After two self-released albums, The Low Anthem broke through in 2008 with the acclaimed Oh My God, Charlie Darwin. After three years they are back with 'songs of fear, cruelty and redemption'. At least, that's what they call it themselves in the booklet accompanying this CD. The Rhode Island group moved into an abandoned factory to record this album. It was winter and freezing cold during the
… recording. Perhaps the cold is the reason for Ben Knox Miller's shivering vocals in the first two songs. The group seems relieved when they can exchange the fragile folk for some heavier indie rock in the noisy Boeing 737. Still, the atmosphere at Smart Flesh is largely subdued and pastoral. It produces silent music, which nevertheless manages to draw the listener's attention. The Low Anthem puts ancient American folk traditions in a hip jacket without the music losing any of its persuasiveness. That's good. (PdK)more
