The Low Anthem

You might have caught The Low Anthem when this Rhode Island ensemble appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman in mid-January. Or, if you’re a particularly arty sort, you might have heard them on a late-night FM station that caters to marginally suicidal types who seek out atmospheric stuff in the wee, wee hours. Or, you might be learning about them as you read these words in an alt-weekly that caters to a student population, along with other people struggling to remain au courant with what’s happening on the fringes of the culture. If you haven’t heard The Low Anthem, don’t let the tone of this review turn you away. They’re fairly young, they’re inventive, and, sure, they’re a little pretentious, but the lyrics are interesting, and the music is, too. Jocie Adams, Ben Knox Miller and Jeffrey Prystowsky are multi-instrumentalists, and they make a distinct and unique sound. Oh My God, Charlie Darwin was first recorded in 2008, then re-released last year as the band began to attract an ever-growing following. You might want to find yourself in that number if you like music with something to say performed by people who find novel ways to say it.