The Low Anthem

Oh My God, Charlie Darwin

Nonesuch

Aug 24, 2009 Web Exclusive By Laura Leebove Bookmark and Share


The Low Anthem's Oh My God, Charlie Darwin might begin with hollowed, harmonized croons fronted by a stunning falsetto in the opener "Charlie Darwin," but don't be fooled: By the fourth track, "The Horizon is a Beltway," the Providence-based trio is knee deep in gravelly vocals, roaring harmonica runs, and shouted choruses. From there it's on to what sounds like trashcan crashes in a howling rendition of "Home I'll Never Be" (written by Jack Kerouac and originally performed by Tom Waits). Soon after the chaos, though, the set pares down to a soothing guitar-and-harmonica combo in the love song "(Don't Tremble)," where frontman Ben Knox Miller earnestly sings, "If your heart is unemployed/Do not rush but do not stall/For I am waiting." Re-mastered and re-sequenced from the album's initial September 2008 release, Oh My God flawlessly balances heartfelt warbles with gritty countryside wails. (www.lowanthem.com)

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