A Lifetime of Temporary Relief: 10 Years of B-Sides & Rarities

Rock · 2004 · 45 tracks

A Lifetime of Temporary Relief: 10 Years of B-Sides & Rarities

July 19, 2004 · Classic

This expansive collection is a deep dive into the hushed, often haunting world of Low, presenting a treasure trove of B-sides, rarities, and covers from their formative first ten years.

Expect a journey through minimalist rock, characterized by sparse arrangements, shimmering guitars, and the exquisite, intertwined harmonies of Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker.

It's an album that rewards patient listening, revealing subtle emotional depths and the quiet power that defines slowcore. AllMusic praised its comprehensiveness, noting it's an essential document for fans and a testament to their consistent artistic vision.

Tracklist · 45 Tracks

01

Lullaby (demo)

10:06

02

Cut (demo)

5:42

03

Heartbeat

4:09

04

Peanut Butter Toast and American Bandstand

2:24

05

Tired

5:11

06

I Started a Joke

4:28

07

The Plan (demo)

2:51

08

Prisoner (demo)

6:10

12

Bright

1:45

13

Walk You Out

4:46

14

Tear Down

4:48

15

Standby

5:11

16

David & Jude

1:22

17

Cheek

3:25

18

Venus

3:45

19

Boyfriends & Girlfriends

6:07

20

Surf

2:31

21

No Need (version 1)

5:04

22

Be There

8:29

23

Lift

5:45

24

Joan of Arc

3:22

25

Long Long Long

3:51

26

Lion/Lamb (demo)

3:51

27

Will the Night (demo)

2:47

29

Joan of Arc (20 Below mix)

3:25

31

Try Try Try

0:37

32

Lord, Can You Hear Me?

6:24

33

Venus (Time Stereo Dub mix)

3:52

35

[silence]

2:50

36

Words (live, in Misfits style)

2:50

37

Turn (live, in Misfits style)

1:04

38

Over the Ocean (live, in Misfits style)

1:37

39

I Remember

3:22

40

Kindly Blessed

2:18

41

Blue-Eyed Devil

5:02

42

Sleep at the Bottom

4:55

43

When You Walked Out on Me

3:55

44

Back Home Again

5:20

45

Don’t Drop the Baby

4:03

46

Surfer Girl

3:35

47

Blowin’ in the Wind

3:50

48

Open Arms

4:02

49

…I Love

2:45

50

Carnival Queen

5:14

55

Fearless

6:21

Moments Worth Listening For

The unexpected raw power of a live track, contrasting with the studio polish of other pieces, perhaps a cover that takes on new life through their minimalist lens.

A particular B-side where Mimi Parker's lead vocal carries an especially poignant, almost whispered melody over a single, sustained guitar chord, creating immense emotional weight.

The subtle introduction of electronic textures on a later track, hinting at their future experimental directions and expanding their sonic palette.

A track featuring an unusually prominent, almost percussive bassline that drives the slow tempo, adding a grounded intensity to their ethereal sound.

Reviews

Also reviewed byAllMusic

Where This Album Departs

How does A Lifetime of Temporary Relief: 10 Years of B-Sides & Rarities sound next to the rest of Low's catalogue?

This album stays in step with the catalogue across the board — no axis departs enough to be worth its own note. Hover the dots to see where each one sits.

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