****
The beauty of Low's latest 12-track album lies in the band's ability to make stark, lonely vocals and minimal guitar, bass and percussion accompaniment sound extraordinarily large. Resting somewhere between ambient and folk, the melodies on "The Curtain Hits the Cast" are subtle and sleepy. Percussion whispers behind bass, which sounds above the murmur like a heartbeat.
The combination of these instruments culminates into wave after wave of a bittersweet emotion which comes and goes, much like the vocals split between drummer / singer Mimi Parker and guitarist / singer Alan Sparhawk. Tracks like "The Plan" sound like a music-box lullaby for a breakup, with Parker's soothing voice repeating "Can I hold it far away," accompanied only by the low echo of guitars and slow drumming.
It is difficult to describe the combination of sound and silence that Low creates. There are moments, such as on the fourth track, "Mom Says," when the music is barely audible. Then again, tracks like "Lust" and "Do You Know How to Waltz" prove the fullness of their vocals and instrumentation, making for a delirious listen.
Low's music is original and sentimental. Just when they reach their peak, the bottom falls out and the listener is left in a barely murmuring musical chamber. "The Curtain Hits the Cast" is an album stripped of the typical layers of bombastic bass and guitars, which is replaced by a bare emotion pulled taut by the band's intensely quiet approach to creating music.
"The Curtain Hits the Cast" shines with a trance-like quality of beautiful sadness far beyond the typical in-your-face vocals and emotion of most bands.
- Shannon O'Neill
***
This is a compilation of songs off the Cows' AmRep albums previous to "Cunning Stunts." And this is a pretty good way for most people to get some access to some of the finest songs of the Cows' early career. A gargantuan 23-track CD that is worth its price in volume alone, both of songs and on the knob on your stereo.
The comp starts off with the utterly grotesque "Shaking," and it's more or less a best of continuation from there. The bass of "Part My Konk" circles like a vulture around your head whether it's the first time you've heard it or the hundredth. "Bum in the Alley" is a special blend of chaos that will make you want to go to a Cows show and hear it screamed out live by frontman Shannon Selberg. Ditto for "Whitey in the Woodpile" and "Hitting the Wall."
Additionally, there are a ton of brilliant slower songs that grind out a keen blend of musical filets. Too fast to waltz, too slow to slam, you just have to stand there with a slackened jaw. Drool to "Big Mickey" or "3 Way Lisa."
This is a really good compilation of stuff. Oddly, there are five albums and various tracks that aren't on this puppy. These songs are from more of a four year period than a 10 year one like the title says. They're so difficult sometimes. Oh well, if you're interested in the Cows, this is probably the best value for your money. Just remember, their new stuff is even better.
- Ted Watts
Low looks depressed.