sLOWcore: Let's Talk About Low, and Some Other Slowcore Albums

[@fitzelectricbar]

Excellent and enjoyable video. Very comprehensive and some recommendations I will seek out. Thank you. I absolutely love Low’s Things We Lost In The Fire. I saw Low a couple of times, once opening for Cat Power at Seattle’s Bumbershoot festival in 2001. Opened with their beautiful cover of Neil Young’s Down By The River (studio version on the Fish Tank release). I have nowhere near your knowledge and collection of slow core and “adjacent” records but a recent fave of mine seems to fit the bill: Acetone’s Anthology 1992-2001. Keep up the good work!

[@TheDigitalGramophone]

Check out Dom’s (Seekingathread) video on Slowcore. He discusses Acetone. New West is reissuing some of their albums, and I’m looking forward to getting a couple of them. Thanks for watching and the kind words. ✌🏻

[@bigstar1000]

Jason Molina/Songs:Ohia is a sound I can't get enough of. I'm totally in love with the Magnolia Electric Company LP too. It's absolutely perfect.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

I first became aware of Low via two cover versions of their songs on the Robert Plant/Band of Joy album that came out sometime in the noughties. They were actually very faithful to the originals. I never pursued them though beyond The Great Destroyer album, which I did enjoy. 'When I Go Deaf' is a song that really spoke to me for some reason; at this advanced age I am having ear problems (the result no doubt of a life-time of too-loud listening!), so I've always hoped it doesn't turn out to be a prophetic song. Nice spotlight Jon, I'll stream the other Low stuff soon and hope I don't go deaf.

[@bigstar1000]

Regardless of whether I agree with your or not on your final thoughts, this was an excellent compendium of slowcore related albums. Well done man!

[@TheDigitalGramophone]

It’s a very fluid thing, but so are a lot of genres. Thanks for the inspiration, Fred. And the kind words. Cheers ✌🏻

[@bigstar1000]

What a great response John. I knew you loved the genre but this is above and beyond. I am watching this video in instalments so there may be various comments. ❤ 🐌 🥑

[@TheDigitalGramophone]

You covered so much of it already. Hoping the few records I showed that you didn’t discuss are good recommendations (if you don’t know them already). Thanks, Fred! ✌🏻

[@musicinthehouse]

Low is one of my favorites as well and I am so glad you did an overview of their releases. Thank you for not giving up and doing the review again. The harmony between Mimi and Alan is so other worldly, it is what stands out and makes them special. I like your assessment that the sample size for slow core is pretty small, and you can take a song here or there from different bands and say they are slow core, but what's in a name? It sounds great and like you I'm just glad it exists whatever you call it. Thank you for mentioning Will Johnson. I listened to Scorpion and really enjoyed it, and while not 'slow core' I'm digging the 2023 album No Ordinary Crown too.

[@TheDigitalGramophone]

I thought about doing an album by album review, but (1) I just don’t make videos frequently enough and (2) that’s probably overkill. Did I emphasize enough how amazing their harmonies are? I don’t think I did. Glad you dug the Will Johnson album. He really is fantastic. Centro-matic is an underrated band, and so is Johnson’s solo material. He’s currently touring with Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit as a second drummer - which is wild. But there is a connection there. Thanks for watching and for the kind words. Cheers ✌🏻

[@bigstar1000]

I must admit Bluetile Lounge are totally unfamiliar, and yet I live here...haha. You learn something new every day.

[@GrandmasHandbag]

Hey Fred👋 not many folks would've heard of them outside of Perth and outside of around 1995-1999, though they did release records on Steve Shelley's (Sonic Youth) label back then. I think I only discovered them around 2010 myself. Hope all is well!!

[@bigstar1000]

@@GrandmasHandbag oh hey Dean, thanks for commenting back. Nice to hear from you. They are indeed super obscure and yet I take an active interest for all things Aussie when it comes to music. As I said you live you learn. Hope you’re well.

[@lostmixtapes]

Great video, Jealous of all the vinyl Low records. Love them. Got into them with Long Division. Worked for their record company at that time and did some promo work for Curtiain. The early shows were frightenly quiet. I learned to really love them when they changed things up around Things. Drums and Guns…so good. Luckily I got to see them several times. Incredibly sad Mimi is no longer with us. I got a little tired of the slow core stuff in general. Tried listening to Idaho again and found it difficult, even though 24 year old me couldn’t get enough. Although you have several in there I might need to check out when the weather starts to get bleak around here (prime Low season).

[@TheDigitalGramophone]

That’s right! You’re a Minnesota guy. Mimi was a hard one for me. There was a great interview/discussion on NPR with Bob Boilen, Mimi, and Sharon Van Etten. Mostly SVE asking Mimi about what it was like being a mother that toured the world in a rock band. It was so great. After she died, I went back to listen to it a few times. She was amazing. One of the greatest voices ever. No exaggeration. I understand what you mean about the slowcore thing. I will always be able to listen to Low, though. I’d like to have that Idaho’s Three Sheets to the Wind on vinyl. Sorry it took me so long to respond. Cheers, Todd ✌🏻

[@RandallWeaver]

That's a lot of records for Low. Thanks for the rundown. Gerry Beckley? Was not expecting him to show up here! But it sounds like his son produced Low later. Nice.

[@TheDigitalGramophone]

Fairly decent sized discography, Randy. They have several EPs, too. Yeah, I always got a kick out of Gerry Beckley guesting on that Low album. Actually, in the context of the specific song(s) he sings on, his appearance makes a lot of sense. Didn’t even make the connection that was his son. 💡

[@bigstar1000]

Double Negatives and Hey What are such incredible pieces. The evolution of a sound which they had fully explored till then.

[@Thedarkstuff]

I used to work with Low's original bassist, John Nichols, in a record store in the mid to late 90s. Great guy. He only played on the first album.

[@TheDigitalGramophone]

That’s cool! I believe he and Alan were playing in a different band before, right? Or, at least, making different music before they stumbled into the Low thing.

[@Thedarkstuff]

@@TheDigitalGramophone that may be, I’m not sure. He didn’t like to talk about his time in the band, except to say that you shouldn’t be in a band with a married couple.

[@TheDigitalGramophone]

@@Thedarkstuff 😂 That’s a good rule. Cheers!

[@hubtunes9607]

I love Karate! Got to see them on a TINY reunion tour last year. They were great but there were 48 people there. Yes, I counted

[@TheDigitalGramophone]

Been to plenty of those kind of shows before. Although it’s been many years. Cheers, Mike! ✌🏻

[@stereo999]

Nice Low retrospective. Saw them live in the late 90s. I have and love Secret Name and Great Destroyer. I agree Over The Ocean is one of their best songs so I'll probably grab that record at some point. I think the first slowcore thing I got was White Birch by Codeine. Have you heard the bands REX or Red Stars Theory? Or Bedhead's collaboration with Macha from Athens Georgia? Those are also favorites of mine. Anyway dug your video. Have a great day

[@TheDigitalGramophone]

I haven’t heard any of your suggestions. I will check them out. Thanks for watching and for the kind words. Sorry for taking so long to respond. Cheers! ✌🏻

[@dixielandfarm]

Enjoyed the clip in the middle. As slow as I get is Mazzy Star. Named after Norman Maslov.

[@cyberraisin]

definitely check out Idaho's debut "Year After Year". seminal slowcore

[@TheDigitalGramophone]

@@cyberraisin Agreed. I have two Idaho albums on CD. Considered buying that reissue box set. Thanks for watching! ✌🏻

[@cyberraisin]

​@@TheDigitalGramophone I was given one as a gift this past holiday season. totally worth it. my first box set ever!

[@stevecarlsonvinylcommunity9147]

Very interesting Jon. I know of Low but have not listened to them. My biggest issue with slowcore is it is slow. I am more of a medium core kind of guy but still you have made me interested especially since I do like slower dream pop though that tends to have a Shoegaze feel. Is this officially sad Bastard music? Love your passion for the band and the clips Jon, well done.

[@TheDigitalGramophone]

Yeah, Steve. Slowcore is definitely not your thing. Although, with your love of Luna there has to be a song or five in the genre somewhere that you would enjoy. Hope all is well, friend. Sorry for the slow response. Cheers ✌🏻

[@davidellis5141]

Hi Jon - My Top 3 Low are Gold 🏅 - I Could Live In Hope - An astonishing debut & they were on the boutique label Vernon Yard with Verve who had just released the classic A Storm In Heaven. Silver 🥈- The Great Destoyer & Bronze 🥉 - Things We Lost In The Fire. Low are one of the most influential bands of the last 30 years but are rarely 🤷 credited for it. They were a unique band & beloved by the few who " got them " A comprehensive compilation would be welcomed. A curator is needed ..

[@TheDigitalGramophone]

The one thing I wish I had touched on that I didn’t mention is how Low is one of those bands that so many other bands love. I saw them open for both Spoon and Wilco in the latter 2000s. Both bands are huge supporters of Low. Sharon Van Etten always talked about how huge of an influence they were on her music. Your top three are excellent choices. Ranking their discography would be nearly impossible for me.

[@TheVinylDouche]

Hey Jon. Always appreciate seeing Low getting some love. All time favorites. I am hoping to transcend to hell - if it is Satan’s will. I also don’t consider a lot of those bands to be ‘slowcore’ but I guess it isn’t really up to me. I always defer to Satan - as with all other things of great cultural importance. I also don’t think Centro-matic is very alt-country. But, again, not sure anyone asked me. I see Lana Del Rey is the top hit for slowcore when you pull up the genre on Discogs. Nice work. Cheers!

[@seekingathread]

LDR she can do no wrong

[@TheDigitalGramophone]

Hey Sam. Sorry for the slow response (no pun intended). It’s a sad state of affairs when Lana Del Ray is the top slowcore performer. I think that only proves my thesis correct. It doesn’t exist. Maybe I’ll do a Centro-matic video one day. I’m a fan but not an expert. Though, that’s never stopped me before. All Praise Be the Dark One 🤘🏻

[@Localbandography]

I really dug the American Music Club San Francisco album. Had it on cd but appears it did not survive a purge. Crap.

[@mazzysmusic]

I guess the term Softcore was not available 🤷🏻‍♂️🕺

[@seekingathread]

I couldn't agree more that its a genre that doesn't really exist. How many of these bands called themselves slow core? Or same with Shoegaze. Made up by non musicians really. But its a descripter that does kind of fit because in a classic sense, rhese bands refused to vary or take their focus away from that deliberate pace. Seam is a good call and should've shown that myself. If i had Idaho, Rex or know what i did with my Spokane LP i would've shown those too. I must say, Spotify algorithm nonsense has alerted me to new bands following in these footsteps, and quite well i must say. I will have to send you a playlist link under another cover cause i was surprised. But i enjoyed this regardless. Im one of those that fell off with Low and don't think i ever heard Cmon or 1s and 6s. The last two were very daring though I ultimately did not support them by buying them. However I did appreciate them, mostly the last LP. Do more videos.

[@mazzysmusic]

Fake news band genres

[@TheDigitalGramophone]

Ever heard of Horse Jumper of Love? That’s more recent band that I’ve seen when doing slowcore searches. That said, a lot of these bands that come up have this whiny white guy emo lead vocal. Kind of a turn off.

[@anotherfatbeardedmantalkin5893]

Hey, Jon! Not really my area, but I'd agree with you that Slowcore doesn't really exist as a genre. Most of the bands accused of being Slowcore seem to be connected to other musical movements which help to categorise them better. It was Low's Christmas EP which introduced me to the band, and I went out and bought The Curtain Hits The Cast and the Lifetime of Temporary Relief box Set. I really Iiked those, but with so much other music I was discovering around that time, I didn't really follow them afterwards. I try to like loud guitar music, but beyond a few notable exceptions I always tend to regress to quiet acoustic sounds. What can I say, I'm a folkie at heart. This means that many of the bands dubbed Slowcore came into my wheelhouse. It was the wide net that Anericana cast. Will Oldham and Jason Molina were right up my street. You've moved me to pull out a couple of albums which some might call Slowcore. Are you familiar with Souled American? Their album, Frozen, from 1994 is very Slowcorey. The Innocence Mission also sprung to mind, but they they probably too folky and dream pop orientated. It can get ridiculous when you start thinking of bands which could possibly be classed Slowcore. Perhaps that it's quite easy to attach bands to the Slowcore wagon, just proves you assertion that there is no Slowcore right. Great video, Jon. Cheers - Hedley

[@TheDigitalGramophone]

We should form a committee that helps us narrow down all music to four genres/classifications. Four. No more or less. My first stab at it would be: 1. Classical 2. Popular Music 3. Jazz 4. Emo I’ve actually never had that Low compilation of extras. Thanks for going along with slow, arduous journey with me. Sorry it took me so long to respond. Cheers! ✌🏻

[@anotherfatbeardedmantalkin5893]

@@TheDigitalGramophone I reckon we could whittle down the musical genres to two. 1. Country 2. Miscellaneous

[@sofia-hw6xu]

you should check out mj lenderman’s first self titled album from 2019! has a bit of a molina vibe and he’s a nc native :) his later stuff is great too but nowhere nearly as slow

[@TheDigitalGramophone]

@@sofia-hw6xu I have streamed it, but not as familiar with it as Boat Songs - which I love. Very excited about his new album. I would say that both he and Molina definitely have that Neil Young-vibe in common. Thanks for stopping by! ✌🏻

[@stevebender4546]

Jon, I don’t even know any Low. Seems super mellow, yea I don’t have any slowcore records. I’ve got Mazzy Star! Woohoo. Good video , wow on this genre. Peace ☮️ Namaste 🙏 the Zonkman

[@TheDigitalGramophone]

Slowcore not for the Zonkman. Stonecore? I don’t know if it exists, but that’s probably more like it. 🤘🏻🎸🗿✌🏻

[@stevebender4546]

@@TheDigitalGramophone oh my you just created a new sub genre!!!

[@Shawn_at_Vinyl_Minimalist]

I love some LOW albums but I have a few hot takes about them. 1) they can't be THE DEFINITIVE slocore band as only some of their music is that style. I give that crown to Codeine. 2) Double Negative is really a different band. They physically it under LOW to pay the mortgage. 3) Drums and Guns I agree may be among the best

[@TheDigitalGramophone]

(1) Codeine has three albums. I don’t even know if you count the third one as it’s more like vault material. Low’s first four albums are all “pure” slowcore. Their 5th and 6th albums only have a few songs each that anybody could define as “something else.” So they doubled Codeine’s output, before they truly expanded their sound. (2) Double Negative is the same band as the previous album (and same producer), but yeah, a dramatic shift in sound for sure. So, I could see releasing under a different name. I’ll accept that. Also… “to pay the mortgage?” 🤣 Every band today survives by touring - not album sales. But, again, I get your point. (3) Thank you. 😎

[@Shawn_at_Vinyl_Minimalist]

@TheDigitalGramophone I'd say two albums. And a redo/ re mix of one. By that logic Guided By Voices and King Crimson are the best bands ever ( well that's actually not that far off, hmmmmm oh oh Acid Mothers Temple are not th4 most influential Japanese Psych band because they have 50 albums, far from it. I propose your theory is debunked 😆)

[@TheDigitalGramophone]

@@Shawn_at_Vinyl_Minimalist 🤣