The Low Anthem
Oh My God, Charlie Darwin
Nonesuch
Aug 24, 2009
Web Exclusive
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)
Author rating: 8/10
Average reader rating: 8/10
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May 2nd 2011
6:24pm
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).