| Ode to Io | ||
|---|---|---|
 Original album cover. Reissue cover is below. | ||
| Studio album by Lowrider | ||
| Released | September 19 2000 | |
| Recorded | November 1999 at KM Studio in Karlskoga, Sweden | |
| Genre | Stoner Rock | |
| Length | 52:29 (Ode to Io) 30:37 (Bonus Disc) | |
| Label | MeteorCity Records | |
| Producer | Lowrider | |
| Lowrider chronology | ||
| Nebula / Lowrider (1999) |
Ode to Io (2000) |
Refractions (2020) |
| Alternative Cover | ||
| ||
Ode to Io is the debut studio album by the Swedish stoner rock band Lowrider. Released in 2000 initially via American label MeteorCity Records. Recorded in the first and third week of November 1999, it would be released nearly a year later, attaining positive reviews but notably frequent comparisons to Kyuss. Ode to Io however had managed to attain a cult-like status and is cited as an underrated album in stoner rock.
Background[]
Following the release of the band's split with Nebula, Lowrider would record their debut album at KM Studios in Karlskoga by drummer Andreas Eriksson. The iconic album photo would be taken at an old viking burial site in 1999. Prior to the album's release the band would tour with Dozer and Spiritual Beggars,[1] Ode to Io would see release on CD in September 2000, with German label "I Used to Fuck People Like You in Prison" Records handling the European CD and LP issues.
Reviews at the time were somewhat mixed. Notably, Kerrang! would sarcastically awarding them the “Most Convincing Kyuss Clones Award.” while detractors would use the Kyuss comparison to laud the band's sound and the album as a whole.[2] However some reviews at the time would praise the record. Craig Regala, writing for Lollipop Magazine, would notably praise the album with the statement " Kyuss cracks reality at night, Lowrider moves into that schism during the day, widens it, and light shines through to the masses and, TA-DA!, real rock gains another foothold.".[3] Keith Henderson, writing for Aural Innovations in January 2001, would cite the album as a grower and even praise it over some more famous names in stoner rock.[4]
In the years since Lowrider's breakup in 2003 Ode to Io would attain somewhat of a cult status, being revered over time by various publications. Following Lowrider's reunion in 2013 the album would gain further notoriety and retroactive praise.[5][6] In 2017 Lowrider would re-issue Ode to Io with new artwork, a full re-master and six bonus tracks. The bonus tracks would comprise of the five songs from the 'Nebula / Lowrider Split EP, along with "David William Hughes" on the I Am Vengeance compilation. However the band would omit their cover of "Freelance Fiend" by Leaf Hound from the Sucking The 70s compilation. In 2020 to compliment the release of their comeback album Refractions, Ode to Io would be re-released on double CD and double vinyl via Blues Funeral Recordings in 2020, eliciting new reviews and further retroactive praise.[7][8]
Tracklist[]
All songs written by Peder Bergstrand except where noted. Lyrics by Lowrider.
Ode to Io[]
- 1. Caravan (3:30)
- 2. Flat Earth (5:35)
- 3. Convoy V (5:14)
- 4. Dust Settlin' (5:04)
- 5. Sun Devil (1:15) (Ola Hellquist)
- 6. Anchor (5:38) (Bergstrand, Hellquist)
- 7. Texas Pt. I & II (7:34) (Bergstrand, Hellquist)
- 8. Riding Shotgun (6:06)
- 9. Saguaro (5:20) (Bergstrand, Hellquist)
- 10. Ode to Io (7:15)
Re-issue Bonus Tracks[]
- 11. Lamaneshma (4:57)
- 12. The Gnome, The Serpent, The Sun (5:24)
- 13. Shivaree (5:46)
- 14. Ol' Mule Pepe (4:38)
- 15. Upon The Dune (5:55)
- 16. David William Hughes (3:57)
Personnel[]
- Peder Bergstrand - Bass, Vocals, Artwork
- Andreas Eriksson - Drums, Engineer, Mixing, Mastering
- Niclas Stålfors - Guitar
- Ola Hellquist - Guitar, Vocals
- Felix Daneken Jr. Opening Riff (Flat Earth)
- Daniel Onnerlov - Album Photography
- Karate Kommando - Cover Concept, Layout
- Thomas Eberger - Remastering (2017)
- Falk-Hagen Bernshausen - Live Photography (Reissue)
External Links[]
References[]
| V·T·E Lowrider | |
|---|---|
| Current Members | Ola Hellquist • Niclas Stålfors • Andreas Eriksson • Peder Bergstrand |
| Studio Albums | Ode to Io • Refractions |
| Splits | Sparzanza / Lowrider • Nebula / Lowrider |
| Associated Bands and Artists | Dozer • I Are Droid |