Low

"The Great Destroyer" is the seventh studio album by American indie rock group Low. It was released on January 25, 2005. The album marks a departure from the band's slow, minimalistic and melancholy sound which they were known for and steps into a more upbeat and extensive sound, creating the band's most abrasive collection of songs yet. Despite the changes, the band maintained their harmonizing vocals and emotive lyrics. The album is highly significant in the band's discography as it displays how Low, at their core, is an innovative band willing to challenge their style. The band trio during this album was comprised of Alan Sparhawk, Mimi Parker, and Zak Sally. A more diverse range of instruments was used in this album, featuring a notable presence of electric guitar. Despite its more unconventional style for Low, "The Great Destroyer" received critical acclaim. Critics lauded it for its combination of beauty and noise. The song "California" was particularly popular and showcased the band's new direction very well. In the end, "The Great Destroyer" was able to successfully break the mold of Low's previous works, catapulting them into a new and exciting phase of their musical journey.