Album Review: Alan Sparhawk - With Trampled by Turtles

Alan Sparhawk

With Trampled by Turtles

***and1/2 out of *****

Low was an institution. The slowcore, indie rock band from Duluth, MN was the partnership of Alan Sparhawk (guitar and vocals) and his wife Mimi Parker (drums and vocals). Parker passed away in November 2022 and it turned out the next time Sparhawk took the stage was with fellow Duluth friends, the bluegrass outfit Trampled by Turtles.

As life progressed Sparhawk had some songs that never worked with Low and new efforts, so this friendship moved towards a partnership and took new life as the long time friends release this collaborative album on Sub Pop. Sparhawk's first release after Parker's death was nebulous ambient electronic offering, now there is a more organic bluegrass backing that allows him to share his pain. 

On this album the titles of the tracks tell the tale as Sparhawk grapples with death, loss and continuing around Trampled with Turtles florid folk. Opener "Stranger" is a solid start with layers of strings, chugging violin, banjo, all working at a slow pace. The harmonies supporting Sparhawk work as he sings about putting up with strangers and going through some danger, common feelings from anyone who is dealing with the loss of a loved one.   

Sparhawk seems to be calling back to Parker on "Too High" with the line "come down this instant your too high" as the song swells winningly. Some of the best harmonies arrive on "Heaven" which starts yearning and lonely before a huge chorus while "Screaming Song" lives up to it's title with another huge build and screeching violin lines. 

The highlight offering is "Not Broken" as Sparhawk's daughter Hollis joins and sings the the repetitive chorus eerily reminding of Parker and Low. "Princess Road Surgery" is a bit of an outlier and feels the most influenced by the band as the upbeat tune twangs with Trampled By Turtle's string work and dexterity.

The second half of the album continues the reflective, down vibe but a with a bit less success. "Get Still", "Don't Take Your Light" both continue Sparhawk's singing to his lost partner with slow builds, mellow strings and ebbs and flows. Closer "Torn & Ashes" is a semi-sweet, melancholy ending as the players deal with grief and the pain of loss while moving forward through art. 

Everyone deals with loss differently and Alan Sparhawk's next album will likely be vastly different, but at this moment With Trampled by Turtles is a helpful exhale for him (and others) dealing with pain.   

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