The Low Anthem | Smart Flesh

Nonesuch (2011)
By MIRIAM LAMEY  |  February 23, 2011
3.0 3.0 Stars

Low 
For those eager to see that indie-folk cherry get popped, the Low Anthem's latest should be the lucky one to do the deed. With their come-hither instrumentation and sonic diversity, this band produce wonderful sounds that could seduce even the hardest black-metal heart. (Editor's note: see Hekseri, above.) The introspective "Burn" is full of twinkling banjo and weeping musical saw; the campfire ditty "Apothecary Love" is punctuated by longing slide-guitar accents that weave under tight harmonics. Those who need a point of reference can couch "Boeing 737" in Neutral Milk Hotel territory - the track is replete with crashing cymbals and insistent, bleating brass. Yet for the most part, the Low Anthem forge their own accessible and sophisticated mood-driven path, as with the lone, lost oboe that intensifies the sadness in single "Ghost Woman Blues," and the sunny guitars combined with throaty organ chords that uplift the CSNY-like "Hey All You Hippies!" With its intelligent instrumentation and the courage of its indie-rock production-value convictions, Smart Flesh won't just set many a lonely heart aflutter - it will stick around in the morning to make breakfast.
Related: Mandolin Fest, Photos: Built To Spill at the Paradise Rock Club, Suuns | Zeroes QC, More more >
  Topics: CD Reviews , Music, New England, The Low Anthem,  More more >
| More


Most Popular
ARTICLES BY MIRIAM LAMEY
Share this entry with Delicious
  •   ART BRUT | BRILLIANT! TRAGIC!  |  May 25, 2011
    On Art Brut's third album, Eddie Argos can't decide if he wants to be Jarvis Cocker or Sid Vicious.  
  •   FREDRICK | FLORA  |  April 13, 2011
    Dreamy Swedish electropop outfit Fredrik bring a mellow collection of tunes stateside with their third album.
  •   ELBOW | BUILD A ROCKET BOYS!  |  April 06, 2011
    With the Mercury Music Prize for 2008's The Seldom Seen Kid , Elbow took their rightful place among post-Britpop stars.
  •   THE MOUNTAIN GOATS | ALL ETERNALS DECK  |  March 23, 2011
    The Mountain Goats' 13th studio album is an artfully simple collection featuring narrative-rich lyrics, John Darnielle's flinty, clear vocals, and jangly, driven, acoustic guitars.
  •   BEADY EYE | DIFFERENT GEAR, STILL SPEEDING  |  March 03, 2011
    Beady Eye's eagerly awaited debut represents Liam Gallagher's uninspiring foray into the spotlight without Noel, his battle-weary brother and Oasis's chief songwriter.

 See all articles by: MIRIAM LAMEY