Search - Low :: Songs for a Dead Pilot

Surprisingly Classic

10/02/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was my first Low album and is still, so far, my favorite. The total starkness of the sound on this record is captivating in a way that is totally unique. Down by the Wires is one of the most astonishing songs I've heard in a while: the essence of slowcore boiled down to an impossibly slow tempo. I find this record much more arresting than earlier Low (although those records are good too, of course)."

Not as good as their full lengths, but still a classic

Lee L. | Washington DC | 05/28/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although this is a fantastic release, I wouldn't recommend this as someone's first exposure to Low. If you're just now getting into Low, get Secret Name first but make sure you get this once you've gotten into the band's style. Although there is some classic Low here, there's just enough music on this release that's different from what Low usually does that it's not an accurate glimpse at the band as a whole.First of all, the lanscape on the cover perfectly captures the feel of the ep. This is perfect music to listen to if you're snowed in. It feels very cold and desolate, but very moving at the same time.The first track is a good example of the weirdness on the disk. Will the Night is a song off of Secret Name, but here you can only hear a droning guitar/keyboard notes and the vocals, but they're buried under twenty feet of reverb. Condescend is one of my favorite Low songs. Very simple, incredibly sad sounding guitar and string quartet underneath one of Mimi's most moving vocal performances. Born by the Wires has a darker sounding guitar melody contrasted by some higher pitched singing by Alan before turning into a long droning guitar-only conclusion. Be There is mostly keyboard music, which is uncharacteristic of Low, but sounds great with the muted drumming. Landlord is another drag your feet classic with a wonderful sense of strangely comforting dread and remorse. Hey Chicago finishes things up nicely with a relatively warmer sounding song with really pretty male/female vocals.All in all, this is a great release from a terribly underrated band that keeps make essential records for those of us with attention spans longer than two minutes."

For fans

Lee L. | 08/13/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Fans of Low will enjoy the drawn-out exporation and experimentation on this one. None of the songs jump out the way they should. Luckily, on "Secret Name" the band took these nascent experiments to sonic heights. Newcomers should save this for later and head straight for "Secret Name"Oh yeah, if you have a chance to attend a live show, DO IT!"