Knekklectric: Alt Blir Verre

The third album from Norway’s Knekklectric (which appears to translate to Knekklectric, which is helpful…) Alt Blir Verre (which appears to translate to Everything Gets Worse, which is bleak…) needs very little deciphering whatsoever, thanks to the confidence with which this entire album is delivered. Taking a bright, progressive framework and gently poking it full of psych, jazz and, well, a willingness not to worry too much about whatever the whole shebang might be classified as, this short album (under 40 minutes) never stops for a breather. Instead, the ethos seems to be to entertain through tightly arranged pieces that are chock full of great little set plays.

“Angra Pa� gets things underway, a tumble of piano setting the scene for guitars, drums and bass to lock in tight with the already exciting motif and immediately hook you in. The production is bright, but never blinding, while the vocals, sung mainly in a local Norwegian dialect, tend to be a layering of voices that magnificently fills the spaces left by the music.

The band comprises Johannes Maaseide (vocals/guitar), Edvard Brother (guitar/backing vocals), Hogne Aarflot (Rhodes, Hammond, synthesisers, piano, glockenspiel and backing vocals), Erlend Alm Lerstad (bass) and Jon Bolstad (drums), but what’s most telling is that there’s no ‘star’ here, with the whole band utterly vital to the success of what’s going on. If I was forced to give a musical comparison at this stage then it might be a more fanciful Beardfish, but then the floating strums and swirls of the album’s title track pretty much puts that notion to the side and instead becomes a much less rock based piece, while still being loosely progressive. “1992� adds a heavier edge, and therefore, with three tracks and nearly half the album behind us, pigeonholing this lot proves pleasingly awkward. This track feeling very much like some sort of shouted celebration, although I believe that the lyrical themes are less exalting.

The more perfunctory, but no less involving “Muknado� takes stock in the only way this band appear to know how - rambunctious vocals, clattering toms, busy guitars and a welcome groove, before the breezier “Rod Bil� provides an almost pop shimmer that no one expected. That allows “Beksvart Gull� to be the most ‘out theeeeerrrreee’ song, with a grating, gyrating opening riff that blurs into bobbing and weaving keys and suitably uncompromising vocals, before “Se Pa Me� closes proceedings in almost reflective style, although it’s not always as smooth a journey as the introduction lulls you to believe.

What’s most apparent on Alt Blir Verre is the cohesive journey it builds from start to finish. The songs ebb and flow, but so too does the effect of using each as a stepping stone towards the end of this disc. That in itself not only makes for a varied, rewarding journey but also for a voyage that you’re ready to begin again, just as soon as the previous experience has come to an end.

Track Listing
1. Angra På 

2. Alt Blir Verre 

3. 1992 

4. Muknado 

5. Rød Bil 

6. Beksvart Gull

7. Se PÃ¥ Me

Added: September 27th 2022
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Knekklectric @ bandcamp
Hits: 542
Language: english

[ Printer Friendly Page ]
[ Send to a Friend ]