Lowlands "The Last Call" (Gypsy Child Records, 2008)

Classic Americana from Northern Italy


Hailing from Pavia in Northern Italy, Lowlands are a seven piece band led by singer/songwriter Edward Abbiati. Their debut album 'The Last Call' further disproves the myth that only North America can produce Alt. Country bands of high quality.

Over the course of the twelve tracks on this album, Edward Abbiati shows that he is a songwriter of exceptional talent. From beautiful and sparse tracks like '38th and Lawton' and 'In Between', to the country rock epics 'That's Me on the Page' and 'You Can Never Go Back', Abbiati shows the emotional capacity to be able to craft songs about lost love and regained hope that resonates with the listener.

Elsewhere Lowlands prove that they are a great bar band. Opening track 'Ghosts in This Town' is what it would sound like if Willy Vlautin fronted The Pogues while 'Friday Night' wouldn't sound out of place on Richmond Fontaine's album 'Lost Son'. 'In The End' has the sort of raucous sing-a-long chorus The Felice Brothers would be proud of and "Leaving NYC" pays homage to Abbiati's hero Bruce Springsteen and even quotes some of his song titles in the lyrics. However, it would be unfair to label Lowlands as copyists, they have taken influences from artists that they love and have put their own identity onto it.

'The Last Call' is an extremely good debut album by a band who on this showing could have a very bright future.

Date review added:  Sunday, August 31, 2008
Reviewer:  Steve Wills
Reviewers Rating:
Related web link:  Band Website