Low – “Venus” 7”
Sub Pop, 1997
Acquired: Love Garden, Used, 2008
Price: $3
As far as I can tell, the “Venus” 7” falls somewhere between
the band’s early breakout albums Long
Division and The Curtain Hits the
Cast and two of their best albums: Secret
Name and their masterpiece, Things We
Lost in the Fire. What we get on “Venus” is the sound of a band who has
just figured it out, and it’s wonderful. I have long admired Low for their
ability to just as compelling as any major indie rock band while playing at
half the speed. The benefit is an atomosphere and moodiness unrivaled in the
realm. “Venus” is a stunning example of the magic that happens when Alan
Sparhawk and Mimi Parker harmonize. It’s not as epic as some of their later
tracks, but there is something about the quaintness of this track that puts my
heart at ease. It’s just so easy to
love, but then again, so is Low. Kudos to them for staying relevant and
continuing to make kick ass records (most notably 2007’s sparse and haunting “Drums
& Guns” and most recently, the absolutely teriffic The Invisible Way). B-side “Boyfriends & Girlfriends” is a
spare and hypnotic dirge that forecasts towards the darker edge of Low’s
discography.
"Venus"
"Boyfriends & Girlfriends"
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