Songs for a Dead Pilot [EP]

Low | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 6, 1997)
• Original Release Date: November 20, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: EP
• Label: Kranky
• ASIN: B000001PWA
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #300,198 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Limited vinyl LP pressing of this 1997 EP from the Indie rockers. The mood on Songs is almost overwhelmingly somber and, like much of the band's music, often develops at a glacial pace. Bringing time to a crawl, the band exposes the silence and space in the music to great, occasionally thrilling effect. Low's drama is created in the gaps between guitar chords and snare hits. Engineering their own record allowed the members of Low the freedom to experiment. --This text refers to the Vinyl edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly Classic, October 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Songs for a Dead Pilot (Audio CD)

This was my first Low album and is still, so far, my favorite. The total starkness of the sound on this record is captivating in a way that is totally unique. Down by the Wires is one of the most astonishing songs I've heard in a while: the essence of slowcore boiled down to an impossibly slow tempo. I find this record much more arresting than earlier Low (although those records are good too, of course).

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as their full lengths, but still a classic, May 27, 2003

By 

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

This review is from: Songs for a Dead Pilot (Audio CD)

Although this is a fantastic release, I wouldn't recommend this as someone's first exposure to Low. If you're just now getting into Low, get Secret Name first but make sure you get this once you've gotten into the band's style. Although there is some classic Low here, there's just enough music on this release that's different from what Low usually does that it's not an accurate glimpse at the band as a whole.

First of all, the lanscape on the cover perfectly captures the feel of the ep. This is perfect music to listen to if you're snowed in. It feels very cold and desolate, but very moving at the same time.

The first track is a good example of the weirdness on the disk. Will the Night is a song off of Secret Name, but here you can only hear a droning guitar/keyboard notes and the vocals, but they're buried under twenty feet of reverb. Condescend is one of my favorite Low songs. Very simple, incredibly sad sounding guitar and string quartet underneath one of Mimi's most moving vocal performances. Born by the Wires has a darker sounding guitar melody contrasted by some higher pitched singing by Alan before turning into a long droning guitar-only conclusion. Be There is mostly keyboard music, which is uncharacteristic of Low, but sounds great with the muted drumming. Landlord is another drag your feet classic with a wonderful sense of strangely comforting dread and remorse. Hey Chicago finishes things up nicely with a relatively warmer sounding song with really pretty male/female vocals.

All in all, this is a great release from a terribly underrated band that keeps make essential records for those of us with attention spans longer than two minutes.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars For fans, August 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Songs for a Dead Pilot (Audio CD)

Fans of Low will enjoy the drawn-out exporation and experimentation on this one. None of the songs jump out the way they should. Luckily, on "Secret Name" the band took these nascent experiments to sonic heights. Newcomers should save this for later and head straight for "Secret Name"

Oh yeah, if you have a chance to attend a live show, DO IT!