Gig roundup: The Low Anthem arrives with momentum

When I first heard "Charlie Darwin," the opening track on The Low Anthem's "Oh My God, Charlie Darwin" disc, I thought for sure I was hearing Great Lake Swimmers.

After that first atmospheric, emotive, falsetto acoustic track, the Rhode Island trio's Nonesuch Records debut casts a wider net, drawing on folk (hints of Dylan), rock (a dash of Springsteen), blues and other styles to create something all its own.

You can't call it alt.country, and you can't call it new folk; nor is it strictly rock and roll.

Whatever you call it, it works. "Oh My God, Charlie Darwin" is one of the best records of 2009. You don't have to take my word for it. Everyone from The New York Times to NPR's Bob Boilen and Milwaukee's own Muzzle of Bees ranked it in the top 10 CDs of the year. And its life appears to only be just beginning.

When this week's Milwaukee show -- Saturday, March 6 at the Riverside supporting The Avett Brothers -- was first booked, it was slated for Turner Hall Ballroom. But due in part to the Avetts, but certainly in part to The Low Anthem's growing momentum, the gig was moved to the Riverside to meet demand for tickets.

Packaged in an organic-looking screen printed digipak, "Oh My God, Charlie Darwin" looks as understated as it sounds. And the beauty lies in that understatement, that careful attention to detail.

My co-worker Drew Olson saw the band live in Boston last month and came back raving, so I heartily encourage you to get on board now and see The Low Anthem this week. Show time is 8 p.m. and general admission tickets are $25. -- Bobby Tanzilo