Low

Low has seemingly taken a backseat to Retribution Gospel Choir in the last couple of years, as Duluth, Minnesota, mainstay Alan Sparhawk indulges his rock muse with feedback-laden guitar jams and more cathartic crescendos. Low, by contrast, is the anti-crescendo, with most of its compositions putting along at glacial tempos and with cymbal- and floor-tom-heavy percussion. The genius of the Low machine is the emphasis it places on the perfect harmonies of Sparhawk and Mimi Parker and the excitement derived from the few occasions when the trio cuts loose. The group's appearance in Kansas City comes on the heels of a writing and recording period, so expect some new works in addition to material from its percussive 2007 LP, Drums and Guns.