• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Crushing Krisis

The Newest Oldest Blog In New Zealand

  • DC Guides
    • DC Events
    • DC New 52
    • DC Rebirth
    • Batman Guide
    • The Sandman Universe
  • Marvel Guides
    • Marvel Events
    • Captain America Guide
    • Iron Man Guide
    • Spider-Man Guide (1963-2018)
    • Spider-Man Guide (2018-Present)
    • Thor Guide
    • X-Men Reading Order
  • Indie & Licensed Comics
    • Spawn
    • Star Wars Guide
      • Expanded Universe Comics (2015 – present)
      • Legends Comics (1977 – 2014)
    • Valiant Guides
  • Drag
    • Canada’s Drag Race
    • Drag Race Belgique
    • Drag Race Down Under
    • Drag Race Sverige (Sweden)
    • Drag Race France
    • Drag Race Philippines
    • Dragula
    • RuPaul’s Drag Race
    • RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars
  • Archive
  • Contact!
You are here: Home / consume / Crushing On / #MusicMonday: “Try To Sleep” – Low

#MusicMonday: “Try To Sleep” – Low

January 2, 2012 by krisis

I hear newly released music via a four-point scale of acquisition.

1. Appointment. I know I love an artist. I know their LP is coming out. I pre-order it.

2. Recognition. I’m aware of an artist, who I might even like, or I hear a song on the radio that I enjoy. I see their name on a release schedule or in a review. I pick up their newest stuff.

3. Guided. A trusted source or a plurality of untrusted sources recommend an artist or album. Alternately, I hear the song enough times to be interested (which, given my lack of radio-listening or television watching, is pretty rare).

4. Acquisition. I am looking for new music in bulk to hear/review and pick an LP based on non-arbitrary factors like reviews by people I trust, how good the third song is, and how cool the LP cover looks.

Low is an example of a band who has moved up the strata year by year. They are presently somewhere around 1.5 on the scale.

It started with Low’s album The Great Destroyer. I had vaguely heard of the band, but though they were shoegaze or slowcore or something else that bores me to tears, so had avoided them until that point (i.e., they failed the #3 test). However, The Great Destroyer had a fantastic name and album cover (#4 sometimes saves me from snobbery in #3),  so I picked it up and wound up loving it. It was a little slow and gazey, but it also featured distinct counter-melodies and witty lyrics.

Fast forward five years, a period in which I picked up no further Low releases. Midway through 2011 I saw Low’s name on the LP C’mon and picked it up purely out of curiosity. Would it sound like Destroyer, or was that merely a catchy outlier?

“Try To Sleep” is the first track and lead single from that album, and without a doubt one of my ten favorites songs of 2011.


(Watch “Try to Sleep” on YouTube. Buy it on Amazon.)

I forget what I was doing when I first heard this song, but I remember making a mad dash for my iPod to see who was singing it so I could rate it five stars. I was surprised that it was Low – while it’s only a minor modification on their typical sparseness, it’s also incredibly pretty.

There are so many compelling factors about this song. First, the dead simple arpeggiated riff that drives it. This is songwriting you can do in your sleep. However, dressing it up acoustic guitar with a chiming xylophone(?) part makes it distinct. Follow that with a plaintive, earnest, imperfect delivery from singer Alan Sparhawk, topped by incandescent line of constant, wide, sighing harmony from drummer Mimi Parker (who later adds simple, effective “ahs”).

Then we arrive at the point that really sells the song. The arrangement stutters on a single chord as Alan implores us twice to try to sleep, and then it blossoms back to the arpeggio. After the slight stutter the endlessly repeated riff sounds revelatory – big and new, and topped with he peculiar line, “Don’t look at the camera.”

Who sleeps on camera? It’s weird and slightly creepy. Yet, we only have a second to contemplate, because before we can sink into the standard progression the song stutters once again, before sending us back to the riff.

It’s a wonderful play on anticipation, and it makes the song much more interesting than if it simply churned through the chord progression without a break.

Also, John Stamos is in the video.

No related posts.

Filed Under: Crushing On

Previous Post: « What I Tweeted, 2012-01-01 Edition
Next Post: How to turn off post revisions in WordPress 3.3 »

Primary Sidebar


Support Crushing Krisis on Patreon
Support CK
on Patreon


Follow me on Twitter Contact me Watch me on Youtube Subscribe to the CK RSS Feed

About CK

About Crushing Krisis
About My Music
About Your Author
Blog Archive
Comics Blogs Only
Contact Krisis
Terms & Conditions

Crushing Comics

Marvel Comics

Marvel Events Guide

Spider-Man Guide

DC Comics

  • Guide to Codename StrykeforceNew For Patrons: Guide to Codename Strykeforce
    My Guide to Codename Strykeforce covers Cyberforce's short-lived sibling, which proved the rule that every team needed a mercenary spinoff. […]
  • Guide to CyberforceNew for Patrons: Guide to Cyberforce by Marc Silvestri
    This Guide to Cyberforce covers the title that launched the last of original six Image Comics imprints, Marc Silvestri's Top Cow Productions. […]
  • Guide to Doom PatrolUpdated: Guide to Doom Patrol
    In 2022 DC collected Rachel Pollack's beloved run on the 1987 Doom Patrol series for the first time! Find that and every other collection! […]
  • Drag Race Belgique Season 1, Episode 6 – “A deux c’est mieu!” makeover challenge Review and Power Ranking
    A deux c’est mieu - two are better! That's the case for the queens of Drag Race Belgique, as they create daughters out of RTBF personalities. […]
  • RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 15, Episode 13 – “Teacher Makeovers” Review & Power Ranking
    The final five of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 15 were challenged with Teacher Makeovers, a subjective challenge that yielded a preordained result from production. […]
  • Guide to X-Men Flagships, 2010-2019Updated: Guide to X-Men flagship titles, 2010 – 2019
    Sometimes X-Men comics make the most sense with a health dose of hindsight. That's why my all-new Guide to X-Men flagship series (2010-2019) makes sense in an all-different way compared to my previous guides covering this period. […]
  • New for Patrons: Guide to Drax the Destroyer
    Learn about the many eras of Drax the Destroyer in my new Guide to Drax, including how the MCU pulled one major detail from each incarnation. […]
  • Guide to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IDW ContinuityNew for Patrons: Guide to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IDW Continuity
    Dig into over 200 issues of turtle power in perfect story order with my Guide to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics at IDW! […]
  • Drag Race Sverige Season 1, Episode 3 – “Drag-a’-mera!” design challenge Review & Power Ranking
    The queens of Drag Race Sverige stress over a Drag-a'-mera unconventional materials design challenge and a pair of intimidating judges in Christer Lindarw & Fredrik Robertsson. […]
  • New for Patrons: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Guide to Mirage Studios Continuity
    Curious about the b&w indie comic origins of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? my Guide to Mirage Studios Continuity covers every issue! […]
  • Drag Race Belgique Season 1, Episode 5 – Snatch Game & Night of 1001 Audrey Hepburns Runway
    The queens of Belgique compete in a oddly low-key Snatch Game and a Night of 1001 Audrey Hepburns runway that emphasized realness over glam. […]
  • RuPauls Drag Race Season 15 Episode 12 - Wigloose The Rusical Title CardRuPaul’s Drag Race Season 15, Episode 12 – “Wigloose The Rusical” Review & Power Ranking
    Wigloose is one of the best Rusicals ever, and it arrives at the perfect moment to address anti-drag, anti-LGBTQA* legislation across America. […]
  • Updated: Guide to X-Men Legacy
    I updated my Guide to X-Men Legacy, but it's more like an anti-update - since Marvel has yet to get around to recollecting Mike Carey's incredibly run. […]
  • Guide to GamoraNew for Patrons: Guide to Gamora
    Learn more about Thanos's adopted daughter and the most dangerous woman in the galaxy in this Guide to Gamora, of the Guardians of the Galaxy […]

Layout copyright © 2017 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress

Links from Crushing Krisis to retailer websites may be in the form of affiliate links. If you purchase through an affiliate link I will receive a minor credit as your referrer. My credit does not affect your purchase price. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to: Amazon Services LLC Associates Program (in the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain), eBay Partner Network, and iTunes Affiliate Program.