Unsurprising ballot, unranked:
Throw Out the Line
Turn
Stay
Two-Step
Weight of Water
Whitetail
Medicine Magazines
Laser Beam
Embrace
(That's How You Sing) Amazing Grace
In the Drugs
Last Snowstorm of the Year
La La La Song
Point of Disgust
Shots & Ladders
Anon
The Plan
Over the Ocean
Mom Says
Coattails
Standby
Laugh
Lust
Stars Gone Out
Do You Know How to Waltz?
Murderer
Words
Lazy
Lullaby
Drag
― I'm a sovereign jizz citizen (the table is the table), Saturday, 27 November 2021 01:26 (two years ago) link
Thanks ufo! And thanks to all of you for putting up with me being annoying for days.
― I'm a sovereign jizz citizen (the table is the table), Saturday, 27 November 2021 01:27 (two years ago) link
Fascinating that Double Negative took the album poll, yet its highest placing in tracks was #19?? Feel like that's gotta be unprecedented among these artist polls
― Vinnie, Saturday, 27 November 2021 01:42 (two years ago) link
xp I’ve liked reading your take on Low, table!
― Dan S, Saturday, 27 November 2021 01:45 (two years ago) link
been distracted by family events the last few days but have enjoyed this thread. thanks ufo
― Dan S, Saturday, 27 November 2021 01:48 (two years ago) link
curious how common it is for other artist polls to have that many different songs of theirs get #1 votes - seemed like there were a lot for this one?
― donna rouge, Saturday, 27 November 2021 01:57 (two years ago) link
yeah this was something that stood out to me as quite unusual, but i think it lines up with a lot of people mentioning that they loved double negative but weren't finding it easy to separate out individual tracks from it
― ufo, Saturday, 27 November 2021 01:58 (two years ago) link
This band.
― Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 27 November 2021 01:59 (two years ago) link
Silver RiderMonkeyWitches(That’s How You Sing) Amazing GraceAlways Trying to Work It OutDon’t Walk AwayThe LambBroadway (So Many People)DisappearingCaliforniaLandslide Candy GirlTwo-StepCanadaNo ComprendePissingTime Is the DiamondOn My OwnWeight of WaterShots and LaddersDo You Know How to WaltzQuorumHeyBreakerMajesty/MagicViolenceDinosaur ActJust Stand BackLittle Argument with MyselfDays Like These
― Dan S, Saturday, 27 November 2021 02:44 (two years ago) link
Good lookin out, tableTwo-StepWhitetailNothing But HeartCue the StringsMonkeyViolenceTime Is The DiamondCanadaWhoreThrow Out the LinePlastic CupSunflowerMissouriDinosaur ActStandby (That's How You Sing) Amazing GraceEspecially MeSo BlueHatchetJust Like ChristmasLullabyCoattails Don't UnderstandOn My OwnShameJust Make It StopWhite HorsesMoreTransmissionI Started a Joke
― licorice in the front, pizza in the rear (Whiney G. Weingarten), Saturday, 27 November 2021 03:16 (two years ago) link
StarfireWordsThe LambIn Metal(That's How You Sing) Amazing Grace2-StepPissingPoor SuckerThe Price You Pay (It Must Be Wearing Off)WhoreDo You Know How to WaltzMurdererDon't UnderstandSunflowerDancing and BloodOver the OceanAlways Trying to Work it OutCoattailsCondescendViolent PastAnonThrow Out the LineBorn By the WiresLazyWhen I Go DeafHeySpanish TranslationMoreIn the DrugsDinosaur Act
― just staying (Karl Malone), Saturday, 27 November 2021 03:18 (two years ago) link
I thought "whore" might be top-ten material. the lyrics, i don't know. i don't listen to them. everything else about it is stunning.
great poll, thanks so much for running it ufo!!
The only rock bands I want to listen to these days are Low and Ween, idk what that says about me
― licorice in the front, pizza in the rear (Whiney G. Weingarten), Saturday, 27 November 2021 03:19 (two years ago) link
what do you have against the foo fighters?
― just staying (Karl Malone), Saturday, 27 November 2021 03:27 (two years ago) link
yeah it ended up being my favourite from things we lost in the fire. the lyrics are a pretty awkward biblical reference which is a shame compared to how good the rest of it is
― ufo, Saturday, 27 November 2021 03:32 (two years ago) link
The LambTwo-StepMonkeyBroadway (So Many People)I RememberFlyOver the OceanCanadaImmuneLullabyShameDo You Know How to Waltz?Everybody's SongLazyBecause You Stood StillNightingaleLong Way Around the Sea(That's How You Sing) Amazing GraceWordsThe InnocentsMedicine MagazinesPissingDancing and FireIn MetalBelarusPlastic CupSleep at the BottomSunflowerStandbyShots & Ladders 2 – I was apparently the only vote for this version, and contributed only 2 points vs. the 350 points that the Trust version received.
― Hideous Lump, Saturday, 27 November 2021 03:35 (two years ago) link
things we lost in the fire was my first low. i was 20 at the time (2003) and met this wonderful woman who would play it all the time. i hope this isn't tmi, but i really liked her and for a while we were a couple and would sleep in the same bed. we never made love (TMI), which was a smart move on her part, because she knew i was just a young whatever and not a good idea for anyone who was taking things seriously. i would always be waiting for the right time, and who knows what she was thinking, and then at some point it would be things we lost in the fire time, and it was so warm and intense. Sunflower wowed me of course, first time, but later it was Whore and In Metal and....every single other song...that would knock me out. it was really intense laying there in that bad, on the edge of some sort of horny mistake, not making it, listening to this music, wine drunk. i can never forget it
― just staying (Karl Malone), Saturday, 27 November 2021 03:38 (two years ago) link
Thanks UFO!
Fascinating results I'll spend more time parsing--but I feel like the take-away is basically that Low may be even more amazing than we often remember. They're so consistently great that perhaps sometimes we become innured to really seeing it.
My tracks:
01. “Will The Night (Secret Name, 1999)02. “So Easy (So Far)” (Bombscare EP, 2000)03. “Belarus” (Drums & Guns, 2007)04. “Fly” (Double Negative, 2018)05. “Little Argument With Myself” (Trust, 2002)06. “Because You Stood Still” (Last Night I Dreamt EP, 2001)07. “Soon” (Secret Name, 1999)08. “Breaker” (Drums & Guns, 2007)09. “Hand So Small” (Bombscare EP, 2000)10. “Down By The River” (In the Fishtank EP, 2001)11. “The Price You Pay (It Must Be Wearing Off)” (Hey What, 2021)12. “Do You Know How To Waltz?” (The Curtain Hits The Cast, 1996)13. “Two-Step” (Secret Name, 1999)14. “Don’t Understand” (Secret Name, 1999)15. “Bombscare” (Bombscare EP, 2000)16. “Hey” (Hey What, 2021)17. “Landlord” (Songs For A Dead Pilot EP, 1997)18. “John Prine” (Trust, 2002)19. “Sunshine” (I Could Live In Hope, 1994)20. “Always Fade” (Drums & Guns, 2007)21. “Disarray” (Double Negative, 2018)22. “Dragonfly” (Drums & Guns, 2007)23. “The Plan” (The Curtain Hits the Cast, 1996)24. “On The Edge Of” (The Great Destroyer, 2005)25. “Always Trying to Work It Out” (Double Negative, 2018)26. “Murderer” (Drums & Guns, 2007)27. “Drag” (I Could Live In Hope, 1994)28. “Words” (I Could Live In Hope, 1994)29. “Poor Sucker” (Double Negative, 2018)30. “Laser Beam” (Things We Lost in the Fire, 2001)
And releases:
01. Drums & Guns (2007)02. Double Negative (2018)03. Secret Name (1999)04. Bombscare EP (2000)05. Trust (2002)06. The Curtain Hits the Cast (1996)07. I Could Live in Hope (1994)08. Hey What (2021)09. The Great Destroyer (2005)10. Things We Lost In the Fire (2001)
I'll continue to push for more folks to hear the 'Bombscare' EP, which more and more feels like the secret fulcrum of their oeuvre...
― Soundslike, Saturday, 27 November 2021 04:22 (two years ago) link
Thanks for sharing that, Karl. Long Division was my first, but TWLITF was the one that really hooked me.
― Cow_Art, Saturday, 27 November 2021 04:24 (two years ago) link
My take on the last two is that Double Negative is the better album length statement, Hey What has higher highs but a couple duds. Between the lyrics and the vocal I don't like "Days Like These" at all.
Songs
MoreWordsBelarusQuorumShameLazyHeyPissingWitchesViolenceTwo-StepSunflowerMurdererDisarrayLullabySoonAnonFearLiesCutStayDragTakeGentleI RememberSo Easy (So Far)Born by the WiresBreaker (Dub Plate)Do You Know How to Waltz?Venus (Time Stereo Dub Mix)
Albums
I Could Live in HopeDouble NegativeLong DivisionOnes and SixesHey WhatThe Curtain Hits the CastSongs for a Dead DreamerDrums and Guns Secret Name
― Freeze Instr., Saturday, 27 November 2021 05:21 (two years ago) link
*Songs for a Dead Pilot 8/
― Freeze Instr., Saturday, 27 November 2021 05:23 (two years ago) link
Tracks
1. Murderer2. Lazy3. Don’t Carry It All4. When I Go Deaf5. All Night6. Words7. Do You Know How to Waltz8. Violent Past9. Lullaby10. In Metal11. Take Your Time12. Nightingale13. White Horses14. Condescend15. Pissing16. Rome (Always in the Dark)17. Starfire18. Dancing and Blood19. Sunflower20. Canada21. More22. Breaker23. The Price You Pay (It Must Be Wearing Off)24. Venus25. 2-Step26. Landslide27. John Prine28. What Part of Me29. Like a Forest30. In the Drugs
1. Drums and Guns2. Hey What3. I Could Live in Hope4. Things We Lost in the Fire5. The Curtain Hits the Cast6. The Great Destroyer7. Double Negative8. Ones and Sixes9. In a Fishtank10. Trust
― Western® with Bacon Flavor, Saturday, 27 November 2021 05:51 (two years ago) link
TWLITF was my gateway years back. Someone put it on the morning after a night of heavy partying and the mood of “Sunflower” and on just clicked.
― Western® with Bacon Flavor, Saturday, 27 November 2021 05:54 (two years ago) link
"sunflower" is the ultimate low gateway song imo
it's imo because it was my gateway i guess
― just staying (Karl Malone), Saturday, 27 November 2021 06:08 (two years ago) link
i'm surprised that When I Go Deaf didn't place
― just staying (Karl Malone), Saturday, 27 November 2021 06:09 (two years ago) link
this poll has prompted me to reassess the great destroyer. it was always one of my least favorite of theirs, but after giving it 10 or so years since the last listen, i can really recognize several fantastic songs on it.
― just staying (Karl Malone), Saturday, 27 November 2021 06:10 (two years ago) link
Yeah, that one screams big crowd singalong when played live
― Western® with Bacon Flavor, Saturday, 27 November 2021 06:11 (two years ago) link
“All Night” became my new favorite Mimi song. She’s holding everything together for around 4 minutes before it sounds like she’s getting pulled into a telephone.
― Western® with Bacon Flavor, Saturday, 27 November 2021 06:21 (two years ago) link
Pardon the interruption, but the gorgeous David Gilmour song "The Blue" sounds a lot like Low "Shame," and the first word in the song is "shamelessly."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1kJfdfrzIM
― Hideous Lump, Saturday, 27 November 2021 06:50 (two years ago) link
Most of them placed but I'm still shocked at Caroline. Seriously people ?
Spanish TranslationLazyCarolineThe LambAnonMurdererThat’s How you sing Amazing GraceGentleLiesShameAlways Trying to Work it OutWordsWhite HorsesCongregationEspecially MeQuorumLullabyWeight of WaterSunflowerJulyDancing and BloodFlyDinosaur ActMonkeyThe InnocentsThe PlanNo ComprendeShots & LaddersDownSilver Rider
― Nabozo, Saturday, 27 November 2021 07:35 (two years ago) link
Most of these placed but more love for Bombscare and Tonight please. Trust is the favourite album and Tonight is crucial flickering warmth relative to the general chillier nocturnal vibe.
ImmuneBombscareMurdererCaliforniaWhite HorsesViolent PastShots & LaddersNo ComprendeFlyMoreTonightHand So SmallCanadaMonkeyBelarusQuorumSoonPissingSunflowerJust Like ChristmasTime is the DiamondSleep at the BottomDo You Know How to Waltz?Days of…JulyPoint of DisgustViolenceBreakerIn the DrugsCondescend
TrustBombscare EPSecret NameDrums and GunsHEY WHATDouble NegativeI Could Live in HopeThings We Lost in the FireThe Great DestroyerChristmas
Courtesy of this poll I've finally found a route into Curtain which for years I found rather unapproachable. Today it feels really lush and stretches of it are pretty new to me still - the ultimate treat of quasi-new old Low to immerse in.
― technopolis, Saturday, 27 November 2021 08:12 (two years ago) link
I’ve been traveling and I missed this rollout. I must be a casual low fan because I had no idea Murderer had a chance at the top 10 let alone would be the winner of this poll. I would have betted on “Words”.
Happy “sleep at the bottom” made it albeit way TOO LOW.
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Saturday, 27 November 2021 08:42 (two years ago) link
Great poll ufo, thank you!
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Saturday, 27 November 2021 08:44 (two years ago) link
Here's my ballot
SoonStarfireViolenceWordsSunflowerDinosaur ActLike A ForestIn MetalPoint of DisgustMurdererJust Like ChristmasLong Way Around The SeaOne Special GiftBreakerHatchetJust Make It StopQuorumBelow & AboveThrow Out The LineSwingin’Over The OceanLion/LambTwo StepDon’t UnderstandKind of Girl(That's How You Sing) Amazing GraceCanadaWhen I Go DeafTaking Down The TreeMissouri
Things We Lost in the FireSecret NameLong DivisionChristmasThe Curtain Hits The CastTrustThe Great DestroyerI Could Live In HopeDouble NegativeDrums and Guns
― ceci n'est pas une messi (cajunsunday), Saturday, 27 November 2021 08:46 (two years ago) link
I’m not sure if double negative was my#1 album vote but it feels to me like the absolute climax of what Low is. I had a hard time picking a song I’d recommend off it because it’s the one Low album that works as a full album imho. It’s a crushing experience if you listen to it in one sitting with a good pair of headphones. No other album of them works in the same context for me. It’s a bit masochistic, while it’s my favorite I’ve only listened to it 3 times fully. You really need to be in the mood to be dragged into the ground.
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Saturday, 27 November 2021 08:49 (two years ago) link
It was difficult to decide whether I wasn't so hot on the Low 'standards' - top 15 or so - due burning out on them being part of the live set for many years. But no, turns out they just have ridiculous amounts of good material on all the records and they all get crowded out when you're only picking top 30. Great fun though!
ViolenceSilver RiderJulyShameNo ComprendeWill The NightWhitetailNothing But HeartJohn PrineEmbraceLullabyDragonflyWhen You WalkedDisappearingAmethystOn The Edge OfHeyDancing and FireBreakerWhite HorsesLittle Argument with MyselfViolent PastTime Is The DiamondDo You Know How To Waltz?I RememberEspecially MeMurderer (EP version)I Hear... GoodnightWitchesLast Snowstorm of the Year
Things We Lost In The FireTrustDrums and GunsDouble NegativeHEY WHATThe Great DestroyerI Could Live In HopeSecret NameThe Invisible WayCurtain Hits The Cast
― matt h, Saturday, 27 November 2021 09:41 (two years ago) link
Thanks a lot for running this ufo, really enjoyed reading the different takes on the Low catalogue.
Dinosaur ActSunflowerIn the DrugsDo You Know How to Waltz?Sleep at the BottomImmuneSlideCaliforniaShameMurdererWeight of WaterMoreShots & LaddersBecause You Stood StillLazyVenusMedicine MagazinesFlyBright(That's How You Sing) Amazing GraceCutOver the OceanEverybody's SongYou See EverythingLike a ForestTime Is the DiamondJoan of ArcOn the Edge ofLittle Argument With MyselfStarfire
Things We Lost in the FireTrustI Could Live in HopeHEY WHATA Lifetime of Temporary ReliefDouble NegativeThe Curtain Hits the CastThe Great DestroyerSecret NameC'mon
― Gavin, Leeds, Saturday, 27 November 2021 09:52 (two years ago) link
my ballots:
LullabyMurdererOver The OceanDo You Know How to Waltz?TempestJust Stand BackAlways UpFlyAlways Trying to Work It OutWhite HorsesBreakerLaughThe PlanQuorumGentlePissingWhoreCoattailsDownViolenceHeyNothing But HeartWhen I Go DeafViolent PastRome (Always In The Dark)LandslideWill the NightShots & LaddersMoreIn Metal
Double NegativeThe Curtain Hits the CastThe Great DestroyerHEY WHATI Could Live In HopeThings We Lost in the FireDrums and GunsOnes and SixesC'monTrust
Down by the RiverI'm On FireLet's Stay TogetherNowhere ManTransmissionStay
― ufo, Saturday, 27 November 2021 10:20 (two years ago) link
I forgot to post my albums and covers, which were ranked:
Albums: The Curtain Hits the CastTrustI Could Live in HopeThings We Lost in the FireSecret NameLong DivisionDrums & GunsDouble NegativeHEY WHATBombscare EP
Covers:Blue-Eyed DevilStayCarnival QueenI Started a JokeLittle Drummer BoySilent NightDown by the RiverSurfer Girl...I LoveOpen Arms
― I'm a sovereign jizz citizen (the table is the table), Saturday, 27 November 2021 12:26 (two years ago) link
My ballots:Songs (in ranked order 1-30):Weight Of WaterWhitetailMurdererDo You Know How To Waltz?CutTwo-StepLiesLazyDinosaur ActFlyCanadaYou See EverythingDragCongregationPissing LowOver the OceanLaser Beam(That's How You Sing) Amazing GraceTransmissionPoint of DisgustAloneNothing But HeartBreakerThe Price You Pay (It Must Be Wearing Off)Down By The RiverStarfireLullabyStay (Rihanna cover)Days Like These LowJust Make It Stop
Albums:Secret NameI Could Live In HopeThings We Lost In The FireOnes and SixesTrustC'MonThe Curtain Hits The CastDrums and GunsHey WhatDouble Negative
Covers:TransmissionDown By The RiverStayLast Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved MeSurfer GirlLord, Can You Hear Me?Back Home AgainI'm on FireLet's Stay TogetherNowhere Man
― treefell, Saturday, 27 November 2021 12:41 (two years ago) link
Thanks ufo for picking up the ball
My ballots (yeah, I thought it was 50)
Over The OceanJohn PrineSilver Rider (Murderer ep version)Do You Know How To Waltz?La La La SongJoan of Arc(That’s How You Sing) Amazing GraceLittle Argument With MyselfMonkeyDavid & JudeLast Snowstorm Of The YearVenusWill the NightI Started A JokeTwo-StepThe PlanThrow Out The LineWeight Of WaterIf You Were Born Today (Song for Little Baby Jesus)Just Like ChristmasLast Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved MeTransmissionPeanut Butter Toast and American BandstandIn The DrugsDinosaur ActSoonAloneEspecially MeStars Gone OutAlways FadeLong Way Around The SeaWhen I Go DeafViolent PastBlue ChristmasI RememberSunflowerPretty PeopleFrom Your Place On SunsetTry To SleepDon’t UnderstandDown By The RiverAlways Trying To Work It Out LazyInto YouPissingViolenceHand So SmallCarolineLaser BeamCondescend
Curtain Hits The CastTrustSecret NameOne More Reason To ForgetSongs For A Dead PilotOWLThe Great DestroyerThe Exit PapersLong DivisionThings We Lost In The Fire
I Started A JokeLast Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved MeTransmissionBlue ChristmasDown By The RiverSurfer GirlLong Long LongFearlessCarnival QueenLord Can You Hear Me
― Long enough attention span for a Stephen Bissette blu-ray extra (aldo), Saturday, 27 November 2021 13:32 (two years ago) link
Thanks so much, ufo! Love the images.
My ballot below. Thought for a bit I was Mr Hive Mind when it comes to Low, given my #1 LP and #1 cover were also the poll's #1s. However, I didn't for any of the top 7 in songs.
In MetalJust Make It StopCanadaIn The DrugsDays Like TheseDon’t Carry It AllTry To SleepBecause You Stood StillThose Girls (Song For Nico)BelarusLiesWay Behind (w/ Spring Heel Jack)The Price You Pay (It Must Be Wearing Off)Below & AboveMonkeyHatchetYou See EverythingSeaWhitetailBe ThereDeath of a SalesmanJoan of ArcOverheadViolenceSleep At the Bottom (w/Transient Waves & Piano Magic)Weight Of WaterPrisonerWhat Part Of MeVenusPlastic Cup
Cover versions
Down By The River (w/ Dirty Three)FearlessLittle Drummer BoyBack Home Again…I LoveSunshineLast Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved MeHeartbeatLord, Can You Hear Me?Transmission
Double NegativeHEY WHATTrustBombscare EP (w/ Spring Heel Jack)Drums and GunsChristmasThings We Lost In The FireIn The Fishtank 7 (w/ Dirty Three)Long DivisionC’mon
― Jeff W, Saturday, 27 November 2021 14:26 (two years ago) link
Songs:
2-StepLaser BeamWordsMurdererJust Like ChristmasStars Gone OutDo You Know How to Waltz?TempestAlways Trying to Work It OutMedicine & MagazineDownStarfireViolenceOver the OceanNothing But HeartJulyNightingaleViolent PastThe Price You Pay (It Must Be Wearing Off)Be ThereSleep at the BottomVenusSilver RiderAnonNo ComprendeLullabyQuorumHeyCondescend(That’s How You Sing) Amazing Grace
Albums:
Things We Lost in the FireDouble NegativeThe Curtain Hits the CastC’monHEY WHATI Could Live in HopeLong DivisionSecret NameSongs for a Dead PilotOnes and Sixes
― sctttnnnt (pgwp), Saturday, 27 November 2021 15:17 (two years ago) link
Thanks ufo for your hard work on this poll!
I don't know why I left Murderer off my ballot (and voted for the blander Belarus from the same album) but I guess that's what happens when you compile your ballot quickly and mostly on instinct.
Violent PastWhen I Go DeafLaser BeamAlways Trying to Work It OutBroadway (So Many People)LullabyCloserQuorumDinosaur ActWordsIn MetalCanadaShots and LaddersJohn PrineMonkeyCaliforniaLandslideNothing But HeartTempestTry To SleepFlyOver the OceanDo You Know How to WaltzTwo StepSunflowerWalk Into the SeaBelarusEspecially MePlastic CupOn My Own
Double NegativeThe Great DestroyerThings We Lost In the FireI Could Live In HopeTrustDrums and GunsChristmasC'monThe Invisible WayThe Curtain Hits the Cast
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Sunday, 28 November 2021 11:07 (two years ago) link
I didn't do a relisten before voting. With Christmas on just now I think Little Drummer Boy might have got top 20. SO MUCH NOISE.
― Long enough attention span for a Stephen Bissette blu-ray extra (aldo), Saturday, 4 December 2021 01:03 (two years ago) link
There's a few i haven't heard but no way do Low have 10(!!) albums that are even better than Long Division.
― The 25 Best Songs Ever Ranked In Order (Deflatormouse), Saturday, 4 December 2021 01:11 (two years ago) link
i might be biased cause it was the first one i picked up, but i was under the impression it was their highest regarded release for a time pre-TWLITF? Secret Name or maybe Christmas was their current release then.
― The 25 Best Songs Ever Ranked In Order (Deflatormouse), Saturday, 4 December 2021 01:38 (two years ago) link
I *love* Long Division AND, according to my ballot, therr e are a solid six Low albums that are better.
― sctttnnnt (pgwp), Saturday, 4 December 2021 02:51 (two years ago) link