The Knockout Pills--s/t
Dead Beat 2003
When you play straightforward garage/punk/rock and roll, it can be really difficult to form your own identity. Of course, the best bands of this genre are able to do just that. Kind of like the Knockout Pills do on this superb self-titled disc of theirs.
The sound of the Knockout Pills could be described as a hybrid of Radio Birdman, Stop Rock and Roll-era Drags, and vintage Cheap Trick. This music is to the point and raw, yet simultaneously melodic and hook-filled, with just the slightest hint of quirkiness mixed in. The liberal use of harmony background vocals proves to be the "x-factor" which seperates the Knockout Pills from the rest of the pack. While wearing their influences openly, this is a band with their own face.
Every song on this album is excellent but there is one standout track--"Confused." This track is the standout mainly in terms of the fact its so different from the rest of the material on the disc. Deviating from the aforementioned hybrid, "Confused" sees the Knockout Pills bringing you Pretty Things-styled action, perfectly. It's not just the fact its different but that it's just as great as the rest of this album's 13 tracks, in spite of the departure.
If you're looking for a slightly fresher sound in your rock and roll, the Knockout Pills are sure to fill your prescription. This is an extremely promising start for an extremely talented band. A keeper, for sure.
Score this CD directly from DEAD BEAT
|
