Retribution Gospel Choir

In the trio Retribution Gospel Choir, Low’s Alan Sparhawk and Steve Garrington clear away that band’s tranked-out haze to play raw classic-rock covers and recast Sparhawk’s own material with more distortion and immediacy. The extra lurch doesn't detract from the sickly urgency of tunes such as “Breaker” and “Take Your Time,” released first on Low’s Drums And Guns but reworked on RGC’s 2008 self-titled album. The band’s more sonically expansive Sub Pop debut, 2, finds a balance between fuzzy stompers and weary blue-collared tunes, but the band’s latest effort, The Revolution EP, is a bit more sonically scattered, jumping from upbeat—for Sparhawk, at least—to some downright dirges. For the live show, expect furious drones and the occasional dub-inspired freak-out.

Updated 04/26/2012