Hard Copy-From The Archives: Low's "I Could Live In Hope"

I'm introducing a new feature on the blog this week called "Hard Copy-From the Archives." The whole purpose of this feature is that when things get slow, I can rummage through my CD collection and discuss an old purchase which still holds my attention. Today's offering is "I Could Live in Hope" by Low. Low is perhaps one of the first ambient or slowcore bands. Alternative in their approach back in 1994 when this CD was first issued, they still sound fresh and new today.

Each song on "Hope" is an exercise in plodding melody, perfectly blended harmonies and minimalist instrumentation. It is easy to think that you will be able to put this CD on as background music and just read the paper or do something quiet while it plays. That is not, however, what happens when you listen. Before the opener "Words" finishes, you feel as if you've been pulled into a vortex of the bands creation. Soon you are straining for each nuanced phrase, searching for meaning or just lost in the music itself.

"Fear's" two minutes and twelve seconds is not the shortest song on this CD, but it is simplistically beautiful. "Slide" introduces a beautiful vocal lead from Mimi Parker. Her vocals are stronger and more pristine than those of Alan Sparhawk, But when the two share an equal emphasis the results are more haunting and complete. "Lazy" exhibits this trait, with the interplay between Sparhawk and Parker sharing an equal emphasis on the chorus. As if there weren't enough things to draw you inwards into the body of the music, "Lullaby," the longest track on this offering, weighing in at just under 10 minutes, uses a uniquely crafted echo of Parker's voice that doesn't disappear until almost four minutes in when the piece transitions into an instrumental. "Lullaby" also rocks harder as it moves forward through the instrumental outtro until it ends virtually where it began.

My favorite tracks on this CD include "Words,""Fear," "Slide," "Lazy," "Sea" and my all time favorite version of the Jimmy Davis and Charles Mitchell track "Sunshine," which is the set closer. Low had difficulty with labels and personnel going forward. They have released several CD's since this debut back in 1994-many of which are in my collection, but as is the case with many new bands that achieve a certain success early on, have had difficulty capturing the magic again that "I Could Live in Hope" offered. "Hope" stands as a promise unfulfilled for the band, but it also stands on its own musically. Though many bands have tried to emulate the slowcore magic of "Low", I don't believe that most really understood what they were attempting to accomplish. Perhaps only "Low" in this offering knew and that is why it feels so worthy, so complete, to listen to.

Low was formed in Duluth, Minnesota in 1993 and was comprised of the husband and wife team of Alan Sparhawk (guitars and vocals) and Mimi Parker (drums and vocals) with bassist John Nichols, when this CD came out. The band has a website with pop out MP3 player and sample tracks. You can also purchase CD's, including this one that is still in print, at Amazon.com.