Customer Reviews

Secret Name

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.)

I don't think I'll ever understand all the hype surrounding Low's Things We Lost In The Fire. While it's a solid release, for my money, this album beats it in every possible way. This is without a doubt my favorite Low album, the perfect bridge between the minimalism of their early releases and the experimentation they've done since then.

Strings, tympani, and piano have been added to their signature guitar-bass-minimal drums trio sound, and they perfectly color every wonderful song. A few experiments with sampling ("I Remember" and "I Don't Understand") also work out pretty well. But moreso than the sounds, it's the songs themselves that make Secret Name so good. "Starfire" may be slow and low key, but it's as good of a pop song as they've ever written. "Weight Of Water" and "Missouri" showcase their religious beliefs without ever feeling preachy. "Will The Night" and "Home" perfectly close an album full of beautiful guitar tones and gorgeous harmonies. But as far as I'm concerned, the real treat here is "Two-step," which might just be the best song they've ever recorded. The voices of Alan (guitar) and his wife Mimi (drums) perfectly compliment each other on this stunning song that is worth the price of the CD by itself.

Low have fast (how ironic) become one of my favorite bands, and they have a number of amazing albums. But if you only own one CD of theirs (which I think would be a tragic mistake), you would be wise to make it Secret Name.

First heard Low's "I can't remember" off the album "Secret Name" on John Peels (Radio 1) show. Attracted by the first track of the Album, hooked by the others, from the heavenly vocals of "Two Step" to the heart piercing melodies of the violin played in "Will The Night". Havent listened to any of thier other albums but, hopefully they will live up to my ideals. This is that album that your brain has been searching for on those long "come downs", a little break from all that dance music and a real gem BUY IT !

On this new release, Low do not deviate from their well-rehersed formula for making music. The pondering and melodic basslines, lazily strummed guitar, and the gentle taps of a cymbal and snare drum once again combine for some special moments. Add to that the soft, pretty voices of Al and Mimi, and their at times cryptic, at others obvious lyrics and what results are some wonderful songs. Low have added some keyboards and strings to several songs, and additionally "Soon" is played on an acoustic guitar. These additions are welcome, and prevent the band's formula from wearing thin after five years. I interviewed Low for my fanzine about four years ago, and wrote that their music was perfectly suited for those cold, snowy winter days when you are walking through the woods and all you can here is the sound of snow scrunching up underneather your boots. Their music did, and still does conjure up visions of isolation and solitude. Low, however, are able to tap into the beauty of those times and feelings, and that is their real strength.

what i like most about low is the atmosphere they create and the mood they put me in. this is actually one of my favourite ever albumns. the song s are different from their earlier stuff; "...dead pilot" etc., in that they are perhaps a little more classically structured. the songs seem to touch me on a personal level, as opposed to a sub-conscious one. no i'm not saying the others put me to sleep, it's just the best way i can think of describiing this honest, humble recording.

This album is superb. Low understands things about emotion, intensity and true heaviness that most of today's next-big-things could only wish to grasp in the most superfluous way. They are groundbreakers in songwriting and musical execution, true geniuses, and ironically at times, both the beast and beauty. Listen to "Starfire" and "Soon," they are two of the most amazing recordings I've ever heard. They will grab your soul and not let go.

Low continued to grow its' indie fan base with the beautiful SECRET NAME, released in 1999. This album continues their wonderful explorations of sound and silence-often more of the latter. This band is unbelievable. Low truly knows how to get just the right sound-their quiet introspection and eerie moodiness couples perfectly with their slow tempos. This results in songs that force you to slow *yourself* down and listen to what is going on. If you need to relax and forget everything else, put on a Low disc.

SECRET NAME contains its share of beauties, the opener "I Remember" is pretty creepy while "Starfire" sounds almost like something a teenager might record in his or her bedroom on their boombox. It has a lilting quality to it despite the sorrowful strings in the background. "Two-Step" is a beautiful showcase for Mimi Parker's restrained optimism while "Weight Of Water" is equally depressing. "Don't Understand" is a throwaway, an instrumental with loops a la the Beatles "Tomorrow Never Knows". It has no lyrics and serves no purpose. It sounds like it would fit better on a SQUAREPUSHER or recent RADIOHEAD album. "Soon", "Immune", and "Lion/Lamb" are just *gorgeous*. The simple chordal structures work perfectly. "Home" is lovely, with its string backing. Overall SECRET NAME is a powerful album, done by slo-core's banner-wavers.

Recommended.

slowcore darlings, Low have always been a special kind of band with a unique, although limited appeal. their songs are deep and simple with some beautiful instrumentation and a fragile sense of melody. but they have a gift to write warm melodies that slip and slide so slowly like a whisper or a breeze. "Weight Of Water", "Will The Night", and "Immune" are all genuinely moving songs with a grasp of depth and subtle dynamics that showcase a fabulous mood.