Labels: 54 40 Or Fight! Records
Review by: Mike Whelan
31 Knots aren’t the first band in the world who sound like they learned all about music in art-school, but they’re one of the first bands I’ve heard that sound like they were composed by Picasso.
But their arty-ness is only half of the story. 31 Knots sound like bands I used to love, Spy Versus Spy, Cap’n Jazz, even American Football; but without any of the occasional self-loving that these bands suffered from.
Okay, so sometimes they sound a little odd, but they carry it off without once having to give the proverbial nudge to remind you that they’re serious. The opening song, “Corporal’s Lament,’ is probably the best example of this “” a seafaring epic about a useless ship captain “” strange lyrics and downbeat music that manages to be compelling enough to make you want to hear the next four tracks.
I’ve not heard anything as unpredictable as this in a long time. It’s hard to place what is good about The Rehearsal Dinner EP, maybe it’s the eclectic sound “” the distressed trumpets and thesaurus-worrying lyrics, or maybe it’s just because 31 Knots are every bit as good as their influences while occasionally being better. Either way, this is a gem.