Mar 02 2008
Retribution Gospel Choir - Self Titled
- Artist: Retribution Gospel Choir
- Album: Self Titled
- Label: Caldo Verde
- Release: 2008
- Links: MySpace
In 2005, Low released The Great Destroyer, an album that was touted as their transition into mid-tempo rock. The self titled debut from Retribution Gospel Choir, the latest side project of singer Alan Sparhawk and bassist Matt Livingston, makes Destroyer look limp in comparison. The Choir finds Sparhawk tapping into a level of desperation that is startling even for him. I have frequently grown tired of Low in recent years, but this album has rekindled my interest in Sparhawk’s work to an extent.
Retribution Gospel Choir echoes the hazy rock of artists such as Neil Young & Crazy Horse. There is a sludge-like element (I’m serious) to this album will surprise those that are only loosely familiar with Low. When I saw Low perform on the first promotional tour for Destroyer, Sparhawk appeared to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown as he struggled to find some sort of release. The Choir offers the cathartic release that he has attempted to find with the last two Low albums.
Eric Pollard’s drumming serves as the album’s driving force, as evident on the intensity of “Take Your Time†and “Breaker.†The latter track appeared on Low’s Drums And Guns album. Mimi Parker, Sparhawk’s wife and Low counterpart, sings backup during the song’s bridge. The aggression displayed in the song’s intro reflects how different this version of the song is. I definitely believe this to be the superior version. “Destroyer†is even more cathartic while “Kids†is Sparhawk at his most deadpan.
At ten songs, most of which are close to three minutes long, this is a brief effort that left me wanting more. The repetitive “What She Turned Into†is the only moderate setback i this set. Side projects are often an outlet for songs that are not up to par with an artist’s main work. In the case of Retribution Gospel Choir, many of these songs are better than Low’s recent output. This is one of 2008’s early surprises and it’s just as good as having a new Low album.