 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
|
1208 -- Feedback is
Payback 1208
-- Feedback is Payback The
1985/Solex Split LP 31 Knots - A Word Is Also
A Picture Of A Word 31 Knots -- It
Was High Time To Escape (Writer’s Note: After having a couple
more weeks to digest this album I must say that this may be one
of thee best things released all year. Truly original with amazing
songwriting all around. I've had the songs on this album stuck
in my head for weeks now and I can't stop listening to it. Go
get this now!) 31
Knots -- The Funeral Dinner E.P. 32
Frames - Self-titled E.P. The 8-Bit Revival
- Up & Atom 98
Mute -- After The Fall
|
Most
bands are content to run a nearly perpendicular course to the musical
genre they ascribed to, crossing the paths of their musical heroes
and peers pretty regularly. 31 Knots rips a new, perpendicular path
through the jazz, classical, math- and prog-rock music genres, stopping
only long enough to provide self-important music reviewers (like
me) a straw to grasp for. And, to be honest, I 'm still totally
befuddled by this album. What I do know is that Portland-trio 31
Knots are coming to blow your ass away with a sound that loosely
combines the rhythmic and melodic sensibilities of Rush, Polvo,
Shellac, The Fucking Champs, Sonic Youth and a laundry list of others.
"Preface," the first track on the album features clumsy
fingers tinkering on a piano. In the background, listeners get their
first glimpse of Joe Haege's guitar work, which begs the question,
"How many years did he spend at Berkley School of Music?"
The first four seconds of "Tower OF The Middle OF The Month"
and I'm imagining lightening bolts jump from fret to fret. But,
crisp bass work and bounding drum-beats are eager to ground Haege
and the rest of the song plods along adventurously at a medium pace
from anti-climax to climax. Someone once told me that bluegrass
is the "speed metal" of country music; 31 Knots attempts
to prove this theory on "Flight of The Moron," a one-minute
long departure from the rest of the album that has Haege racing
the speed of light with his blue-grass inspired, acoustic guitar
work. "Myopic Fights" is an especially choppy and noisy,
rocker that highlights Jay Winebrenner's high-end bass work and
the band's expulsive even-toned vocals. "Era of Artillery,"
my favorite track, begins with jazzy, meandering guitar work that
would land the band in league with the likes of Karate. The introduction
of Joe Kelly's drums spin the track 360 degrees, and a dark, epic
rock song emerges. The combination of all three band members' vocals,
a mature choir of "classic-rock" male voices, has me checking
the liner-notes, for a guest appearance by Guided By Voices' Bob
Pollard. Even the cover art, provided by Rachel of The Need, avoids
convention and sets the perfect mood for opening the jewel case
and grasping for this intense and raucous album. Kill, pillage,
steal; do what you must to get your grubby paws on this record!
Oh
31 Knots, you get it right where so many other mathy-prog bands get it wrong.
You don't make half-baked attempts at trying to ressurect Breadwinner or take
aimless stabs at Tortoise worship. Instead you have found your own vision of
what it means to cross Yes, King Crimson and Slint into something that sounds
unlike anything many of your misguided peers are up to. Your minimalistic,
wirey, guitar figures meld so well with your more dense, aggressive moments
and moments of jazzy classicalism, that It Was High Time to Escape might just
be the perfect arrangement of pop vs. avant garde I've heard yet. At times
bouncy and catchy and at others extremely abstract and warped, Joe Haege's
plaintive vocal delivery keeps you anchored during all aspects of your sophomore
long player. You're so darkly gorgeous and you never fail to surprise with
some incredibly unique cello on "No Sound" and acoustic melodies
on "Without Wine." I thought that last year's A Word Is Also
a Picture of a Wordand Funeral Dinner EP were quite astonishing
accomplishments, but It Was High Time to Escape is such an amazing
album that it literally blows your former achievements clear out of these uncharted
waters. In four or five years bands will be making half-assed attempts at copying
you.
31
Knots have really caught my ear on this 5 song E.P. Combining rock
with avant garde leanings in a way that I haven't heard since Sweep
The Leg Johnny's debut album, 4 9 21 30. It's really nice
to hear that bands are still making interesting music without any
heavy New Wave, Classic Rock, or (insert current trend) trappings
that seem so prevalent in today's hip underground music scene.
Sometimes
very structured and angular, other times very "free" sounding,
31 Knots like to surprise you. Finding room to incorporate some
unusual instrumentation with their typical "rock" band
setup, by utilizing some piano, trumpet, female vocals, and the
90's favorite lost "unique" instrument, the cello. 31
Knots have also borrowed some other lost 90's elements like the
nostalgic type reflection of bands such as June of 44 and Slint
for the song "Corporal's Lament," which include politically
stinging lines like "Captain this is no time for regret; What
has the chaplain put into your head?; We are paid to murder and
forget." 31 Knots also have an LP out on 54 40' Or Fight!
preceding this E.P which I have not had the great fortune of hearing
yet,
but will soon be seeking out. If you want some serious ear candy
then definitely pick up The Funeral Dinner E.P., if you're
looking for the latest from some new hip rock n' roll moguls then
look elsewhere.
There
is a fundamental element to drag racing, lighter is faster. Cars
are stripped to their bare necessities in order to make a good drag
racing car. Things like power windows, the radio, air conditioning,
and even the windshield wipers are abandoned for the sake of the
sport. These things are completely useless when trying to hurdle
yourself as fast as you can down the track. Think of Louisville's
Thirty-two Frames like a tuned up and stripped down high performance
dragster. You will not find ultra tech guitar parts slowing down
the Thirty-two Frames machine. This E.P. is straight up rockin';
it accelerates, and much like a trip down the drag strip, it runs
full bore to the very end. This is the same style of post-hardcore
made famous by Hot Water Music pure and simple, and Thirty-two Frames
proudly carry the torch onward.
There
are times when my taste buds crave abstract culinary creations loaded
with exotic ingredients and spices. Then, there are some meals where
all I long for is a good old slice of cheese pizza; beautifully
simple, familiar, and equally fulfilling. 8 Bit Revival's Up
& Atom is my slice of cheese pizza in a wash of music that
is full of exotic ingredients. The Dayton based 8-Bit is able to
retain originality yet still feel comfortably familiar. Lyrics are
soothing, sincere, and are sung with a reassuring imperfection.
Complimenting the singing are guitar licks, in the vein of slightly
more upbeat early Sunny Day Real Estate, that are sure to incite
uncontrollable toe tapping. So Much Time is a wonderful example
of the 8-bit style; the guitar work seemingly floats by and seamlessly
unites each and every musical part of the song. The only bad thing
that can be said about Up & Atom is that with only four
tracks you will be left wanting more. 
