Low - The Exit Papers LP

Described by the band as "a soundtrack to an imaginary film," Low's 2000 release The Exit Papers is a work that's unusually low key and atmospheric, even by this band's very nuanced standards. Instrumental except for some wordless vocal passages, and often working without conventional melody or structure, The Exit Papers plays like an effort to push the boundaries of Low's experimental side, and the minimal melodic frameworks drifting over beds of ambient noise certainly take their traditional slowcore approach to a patiently unrelenting conclusion. The best moments in The Exit Papers work in the way much of Low's best music, creating an emotional pull from simple but evocative elements. However, "Untitled 4," which runs nearly 15 minutes, is a collage of feedback, distortion, and other guitar-based noises that goes on far too long for its own good. Going with the album's concept, perhaps it would have made more sense accompanying some long, tense scene in an offbeat independent thriller, but all by itself it's a lulling but poorly focused noise experiment that's not especially rewarding. The Exit Papers was originally released in a limited edition of 1,000 copies, distributed as part of a subscription program by Temporary Residence Records. This sort of release makes sense for this music; The Exit Papers isn't meant for the average music fan, or even for most of Low's usual audience. This is an experimental album intended for people with a passion for ambient noise, and while Low's Secret Name and Things We Lost in the Fire were beautiful and bold in their pursuit of the elegant detail, The Exit Papers suggests these musicians wandered off the path and had a hard time making their way back. Fans may be interested in hearing this remarkable group stake out new territory, but this is far from their best work. -All Music Guide