The Brought Low - Third Record

The Brought Low has been blasting the NYC area for over 10 years now and keeps getting better every time they hit the stage. Their creatively titled Third Record (title and cover no doubt inspired by Portishead’s Third) is an old fashioned 38 minute rock record. Lots of variety and just long enough to listen to on the subway ride from the crib to the gig and will get you there right on time. Ben Howard plays the guit-fiddle and sings, while Robert Russell works the four string and Nick Heller pounds the tubs.

Rompin, stompin opener “Old Century” has a riff that sounds like it could have been lifted straight off the first Kiss tape but with Johnny Thunders sitting in for Ace Frehley. The lyrics deal with growing up lean n mean in Queens and how Roosevelt Avenue aint what it used to be. Without pausing for breath, they slam into the fast paced “Everybody Loves A Whore.” If the first song was classic rock influenced, this one’s classic punk influenced with shades of Black Flag and The Saints battling it out for sonic supremacy on a cover of “Space Station #5” by Montrose.

Songs like “The Kelly Rose” (includes a nice steal from Humble Pie’s “Stone Cold Fever”) and “Matthew’s Grave” are classic mid tempo Brought Low rockers. “Blow Out Your Candles” is kind of Aerosmithy and features some nice shared vocal duties between Ben and Bob. Maybe some of the best since “Don’t Misunderstand Me” by the Rossington-Collins Band. Harmonica blowing comes courtesy of Eric Oblander of Five Horse Johnson. The ladies will love the sleazy bump-n-grind of “My Favorite Waste Of Time” if any of them ever come to one of the shows. There are even some slow ones like “Last Man Alive” and the acoustic guitar (eeeek!) driven “A Thousand Miles Away” for those who like to cry in their beer. They wrap the whole thing up with a scorching instrumental called “Slow Your Roll” that sounds kinda like Deep Purple soundchecking with “Manic Depression” (guest organ by Dave Unger).

All the songs have big musical and lyrical hooks that will have you singing along on the second spin. The production on Third Record is very impressive. Classic without being overly retro and not overdubbed to death with too many guitar tracks. All the instruments sit well in the mix so you can groove along to your favorite player easily.

Back in the 70’s third albums were usually make or break for bands. Let’s hope Small Stone gives this a big push so these guys can start working the big rooms. They just opened for Them Crooked Vultures in NYC and didn’t get boo’d off the stage. The Brought Low will be playing South By Southwest this year and doing some touring to and from Austin, TX. If they come anywhere near you make sure you check them out and have a designated driver to get you home.



--Woody

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