First, I know that there is a thread for Low's 2007 release, Drums and Guns, but a la FKA, I wanted to to get everyone's opinion on their entire catalog.

Second, this is also going to serve as an apology to Low from me. As I've stated in other threads, I was never keen on their brand of (pardon my genre-nazi-ism) slowcore. I was a college DJ right around the time these guys were first getting a lot of the accolades in the indie-press. At the time, I was over sad music. I listened almost exclusively to upbeat stuff, and I never wanted the music I listened to bring me (or my audience) down.

A couple of years ago, Low side-stepped their traditional approach to music and released a pop-gem of a record called The Great Destroyer (blasphemy to you Low purists, I'm sure). I quickly fell in love with that record and it made my top 10 for that year. Still, I was unconvinced that I needed to revisit those old, boring Low records. That changed this year when I heard "Murderer" off of Drums and Guns (thanks MajorNougat!). That song convinced me that I needed to check out the album. I bought it, listened to it once and thought, "Meh?" Then I listened to it a few more times, and it really started to creep under my skin (in a good way). It will certainly make my top 20 and may even sneak into my top 10.

That did it. I was off to revisit their back catalog with fresh ears. So far I've gotten Long Division, Christmas EP, Secret Name and Things We Lost In the Fire. Of those, I think TWLITF is the best, but they are all very good. I think the one song that has really leapt out at me is "Immune" which will eventually make it's way onto my favorite songs of the 90s list.

So anyway, enough babbling. Let's get on with the poll, shall we?

Question:
What's Your Favorite Low Album and Why?

Choices:
I Could Live in Hope (1994)
Long Division (1995)
The Curtain Hits the Cast (1996)
Secret Name (1999)
Things We Lost in the Fire (2001)
Trust (2002)
The Great Destroyer (2005)
Drums and Guns (2007)

 

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Maximum Jack,

I can't quite post on this poll just yet, but I've been enjoying their Christmas EP. I'm out of the country for Christmas so I loaded up on holiday music (that wouldn't make me puke) and their EP has been doing quite nicely.

I have The Great Destroyer on standby, though, so maybe I'll get into their stuff soon. Work's kind of been getting in the way of me listening to music these days.

Things We Lost in the Fire is my favorite album of the millenium thus far, so you know what my answer is. The only album on that I list that I actually mildly dislike is the Great Destroyer everything else ranges from solid to fucking mindblowing.

I love "The Geat Destroyer" as well. I'm planning to give "Things We Lost in the Fire" and "Drums and Guns" a couple more spins, but so far I haven't gotten in to those yet.

quote:

Originally posted by SexyPandaBearGod:
The only album on that I list that I actually mildly dislike is the Great Destroyer...

Same here. Bought it when it came out and listened to it countless times, but just could not get into it. Things We Lost in the Fire gets my vote.

quote:

Originally posted by hark, the ImmovableMotorist:

quote:

Originally posted by SexyPandaBearGod:
The only album on that I list that I actually mildly dislike is the Great Destroyer...

Same here. Bought it when it came out and listened to it countless times, but just could not get into it. Things We Lost in the Fire gets my vote.

It really is interesting that these are the only two albums to receive votes thus far. They almost seem like two different bands.

I voted for I could live in hope. I bought that at a time when I hadn't heard anything even remotely like it, and it really blew me away. I picked it up because I liked the cover. I had no idea what it would sound like, but I played it a lot for about a year solid. I don't listen to any of their albums much anymore, but that will probably always be my favorite.

I found The Curtain Hits the Cast at a local radio 4th of July (or Cherry Days, as it is celebrated in my home town)sale. Somehow I think I had gotten hold of a Godspeed You Black Emperor!/Low live mp3. and so I grabbed it. It's been a long time since I've listened to that record, but I remember loving it. It's due for another listen soon.

i voted for things we lost in the fire. Like you said MJF, The Great Destroyer was like blasphemy for me
TWLINF is in my top ten of the millenium

"Trust" is my favorite Low release, followed extremely closely by "Things We Lost..." However, this year I listened to "Drums & Guns" enough that I believe it may eventually reach the heights of their past albums: it's just that good.

quote:

Originally posted by brainofp:
i voted for things we lost in the fire. Like you said MJF, The Great Destroyer was like blasphemy for me

Man I just listened to The Great Destroyer again, and it is chock full of brilliant songs. I feel sorry for those of you who refuse to get in touch with your pop side.

I finally saw them live this year and my infatuation became love. They are now in my all-time favorite bands, I can't get enough. I think if I had heard The Great Destroyer first it would be my favorite, but Trust will always hold that place for me..."Amazing Grace" still sends shivers down my spine. I have their entire catalog finally and feel like it holds up better than almost any other bands complete work quite well.

Well, I completely missed this thread. Drums and Guns was actually my introduction to Low, so they've been one of my great discoveries for this year. I didn't vote because I'm still working on much of their prior catalog, but both Drums and Guns and TWLITF have become favorites of mine for the decade. I was actually a little slower to come around to TWLITF, but it just gets better every time I listen to it.

there's a Low documentary available for viewing through streaming on a dutch website.
Go to http://sites.nps.nl/jerome/templates/uurvandewolf/welcome.html and click on the right hand side on 'LOW >> Bekijk de uitzending' if you wanna watch.
Don't know how long it will stay there, so sorry if it's gone.
also non dutch people don't let the dutch intro put you off, the rest is all in english