The Low Anthem recorded the majority of Smart Flesh in a cavernous, vacant pasta sauce factory, using an eclectic array of instruments, like jaw harp, musical saw, stylophone, antique pump organs, and oversized drum kits. The New York Times and Los Angeles Times both call the songs "gorgeous." NPR says it's "beautiful through and through." The deluxe edition includes a bonus disc of additional music and comes in a letterpress, numbered edition.
On February 22, 2011, The Low Anthem released Smart Flesh, the self-produced follow-up to their critically lauded 2009 release, Oh My God, Charlie Darwin, on Nonesuch. The majority of Smart Flesh's 11 tracks were recorded in a cavernous, vacant pasta sauce factory in Central Falls, Rhode Island. Additional tracking was done in a Providence garage (dubbed the “gator pit"). Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes, Monsters of Folk) mixed the record in Omaha with additional mixing by engineer Jesse Lauter (Elvis Perkins) in New York. The Low Anthem is four multi-instrumentalists—Ben Knox Miller, Jeff Prystowsky, Jocie Adams, and newest member Mat Davidson.
Paranormal hitchhikers, taught highwires, aircraft, swelling tumors, whirring machinery, deserted highways, mannequins, cremation, and formaldehyde make up the language of Smart Flesh—its themes include love, longing, and the vain contortions of our lives before death.
The band surveyed dozens of spaces for their portable recording studio. “We knew right away when we stepped into the factory. The space was really the main instrument for the whole record. The resonance was chilling," says Miller. "We were able to experiment with new recording techniques to capture the sound at different distances. Mics 100, even 200 feet away caught the sound barreling 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), and oversized drum kits. An elaborate scheme was employed to re-amp noise through various chambers of the factory.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Produced by The Low Anthem
“Pasta Sauce Factory Sessions” (tracks 1-4, 6, 9-11)
Recorded by Jesse Lauter
Mixed by Mike Mogis
“891 N. Main Sessions” (tracks 5, 7, 8)
Recorded by Dan Cardinal
Mixed by Jesse Lauter
Mastered by Robert C. Ludwig
Designed by Alec Thibodeau and Dan Wood
Cover Photograph: Library of Congress, FSA/OWI Collection
Pasta Sauce Factory Photographs by Ryan Mastro
Deluxe edition printed by DWRI Letterpress
All songs written by The Low Anthem except (1) by George Carter and (6) by Jocie Adams
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This album is available from Nonesuch in the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand only.
MUSICIANS
All instruments played by Ben Knox Miller, Jeff Prystowsky, Jocie Adams, and Mat Davidson
Additional instruments played by Ben Pilgrim (banjo, track 9; harmonium, track 11), Anton Patzner (violin, track 3), Louis Patzner (cello, track 3), and Robert Houllahan (flickering film, track 3)
