Low in Europe

Filmed over 2002-03, director Sebastian Schrade's Low in Europe follows the band Low--a Duluth, MN trio comprised of husband and wife team guitarist/vocalist Alan Sparhawk and drummer/vocalist Mimi Parker, together with bassist Zak Sally--on a European tour promoting 2002's Trust. Formed in 1993, Low set themselves up as a contrarian band, responding to the speed metal of grunge rock with a sound that is s-l-o-w (in fact, the whole point of Low's act seems to be to purposely play music as if they were stoked to the gills on 'ludes). That's not to say that some of the music isn't interesting: among the 11 live performances excerpted here, "(That's How You Sing) Amazing Grace," "Time Is the Diamond," "Last Snowstorm of the Year," and "Canada" have a certain mesmerizing quality. Unfortunately, the performances are broken up by long stretches of on-the-road footage and interviews that put too fine a point on the band's contention that they are just "ordinary people." Shot on Super 8 and presented with a Dolby Digital stereo soundtrack, DVD extras include 15 minutes of deleted footage. A low-key look at a low-key band, Low in Europe is a low-priority optional purchase. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)