Tom Lynch

The best self-medication for the melancholy. There's the old rule, the five-albums-per-band rule: if they release more than five, it's all over. But the Minnesota trio of Alan Sparhawk, Mimi Parker and Zak Sally has done a vast seven, and what's more frightening is that each album remains necessary. The Who couldn't even do that. Low's new record, "The Great Destroyer," lovingly finds the band in more aggressive territory, distorted guitars and all. That may sound strange, and this record definitely evokes a double take. After a bit though, it seems like a perfect fit, like you always knew they had it in them. Low has toured with Pedro the Lion before, and it's been a perfect match. Pedro's "Achilles Heel" was heralded by some as the band's best yet, and whether that's true or not, it certainly moves the band in the same, overwhelming direction. Bazan's lyrics still bring out the demons from the woods, and his musical construction has refreshingly advanced, not that it was ever bad, or boring, or anything of the kind. He's just even better. Low is even better. The two together won't be stopped.

Low and Pedro the Lion play February 11 at the Metro, 3730 North Clark, (773)549-4140.

(2005-02-08)

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