Staff Reviews

The Low Anthem - Smart Flesh

Review by Aaron Lavery

As part of a longer discography, Smart Flesh will probably stand as a good, solid point in The Low Anthem’s career, a sign of the band developing their sound and their songwriting before delivering something truly special. »

User reviews

• 7/10 by Guigss
• 9/10 by FJFW

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the low anthem release 'smart flesh', the self-produced follow-up to their critically lauded 2009 release, 'oh my god, charlie darwin', on bella union. the majority of smart flesh's 11 tracks were recorded in a cavernous, vacant pasta sauce factory in central falls, rhode island. paranormal hitchhikers, taught highwires, aircraft, swelling tumors, whirring machinery, deserted highways, mannequins, cremation, and formaldehyde make up the language of 'smart flesh' - its themes include love, longing, and the vain contortions of our lives before death. the low anthem is fascinated with tone and timbre. the eclectic array of instruments used on 'smart flesh' include jaw harp, musical saw, stylophone, three antique pump organs (restored by the band), and oversized drum kits. an elaborate scheme was employed to re-amp noise through various chambers of the factory.
description from www.roughtrade.com