The Great Destroyer, though, lives up to its name. First, it's on Sub Pop, the label that introduced the world to grunge back in the early '90s; second, it's Low with distortion, and an almost pop aesthetic. "California" and "Just Stand Back" both begin with chord sequences that are all sunshine and up-tempo, and the distorted guitars on "Everybody's Song" grate against what sounds like an almost full drum kit.
"It's a hit, it's got soul, steal the show with your rock and roll," sings Sparhawk on "Just Stand Back," "Just stand back, I could turn on you so fast." Low has turned on us, but underneath the gloss, there is Parker's vibrato and minor key harmonies that give even the poppiest song a twinge of Low darkness. The Great Destroyer eats through the molasses and unearths a vibrancy that was there all along, just waiting for the right time to show itself.