Low Culture
Places To Hide
Second album from Portland-by-way-of-New-Mexico Dirtnap favorites! Low Culture features members of Shang-A-Lang and Marked Men, splitting the sonic difference between the two-scrappy, melodic, and sometimes jangly garage-punk that is fast, catchy, and high-energy-as-hell, but also thoughtful. Since releasing their debut LP Screens, which quickly sold out its initial pressing and was well-received, a lot has been going on in Low Cultures world. Most of the band has relocated from Las Cruces, NM to Portland, OR, with the last member soon to follow. Theyve released 7-inches on Dirtnap, Dead Broke, and La-Ti-Da Records. They found a new bass player in Chicago transplant Jay Castaldi (MOTO, Lynyrds Innards, more). The band helped form killer local hardcore band Macho Boys. Singer/guitarist Chris Mason has released tons of essential records on his great Dirt Cult Records label. Theyve done some touring, including high-profile shows like the Dirtnap Records Anniversary, Awesome Fest, Ottawa Explosion, and others. On Places To Hide, Low Culture nails the delicate balance between the bands existing strengths and branching out into new territory. Personal, somewhat depressive lyrics still set the mood, although many of the songs also tackle social/political issues more directly than in the past. The production, by Stan Wright at Portlands Buzz Or Howl Studios (Red Dons, Criminal Code, Pierced Arrows, tons more) accentuates the bands more "punk" (as opposed to garage) side. All in all, this second album is a perfect follow up to a nearly perfect debut.