The Great Destroyer is the seventh studio album by American indie rock band Low. It was released on January 25, 2005, as their first recording on Sub Pop Records.

"California", a song about Sparhawk's mother, was released as the album's first single, backed with a demo of "Cue the Strings". A remix EP of "Monkey", entitled "Tonight the Monkeys Die", soon followed. Music videos were created for both.

The title of the album (as well as the song "Silver Rider") is taken from the story within the album art. Sparhawk describes "Cue the Strings" as a "shout-out" to the artists Roy Orbison, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and David Bowie.

Critical reception

The site named it the 46th-best reviewed album of 2005.

Track listing

All songs written by Alan Sparhawk, Mimi Parker and Zak Sally.

Personnel

Low

• Mimi Parker – percussion, vocals, production, mixing

• Zak Sally – bass guitar, production, mixing, painting, illustrations

• Alan Sparhawk – guitar, vocals, production, mixing

Additional personnel

• Gerry Beckley – backing vocals on "Everybody's Song"

• Greg Calbi – mastering at Sterling Sound

• Dave Fridmann – production, mixing, keyboards on "California", "Everybody's Song", "Step", and "Broadway (So Many People)"

• Tom Herbers – engineering

• Jeff Kleinsmith – layout

• Hollis Mae Sparhawk – vocals on "Step", photography

Songs covered

1. "Monkey" – Robert Plant's Band of Joy – Released in 2010

2. "Silver Rider" – Robert Plant's Band of Joy – Released in 2010

3. "Everybody's Song" – Robert Plant with Suzi Dian's Saving Grace – Released in September 26, 2025

Charts

References

External links