Slowcore

I've been pretty remiss of late regarding this blog, although as I am now at home recovering from a pretty serious car accident, I have (a seemingly endless amount of ) time in which to post to the world my sonic adventures.
                   Of the many great things I have been listening to recently are a band called Low (in particular, the As The Curtain Hits The Cast album), who I first heard at Christmas with a deeply uncharacteristc, albeit ace, festive track which I think once featured on the OC. The band were formed in 1993, and are from Duluth, Minnesotta - Great Lakes territory.The two constant members are Alan Sparhawk (guitar vocals), and Mimi Spencer (vocals, percussion). Their bassist changes regularly. Anyway, the interesting thing about this band of contradictions is that its based upon a husband and wife duo and, weirder still, they are practising Mormons.
                  Just take a listen to say, Lust, and you will see that they ain't exactly Cliff Richard. Critics have used the vaguely hilarious terms "slowcore" and "sadcore" to describe their sound, which is certainly slow and sad but I'm not sure about the "core", haha. It takes minmalism to new levels. Bleak, sparsely strummed, clean electric guitar and vocals dominate. Drums are mostly played with a brush. Indeed, the band's sound was apparently partly a reaction against the grunge aesthetic of the day: they turn their amps up, we turn ours down. So they stand apart thats for sure, rebellious in their own idiosyncratic way.
                                             Anyway, the music has an amaizngly insular and atmospheric feel to it. I can see this ageing well as there are no stylistic indulgences. Simply guitar and voice, but the results are incredible. I'm not sure how their faith informs the art, but it is pitch black both musically and lyrically. Perhaps it is in the discipline, their rigid adherence to the creed of lo fi.
 Anyway, it sounds like the communion of two tortured and beautiful souls, apart from the world. Its utterly enchanting and escapist, whilst so quiet you notice every nuance, every string slide and whispered shard of meaning. An intimate and unsettling experience.
                            
Just listen to this and close your eyes.

Pointless Trivia Section:

 Sparhawk suffered a severe mental breakdown in 2005 believing he was the devil.
 People often watch their gigs stting on the floor.
 They are still married with two children.
 They are adored by critics and fellow musicians, I only heard of them via the most recent issue of Uncut      where Wlilco's guitarist, Nels Cline, sung their praises.

Oh and they are also playing Trinity Arts Centre Bristol on the 20th of May, if anyone's interested n going with a semi- invalid let me know!