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The Invisible Way
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The Invisible Way Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 20 Ratings

  • Summary: The tenth release for the Minnesota indie rock band featuring Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker was produced by Jeff Tweedy of Wilco.
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Amethyst
You hide you always hide So deep inside the amethyst mine The color bleeds and fades to white What used to be a violent mind Afraid the things they... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. The A.V. Club
    Mar 19, 2013
    91
    It’s as if Low has taken its tried-and-true songwriting formula--a slow buildup into a smoldering climax--and stretched it to the length of an entire album. And an entirely superb one.
  2. Boston Globe
    Mar 19, 2013
    80
    The Invisible Way is as spare, heavy, and lovely as anything Low’s ever done, but it feels essential; there’s an extra beauty to the bleakness of these songs.
  3. DIY Magazine
    Mar 1, 2013
    80
    Parker's vocals have taken a noticeably more prominent role, often duetting with herself rather than her husband.... Songs like 'Four Score' and 'Holy Ghost'--where Parker takes the lead--are buoyed by unashamedly gospel-inflected chorales. And it works, wonderfully.
  4. Delusions of Adequacy
    Jul 31, 2013
    80
    The Invisible Way champions everything that is great about Low and realizes it through a neat and clear lens. It’s a formidable outing and at number ten, a remarkable feat met with solid results.
  5. Pitchfork
    Mar 21, 2013
    73
    Nothing on these songs sounds the least bit rote or comfortable, and that’s remarkable for a band so far into an unlikely career.
  6. The New York Times
    Mar 18, 2013
    70
    Its 10th full-length album in two decades as a band, the band pulls back from that intensity but adds layers of depth and surprise.
  7. Slant Magazine
    Apr 1, 2013
    50
    Low has found what they do well and occasionally even exceed the standards they've set for themselves, but the stoicism and gradual build that comprises the band's best songs is at times defeated by their lyrical disinterest and repetition.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. ShepRock
    Mar 29, 2013
    10
    A perfect 20th anniversary present to all of us mature romantics who love the beautiful harmonies that Alan and Mimi bring to us when theA perfect 20th anniversary present to all of us mature romantics who love the beautiful harmonies that Alan and Mimi bring to us when the twilight hour seems the most comforting.… Expand
  2. Gastropoda
    Dec 23, 2017
    10
    My 1st Low album. It was spring 2013... and their melodies on the vinyl spinin' around...
  4. BENNEB
    Mar 25, 2013
    10
    It would be quite nice...I would say. Generally, I'm not a big fan of sub pop/slowcore though, but this album has caught my attention. IIt would be quite nice...I would say. Generally, I'm not a big fan of sub pop/slowcore though, but this album has caught my attention. I pretty much think of this a a good making. And at least, enjoyable. And surprise surprise, I gave a 10. So buy it!… Expand
  5. moohless
    Mar 22, 2018
    10
    This album would be great if it contained "Holy Ghost", "Just Make It Stop", "On My Own", and 8 songs about cheese. But it has eight otherThis album would be great if it contained "Holy Ghost", "Just Make It Stop", "On My Own", and 8 songs about cheese. But it has eight other great songs, none of which seem to be about cheese. "On My Own" live is quite amazing too.… Expand
  6. mrnice
    Jul 1, 2014
    9
    How this band continues to write melodies that go straight to the 'classics' section of my mind.. that is a gift. I'm not sure the lyrics wereHow this band continues to write melodies that go straight to the 'classics' section of my mind.. that is a gift. I'm not sure the lyrics were consciously thought out, but they still have a depth and meaning that I like to ponder over, like questions to pique your curiosity about a mood or a theme. Music has strengths that no other medium has, and Low plays well on those.… Collapse
  7. Ziggerastica
    Feb 3, 2014
    9
    Low really are on top form! Their last album, C'mon, was a great piece of work and The Invisible Way continue in this rich and intense vein.Low really are on top form! Their last album, C'mon, was a great piece of work and The Invisible Way continue in this rich and intense vein. Featuring more of Mimi Parker's vocals (an excellent move), it features some fantastic singing alongside the usual unsettling, compelling guitars. My album of last year.… Expand
  8. come2whereiam
    Jun 1, 2013
    9
    I have always been a massive fan of both Low and Wilco so you can imagine my excitement when I heard that Jeff Tweedy was on production dutiesI have always been a massive fan of both Low and Wilco so you can imagine my excitement when I heard that Jeff Tweedy was on production duties for ‘The Invisible Way’ Low’s 10th studio album and upon hearing it I can assure you it’s a perfect match. Tweedy has, by keeping the band minimalistic, helped them make perhaps their finest work to date, a subtle and moving record that takes everything you loved about Low and turns it into something darkly beautiful. Piano dominates most of the eleven songs here as do Mimi Parker’s vocals and pushing her to the forefront is a stroke of musical genius, the frailty of her voice giving real gravitas to the songs themes. Opening track ‘Plastic Cup’ tells the story of how a cup used to collect samples to test for drug taking is uncovered many years in the future and revered as a kind of Holy Grail. ‘Just Make It Stop’ is stunning despite its subject matter ‘you see I'm close to the edge, I'm at the end of my rope, the rope is starting to thread, I'm trying to keep my hold’ confesses Mimi before pleading ‘If I could just make it stop’. Elsewhere acoustic guitars hide out in amongst the harmonies, shuffles and handclaps and when Mimi isn’t taking lead vocal she compliments Alan perfectly. Of course this being Low and Jeff there is still some experimentation to be had, the belting keys and fuzzed up guitars in ‘On My Own’ with its ‘Happy Birthday’ refrain for example. But for me the stand out track has to be ‘Clarence White’ a lament to the awesome beauty and destructive power of nature, gospel tinged it rumbles along at a faultless pace as Alan sings ‘You think it’s pretty, but I am a raging river, I’ll cut through your city, just like destroying angels’ for something so stripped back it has real power. And that is what makes these eleven compositions so special, laid bare and raw; you can see just how good a band Low are. Celebrating their 20th anniversary with Tweedy at the helm was definitely the right thing to do and as you will hear the results speak for themselves.… Expand

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