THE BOOK OF KNOTS
The Book of Knots (Arclight Records)
Reviewed by Erick Mertz

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Clearly The Book of Knots aspires to tell epic, conceptual tales derived from all ancient things maritime: from diagrams of knots, to pencil drawings of Great Fish to song titles like "Hook" and "From Boston to Bombay," all of the requisite images are evoked. With a grinding, murky sound close to circa 1992 Alice in Chains, the Book of Knots seems to envision life on the open seas a tumultuous, rich and conflicting toss about. Like most concept albums though, there is a great chasm open between success and failure and The Book of Knots tends more toward the latter. Although the sea is a tempting topic to muse on, it has been done often and by much better musicians (see Mike Watt's Contemplating the Engine Room). For as clear as its purpose is stated, the results, aside from the briny sway of guitars and occasional enlightened proposition are muddied and ordinary.

[Pick this up at www.arclightrecords.com.]

© 2004 - Erick Mertz