I just covered the new album by Spoon the other day, and like that band Low has been around since 1993. It’s shocking to think that was 30 years ago, but here we are. In 2021, Low gave us their 13th studio album, Hey What, which led to a Grammy Nomination for Best Engineered Album….
I wasn’t sure I would do a best of list, but here I am, compiling it now. These are always a little tricky, as the moment I hit “Publish” something inevitably changes. It drives the perfectionist in me nuts. Alas, what can you do? I present to you my Best of 2021 list. Here are…
I spent more time dropping the needle in 2021 than ever before. In fact, I tracked it! I played close to 1,500 records last year, counting records played once or over a dozen times. Rather than doing a year-end “best of” list, which is highly subjective and tends to change the day after hitting Publish,…
As you may already know, but I’ll state it nonetheless for those who do not, I have a weekly radio show on KSVR Mount Vernon, KSVU Hamilton and KSJU Friday Harbor. You can tune in via the respective dial pinpoints if you live within those townships, or you can stream from KSVR.org. We will be…
Low, the husband and wife duo of Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker, have been making beautiful music together for 20 years, and on The Invisible Way, their 10th full-length studio album, the lovely, haunting harmonies and melodies that highlight their distinctive sound are once again in strong evidence.

 Produced by Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, the album’s sound…
It seemed wrong to do anything outside a tribute to the late Jason Molina. Since learning of his passing the other weekend, Songs: Ohia and Magnolia Electric Co. have been dominating my playlists; in particular the former. Given this fact, I focused on the sub-genres Molina often found himself in – folk, folk-rock, and alt-country….
I’ve been in a weird place musically of late. I’m a bit scattered, all over the map. My affinity for light, soft and playful folk has returned, but I’m also crushing on slacker pop and dream pop at the moment. Pretty hard, thank to bands like Darlings and Indians. I shouldn’t be surprised at this…
“Try To Sleep” has instant appeal. It sits nicely with Low‘s previous work, especially the more recent, though it also seems a bit more connected and full. That may be a stretch, though, as Low has always been a bit on the minimal side, from quiet volumes to stripped-down instrumentation. But maybe it’s not; this…
