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Knapsack

This Conversation Is Ending Starting Right Now (1998)
Alias

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Anchors
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on November 19th 2004

I'm sure a fair amount of you enjoy, or at least are familiar with the band The Jealous Sound. You may or may not know that lead singer Blair Shehan had a band prior to The Jealous Sound, that band was Knapsack, and this is their finest work.

Their career as a band spanned only a meagre three albums, but the talent and cohesiveness of this band can't be measured in the number of albums in their catalog. Because of the success of the Jealous Sound, Knapsack are often overlooked, but this album will let you know exactly why they're not a band to be cast over.

The place that Knapsack really draws you in is with Shehan's voice. It's a talented voice, but at the same time something you feel like you can sing every word along with. It's honest, and it's strong, and unique in a way you don't find with many indie rock bands on the scene today. The voice is something you can find yourself identifying too, and that's how the lyrics are tied in as well. It grabs you as soon as you hear it, and takes you on a ride throughout the albums duration. The sincerity of Shehans voice puts every listener in a place where they understand what this music is about. The lyrics are intelligent, without ever being pretentious or cliché. "The shake of the shame, But it hangs around your name, for the first time you're afraid, And you take what they left, choke on their success, but you're nothing anyway."

The musicianship is tight, and cohesive. The guitar isn't too complex, the drumming isn't exceptional, and the bass isn't overpowering, but it all just fits. Knapsack have even incorporated some quite uncommon instruments into this record, including sleigh bells and an organ. These instruments fell right at home in the music, they don't feel forced as some bands do. The main problem with bands like this is usual feeling of "haven't I heard this song before?" "No," is the answer here. With the added incorporation of a cello, and a violin, there's enough distinction between each song to keep things interesting. Clocking in at around 30 minutes, you won't find yourself having to skip anything here.

This is solid, straightforward indie rock at it's very finest. Music you'll be humming and singing along to as long as your CD will last you. Standout songs are "Katherine The Grateful," "Cinema Stare," and "Change Is All The Rage."

If you enjoy bands such as the Jealous Sound, Rival Schools, Far, and Benton Falls, this is something you'll be doing yourself a favor to purchase.

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Scruffy (June 22, 2006)

Jerking off to history is just that. Clarity is still one of the best albums of all time.

Anonymous (November 26, 2004)

Yeah. JEW's Clarity. Get a clue kids: http://www.fourfa.com/topten/index.html

I prefer Day Three of My Life over this. The production is much better.
Studio polish == boooring.

Anonymous (November 23, 2004)

honey- for interpunk you can send in money/money order/check. no need for credit

belowmerecords (November 22, 2004)

sweet band. sweet album. Anyone know where i can buy a t-shirt?

Anonymous (November 22, 2004)

best emo ever? JAWBOX and im sure people will dissagree but Jimmy Eat World's Clarity is right fucking up there
j money

Anchors (November 22, 2004)

I've unfortunately never been able to locate an actual copy of this. No record stores around here carry it, and I can't find any distro's that have it.

And I don't have a credit card or paypal, so Amazon, Interpunk and similar places are out of question.

I guess a cd-r is what I must settle for.

Anonymous (November 22, 2004)

anchors- i'm not gonna say anything bad about the record cos it does in fact rule...

BUT - this grand statement here someone posted:
"someone has to say it: better than every other emo record EVER"

i cannot agree w/ that b/c RITES OF SPRING for sure is best-ever.
-Janelle

lou (November 22, 2004)

picked up a used copy of this a few years ago... extremely good (especially for 6 bucks). i want solea but have failed to ever find myself any of their material.

Anonymous (November 21, 2004)

this really is a amazing album. it blow me the fuck away the first time i heard it afew year ago and still does. the jealous sound is pretty much perfect in every way.

Anchors (November 21, 2004)

This is honestly the first record I've ever seen nobody bitch about, or say sucks.

Now obviously, some clever person will spite me and do it, but since this has been up here for 3 days and nobody's said anything, my comment remains true.

littleblackridinghood (November 21, 2004)

someone has to say it: better than every other emo record EVER

Anonymous (November 20, 2004)

how is the solea album in comparison to the EP?

Anonymous (November 20, 2004)

this album is amazing. and yes sergie from samiam played on this record. everyone try to get your hands on the solea album too, it's way too good.

Anonymous (November 20, 2004)

Kathrine the Grateful=one of the best songs EVER.

Jesse (November 20, 2004)

Day Three of My New Life has better songs, but the production is pretty much shit compared to this CD.

Anchors (November 20, 2004)

You'd do yourself well to locate a copy of this one, Scott.

maverick (November 19, 2004)

The Jealous Sound rules.

All I've ever heard by Knapsack was a 7" I picked up many moons ago. I liked it.

-Scott