Rob’s Album Of The Week: The Low Cards’ Pilgrims Wake

With a sound that’s swampy, bluesy and gritty, The Low Cards from Providence, Rhode Island have a peculiar take on rock & roll. It’s music that’s a spawn between Creedence Clearwater Revival, Tom Waits and a bottle of fine bourbon. There’s an infectious quality to the senses making people gravitate to it like a spell that’s being cast. The band recently self-released their second album, Pilgrims Wake, on July 22 and it’s a bit more polished than their self-titled debut that came out in the fall of 2017. With that being said, it’s a prime example of three musicians joining together to explore new artistic avenues while sticking to their foundation.

Guitarist Dan Baker has a voice that comes straight from the Mississippi Delta. It’s old school blues from the gut adding a heavy dose of authenticity. Upright bassist Brian Jablonski and drummer Matt Slobogan provide rock solid rhythms while giving structure to songs that can be expansive at times. The new album also brings the presence of keys and a violin into the fold. It has a rustic vibe to it but there’s also a contemporary aesthetic.

The Low Cards are just another example of how rich the musical talent is in Providence. Ever since I started living in this city over a decade ago, I’m still blown away by how such a small place can be packed with so many fantastic bands and…