AMZ - November, 1999 - No Knife
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Vol 4 Number 1

November, 1999

 

       

 
Artist: No Knife
Title: "Fire in the City of Automatons"
Label: Time Bomb Records
Reviewed by: Vinnie Apicella
Rating:
 

High-density Rock and Roll compliments of "No Knife" on their "Fire In The City Of Automatons" - and just try to escape the rising flames of this one. If the guitar playing on this album were a pitcher's fastball, it would be what they'd call a "heavy" fastball - one that's got a sinking action. So, how do we put that in clarifyable terms as they relate to making music? That's a good question, but there's just something about the guitar sound they get here that eats away at you. This is not to imply overuse of a "Metal" mannerism, because that's not what they're about. The tight unit places great emphasis on harmony along which blissful song structures proudly reside, displaying a fondness for emotion that changes as quickly as the "Heavy Weather" down the Florida coast. However, during those moments when it's under control, say as in "Charming," their elemental Pop presence is up there with the best.

"Angel Bomb" features a bit of a U2-like slant, making smooth use of guitar harmonics and easy vocals, after which rigorous patterns form with "Short Term Memory," "Under the Moon" and "Mission Control," before gently signing off with the light instrumental "If It Moves Kiss It." This album is like the cause of the disturbance and the calming influence all in one, yet probably will never achieve more than underground favoritism because of its deep content and hidden commercialism.

 
 
 
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