ABOUT THIS ITEM

“Smart Flesh” is the follow-up to The Low Anthem’s critically-lauded breakthrough album, “Oh My God, Charlie Darwin”. The majority of the 11 tracks on “Smart Flesh” were recorded in a cavernous and long-vacant pasta sauce factory in Central Falls, Rhode Island, with additional tracking in a former reptile breeder’s garage which they nicknamed “the gator pit.” The album was produced by The Low Anthem and mixed by Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes, M. Ward) with additional mixing by Jesse Lauter, who also engineered much of the album. The Low Anthem are four multi-instrumentalists: Ben Knox Miller, also the primary vocalist, Jeff Prystowsky, Jocie Adams, and newest member Mat Davidson.

The band surveyed dozens of spaces for their portable recording studio: “We knew right away when we stepped into the factory that the space was really the main instrument for the whole record” says Miller. “The resonance was chilling. We were able to experiment with new recording techniques to capture the sound at different distances. Mics 100-200 feet away caught the sound barrelling across the room.” The Low Anthem is fascinated with tone and timbre. The eclectic array of instruments used on “Smart Flesh” include jaw harp, musical saw, stylophone, three antique pump organs (restored by the band) oversized drum kits, and an elaborate scheme to re-amp noise through various chambers of the factory.

Paranormal hitchhikers, taught highwires, aircraft, swelling tumours, whirring machinery, deserted highways, mannequins, cremation and formaldehyde make up the language of “Smart Flesh” - love, longing and vain contortions before death it’s themes.

1. Ghost Woman Blues
2. Apothecary Love
3. Boeing 737
4. Love And Altar
5. Matter Of Time
6. Wire
7. Burn
8. Hey, All You Hippies!
9. I'll Take Out Your Ashes
10. Golden Cattle
11. Smart Flesh