Low: C'mon

Low
C'mon
Sub Pop Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: Low return to form as C'mon is a great lesson in quality slowcore!

Album Review:
After two albums that deviated in their own way from Low's pioneer sound, C'mon not only returns the group to the old church where Trust [2002] was recorded but also to their staple slowcore presence. It is an album that has Low finding inspiration internally and is one of the trio's most warm and full sounding records to date. The memorable harmonies on album opener, "Try To Sleep", set the tone, as married couple Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker continue to sound completely in touch with each other. After 18 years and on their ninth studio album, C'mon feels like the album Low should make. It just fits, as the record offers glimpses of some of their past work but moves them into the present and embraces the listener around every corner. "Witches" is an intricate track with a faint banjo playing in the background that pulses along with every strum, while "Especially Me" highlights Parker's vocal talents in one of her best songs to date. The epic 8 minute "Nothing But Heart" showcases Low's slowcore supremacy, as the song grinds pleasantly along repeating the chorus around 25 times and possessing a building intensity of vocal interplay and instruments that is simply classic. Lastly, the album closes with the mostly acoustic harmonizing "Something's Turning Over" that is the perfect send off to C'mon, as a children's choir takes the song out and leaves the listener with only sincere pleasant feelings. Low have made a very accessible record with C'mon that not only should have longtime followers singing its praise but gaining a bunch of new indie lovers along the way that are just now getting their first experience with this solid veteran band!

Key Tracks: "Witches", "Especially Me", "Nothing But Heart"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Galaxie 500
Acetone
Yo La Tengo

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-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony