Secret Name is unadulterated lo-fi/sadcore, semi-orchestrated pop/rock par excellence. The power trio is augmented by a string section, tympani, and piano on this beautifully understated chamber pop outing by a misunderstood Midwestern band.
Mimi Parker's voice is stunning on "Weight of Water," which at times sounds like it might take flight, but naturally, it never does -- and that's not a criticism. When
Parker and
Alan Sparhawk duet, as on "Missouri" or "Immune," the result is as chilling as anything
Gram and
Emmylou ever conspired on -- though that's not to say it's country-tinged, just straight from the heart. What
Low do particularly well is stay grounded, close to the earth and real. The music is so warm it's a literal caress from the speakers -- and that's no mean feat in their notoriously chilly genre. ~ Denise Sullivan