Andrew Jackson Jihad - Knife Man
Rating
RIYL
Bomb the Music IndustryGhost Mice
Alex Grantham
Release Date
09/20/2011
Label
Asian Man RecordsTracklist
01. The Michael Jordan of Drunk Driving02. Gift of the Magi 2: Return of the Magi
03. American Tune
04. Back Pack
05. Distance
06. Fucc the Devil
07. Hate, Rain on me
08. If you have Love in your Heart
09. No One
10. Sad Songs
11. Zombie by the Cranberries by Andrew Jackson Jihad
12. People II 2: Still Peoplin'
13. Sorry Bro
14. Skate Park
15. Free Bird
16. Big Bird
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Knife Man is my first experience with Andrew Jackson Jihad, though with a name like that, I would’ve listened in an instant if anyone had bothered mentioning them to me over the years. The folk duo have been playing music together for seven years, so despite Knife Man’s chunky, free-wheeling instrumentation, the album is actually the product of years of careful refinement. For those of you also unfamiliar with Andrew Jackson Jihad, let me break this to you now: you’re not going to like the vocals. There’s absolutely no way. Ben Gallaty’s vocals exist at the crossroads of Michael Stipe, Billy Corgan, and Luke Jenner (of The Rapture—I know he has less name recognition than the first two). Ben Gallaty’s lyrics are funny, often political, and poignant, the musicianship from the duo and their rotating core of band mates is surprisingly strong and varied, but his vocals will separate the men from the boys in the hurry.
And this is a damn shame because the lyrics and musicianship are so good. As adamantly as the band themselves resist their classification into anti-folk and folk-punk, their approach to upbeat, messy music that is unafraid to go acoustic, laced with a healthy dose of Americana and heaping helpings of socio-political commentary, is both folk and punk enough for me. Regardless of genre, the whole mixture is a compelling and interesting musical miasma. Knife Man exudes an organic sort of feel with lyricism so personal and frank that it bleeds authenticity and invites you to both laugh and think, often within the same song.
“American Tune” is a kazoo-inflected ballad to the perks of being a straight white male in our country. Gallaty croons, “I’ve got a pile of broken mirrors and I’m walking under ladders and I’m spilling tons of salt, because to me it doesn’t matter, ‘cos my skin and my gender and my orientation are the best things to have when you live in this nation—I recommend it highly.” Sure, it’s not subtle or artfully done, but it fits the driving, open nature of the music that backs it, the shambling drums, strummy acoustic guitar, and hints of strings.
The incongruously upbeat, surf-rock-inspired “Distance” captures the exact feeling of being alone for the first time following a break-up, how you live without affect, going through motions mechanically. Gallaty sings, “The first month after you left, I drank and jerked off ‘til I slept. I went to work when I had to, and then came home. I fed the dog when I had to. I fed myself when I had to. I went out of town when I had to, and then came home.” But Gallaty brings his signature self-deprecating humor and a degree of self-awareness to the song when he adds, “I hate whiny fuckin’ songs like this, but I can’t afford a therapist. Sorry guys! Here’s the solo.”
The remainder of the album is an eclectic mix of slower songs and skate-punk ragers, though at 16 tracks, Knife Man might overstay its welcome. That being said, there aren’t too many tracks worth cutting, though the album closers “Free Bird” and “Big Bird” are two big slow tracks that sort of limp across the finish line. Overall, it’s a solid collection of songs with an interesting musical slant that’s sure to be a unique addition to your library. And if you can develop a tolerance to Gallaty’s equally-as-unqiue vocals, you’ve got a nice back catalog to check out post-haste as well.
--Zach Roth
Comments
FL
fantastic album.
www.falseidolphoto.com
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Minnesota
You couldn't pay me to listen to this. A couple songs were more than enough to keep me far, far away...
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Lehigh Valley, PA
I 100% AGREE WITH YOU!
Fishers, Indiana
You couldn't pay me to listen to this. Although that has an entirely different connotation when I say it.
And yeah, I don't expect everyone/anyone to like this. I just picked them out of a hat and worked through my initial distaste to be fair. But this band's been around for years, has a bunch of albums-- they've got a following.
Top Albums: 2011 | 2010 | 2009 || Tumblr | Twitter
Reno, NV
Good one Zach. I'll listen to just about anything if I got paid to listen. This vocals sound pretty scary but the folky punk style music sounds tempting. Probably pass on this unless someone decides its worth their money for me to listen to it.
Current Listenings:
Psychollywood - Psychollywood
Royal Thunder - Cvi
The Next Hundred Years - Troppo
Kyng - Trampled Sun
Kill Devil Hill - Kill Devil Hill
Been jamming this one for a little while now. There are a couple songs that I skip through but overall it's a solid listen. The lyrics are the highlight of this band for me. They're pissed off, sad and funny all at the same time. Also, I like his voice. Not a lot of people do, but that's their problem. Also, if you like this album, at least give Candy Cigarettes and Cap Guns a listen.There's lyrical gold in there, or at least a line or that will make you chuckle
Oklahoma City, OK
I haven't had a chance to give this a thorough listen, but so far it's pretty good. Their previous full lengths "Can't Maintain" and "People that can eat people are the luckiest in the world" I listen to once a week at least. But, some of their EP's, truth be told, are pretty terrible.
On a side note: I saw them open for Frank Turner a few weeks ago and talked to them for a while. They are seriously the two nicest dudes in a band i've ever met. Also, they were selling coozies that said "Skull fuck your thirst" which is pretty damn righteous in and of itself.
Q: What is a gentleman?
A: A man who can play the accordion, but doesn't.
-Tom Waits in an interview with Tom Waits
Fishers, Indiana
Backup has arrived! haha. I'm glad that are people other than me that enjoyed this. I'm not sure I can get down with actually liking his voice, but there's some solid jams on here. I'll have to delve into the back catalog at some point.
Top Albums: 2011 | 2010 | 2009 || Tumblr | Twitter
Oklahoma City, OK
DO IT! For real, the first three tracks on "People who can eat people..." put me in such an awesome place whenever i listen to them. They are way more acoustic based as well. Having listened to this one more though, it's not even close to "People" or "Can't Maintain"
Q: What is a gentleman?
A: A man who can play the accordion, but doesn't.
-Tom Waits in an interview with Tom Waits
Ann Arbor, MI
I have been a fan for years. I will continue to be a fan.
DETH ROK!!!!