Knocked Loose - A Different Shade Of Blue (Pure Noise Records)
It has been 3 years since Knocked Loose released their debut album Laugh Tracks. That record was an assault on the ears, a blistering collection of songs fuelled on adrenaline. From the beginning, the band has tinkered with sounds and rhythms, and by doing so, they’ve ultimately moved the front of the pack. This may be an audacious claim, but as a collective, they’ve become an act to fall for, to worship for the ferocity alone. Not everyone will connect or bow to the hardened, frantic sound, but there’s many who do, and that’s fine.
Togetherness is pivotal for Knocked Loose. They seem tight and assured by their music and their bond. They know the world is a dark place brimming over, full of wars and scars. These wars are plastered over the news, they’re becoming a mainstay, a reminder of how we’re all under the watchful eye, and stuck in a whirlpool of lies and deceit.
New record, A Different Shade Of Blue is a loud monster. A record stylish in its concept but abrasive in its output. We don’t expect anything imprinted in love stories or draped in the freshest of roses, nor do we expect sudden shift in direction. This is not a statement stating that Knocked Loose haven’t risen or experimented, as they sure have. Experimentation can work. But sometimes it can sugar-coat, or can be too radical. On this particular opus, the guitars are louder, the musicianship is tremendous. Over the course, the songs prove how well Knocked Loose has elevated. Elevation is key. Being relevant is also fundamental.
Screams and tension are evident. Through and through, A Different Shade Of Blue, optimises what Knocked Loose is. They’re a band which marry aggressive, intense instrumentals, with hardened vocals. This fierce route, may alienate many newcomers, but it is this band’s charm, their trademark style.
12 songs are here to be examined. “A Serpent’s Touch” is driven purposely. It’s an instrumental masterclass. Screaming tension is apparent, beating against the bones. “Guided By The Moon” is slow then fires off. The high-pitched vocals could shatter glass into intricate pieces. “…And I Still Wander South” is lyrical. The stain of the world is on the mind. Musically, it is bashful, but instantly compelling.
A Different Shade Of Blue is a haunting album at times. These musicians are talented, but are profoundly hurt.