Secret Name

Low

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 6, 1999)
• Original Release Date: March 30, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Kranky
• ASIN: B00000IAD0
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #132,260 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Fifth album on Kranky Records by this alternative trio, recorded with a string section, timpani & piano. 12 tracks all produced by Steve Albini. 1999 release.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Low's Masterpiece, May 28, 2003

By	Lee L. (Washington DC) - See all my reviews

In the progression of Low albums, this record marks a significant change for the Duluth trio. Their first three full lengths, while all filled with wonderful songs, sound quite similar. On Secret Name, Low switches to Kranky as their label, and Albini as their producer. The results are incredible. This is Low coming into their own. This album shows incredible growth and a very noticable improvement in song writing and sound experimentation. They've kept living up to expectations whith their later records in my mind, but this album marks the change and it will stick with you.

I won't go into great details about each song, but this record has the highest concentration of classic Low songs of all their releases. I have yet to meet a fan that doesn't put at least three songs from Secret Name in their top-five favorite Low song list. The progression of Two-Step, Weight of Water, Missouri (sung misery), and Don't Understand is almost too much to take. Beautiful vocal harmonies and some of the most simple, but moving melodies that I've heard in a long time make up these songs.

Low always gets described as a sad sounding band, and this record is the best reason for this. However, I would disagree with this label. Low aren't for sad depressed people, they're for people with longer than average attention spans who like to sit and reflect. People that want tangible substance in their music. If you're one of these people, Low won't make you feel sad. They'll make you feel better.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So easy. Anyone could have done it., September 16, 1999

By A Customer

Unreal. This band is getting the beautiful sound bands have struggled to obtain by spending more and more money in the studio, hiring orchestras, and getting the best producers. Difference is, Low is just laying out some tracks. This album sounds like it was recorded in a few hours. But it is so beautiful I can't put it away. Great music if you like to listen to slow stuff. If you don't maybe you should.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Secret treasure, August 18, 1999

By A Customer

I have been a fan of Low since "Long Division." This album harks back to their earlier work -- almost baroque compared to the nakedness of some tracks from "Songs for a Dead Pilot." Particularly mesmerising is "Two Step" and "Weight of Water" -- reminiscent of listening to my mom vacuum on a rainy day, with Carole King playing on the stereo.(and I mean that in a good way.)