October 10, 2005

What I Found

The 2001 debut record by Brooklyn’s own The Brought Low snuck up on a lot of people. It’s a rich, soulful masterpiece of hard rock. But how to describe it to you? It’s really difficult to review something in this genre without referring to previous bands from the ’70s or using the phrase “tasty licks.”

Why not just download the songs and let them shovel their way deep into your sub-subconscious pleasure centers?

Ben Smith used to be in the punk/core band Sweet Diesel; Dean “Goddamn” Rispler (bass) was in Kill Fuck Kill, the Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black, the Hot Corn Girls and Tiger Mountain. (Dean the studio man also produces, both for bands he’s in and those he’s not a member of - and is responsible for some great-sounding records by the Little Killers, the Shemps, the Candy Snatchers, the Stallions, Bad Wizard and this one.) Nick Heller plays drums like a god: a god who plays rock drums.

Here’s an old interview with Ben that gives a more comprehensive history, if that’s your bag, man.

The s/t Tee Pee Records full-length has been reissued, and can be purchased here or directly from the band here.

After Dean (the guy on the right) departed, the Low have gone through some other personnel and added another guitar. I think Ben’s guitar is perfect on its own and preferred the power trio arrangement for selfish reasons of aesthetic economy, but I have to admit their new boogier direction is quite satisfying as well. Check out their site (complete with mp3s & video clips) and see what you think.

The Brought Low - “Goddamn God Bless”
The Brought Low - “Motherless Sons”

Rick at 11:37 pm