phil