Oh My God Charlie Darwin

by

The Low Anthem

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I first bought "Oh My God, Charlie Darwin" directly from the band's website last year. The disc arrived in an artfully hand-stamped, hand-numbered cardboard sleeve. Within that lay a black labeled disc that contained some of the most sublime music of 2008. This wasn't my first introduction to the band, as What The Crow Brings was among my favorite records of 2007. Opening with the darkly hopeful "The Ballad of the Broken Bones" instantly suggested to me that The Low Anthem had a bit of insight into the human soul. Listening to the following tracks "Yellowed by the Sun" and "As the Flame Burns Down" only served to confirm my initial thoughts.

So when I heard of the imminent release of "Oh My God, Charlie Darwin" in August of 2008, I immediately made plans to purchase the record. I admit, I didn't think the band would be able to follow up their previous work, much less surpass it. It's a testament to the artists involved that they not only produced a worthy third album, but created their most layered work to date. First track "Charlie Darwin", which Paste Magazine readers may recall appeared on one of their monthly discs, is absolutely fantastic. Genius. Brilliant. I give up! I can't think of enough superlatives for even the one track.

Speaking of Paste Magazine, their July '09 issue rated this album a 90 out of 100 along with review that favorably highlights the lyric "The lords of war just profit from decay". Curiously, Rolling Stone quoted that same lyric and claimed the album "suffered" because of it. They ultimately gave three out of five stars along with a review that totals all of three sentences. Allmusic, for their part, awarded the album four out of five stars while the English magazine Uncut awarded the same.

Lyrics like "Set the sails I feel the winds a'stirring, toward the bright horizon set the way, cast your wreckless dreams upon our Mayflower, haven from the world and her decay" stick with you long after the track has ended. Then you're immediately faced with second track "Ohio", which isn't as lyric intensive but is every bit as heart wrenchingly beautiful. Suddenly, "The Horizon is a Beltway" blares through your speakers. It's a cacophonous affair, all gravely vocals and foot stomping rhythm, and a marked change from the previous tracks. But it works, and it works quite well.

The Low Anthem stumble a bit with "Home I'll Never Be", as it ratchets up the tempo once more but comes off as a late night drunken jam session. It's not a bad song, but rather a weak one. I've never seen The Low Anthem on stage, so I'm willing to bet serious money this track would translate much better in a live setting. This is a track that demands immediacy, something which simply doesn't come about in a pre-recorded album. "Ticket Taker", a simple acoustic song, comes across much more pleasantly with lyrics like "They say before he bit it, the boxer felt no pain, but somewhere there's a gamblin' man, with a ticket in the rain."

Even the record-ending reprises are gorgeous, particularly "OMGCD", which is a more lively, upbeat take on the first track. It was a welcome surprise to see this album getting a higher profile re-release this year on Nonesuch records, especially since this record wasn't even available by conventional means upon its initial release. I offer the most sincere recommendation to check this music out, which their website accurately describes as "gorgeous chamber folk".

For fans of acts like:

Pinetop Seven The Night's Bloom

Dolorean You Can't Win

Sun Kil Moon April

Magnolia Electric Co. Josephine

Josh Ritter The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter

The Low Anthem offers a competent collection of Americana on "Oh My God Charlie Darwin." Ranging in style from old-timey country music to lilting three part harmonies and Tom Waits infused raveups, it seems that The Low Anthem can do no wrong. The Low Anthem occupies the same swath of music inhabited by bands like Wilco and The Old Crow Medicine Show. With that being said, The Low Anthem seems poised ready to rejuvenate the No Depression label from its premature death.

Understandably this is a younger band and this is only their second album but after further listening to "Oh My God Charlie Darwin" the album feels a bit manufactured and hollow. The Low Anthem are competent musicians but then again saying a copy machine is competent on making duplication is an understatement. There just doesn't seem to be much soul coming from this band as they ape their way through different genres and sounds. Opener "Charlie Darwin" seems to be the exception as the three part harmonies on this track and the plaintive acoustic guitar are spot on. "The Horizon Is a Beltway" cloyingly copies Bruce Springsteen's Seeger Sessions sound and the cover of Tom Waits "Home I'll Never Be" lacks the subtleties of the original.

The album falls apart in the middle with the juxtaposition of too many styles that are attempted. "Champion Angel" feels like a Black Crowes leftover and is followed by two reprises before the album mercifully ends. The Low Anthem have promise but need to find a way to hone in their influences rather than exploit them.