This Minnesota trio are ample proof that electronic knob-twiddlers are not the only groovers to hit the ambient bullseye. Low's preferences are for dopey, loping guitars with a monochrome wash borrowed from The Cure (circa 17 Seconds and Faith), but with a softer edge. A band which reduces all to the blindingly obvious, choosing a band name like Low and a host of one-word songtitles like Drag, Lazy and Slide deserve to be vilified, especially when self-same band strings out one song over the length of an album, but an exception can be made in the case of I COULD LIVE IN HOPE. Not since Galaxie 500's ON FIRE have rippling guitars and hammock-swinging dynamics sounded so beatific, this beautiful, and not at any time depressing. Once possessed, you're hooked, although prospective listeners should beware the 10-minute Lullaby where the volume and intensity might momentarily force you to open your eyes and get up off the couch.

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