Search - 31knots :: A Word Is Also A Picture Of A Word

Rock music for smart people

01/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a music geek from way back. It's gotten so bad that I make top ten lists of the year's releases for myself and a few friends. In past years, I've always struggled for weeks over which album will take the top spot. I sweat over it, make multiple list drafts, and change the number one pick enough times to make my head whirl.
This year was different. There was never any question that "A Word is also a Picture of a Word," by Portland, Oregon's 31 Knots, would take the number one slot. Unlike many small releases on small labels that I listen to, "A Word..." is a cohesive, complex album that gets better and better each time I listen. It is an album - this is no mere collection of songs, but a work that, like a novel or film, should be experienced in its entirety.
Who do they sound like? Well, you'll get a different response from anyone you ask. I've heard comparisons from Fugazi to Genesis, from Don Caballero to Classical, but these are only signposts - guesses at inspirations.Who don't they sound like? Anyone else."A Word is also a Picture of a Word" is filled with contradictions. The instruments are played masterfully but recorded raw. The vocal melodies are complex, but sung by the voice of the indie rock fan next door. The songs go from melodic to harsh to spare to overwhelming, often within the same 30 second snippet. Still, somehow none of this shape-shifting comes across as forced. The lyrics twist and turn on themselves, leaving room for interpretation without coming across as nonsense. And like the best art, this album reveals more of itself with each listen, though at first listen it all seems so simple.Do yourself a favor and buy "A Word is also a Picture of a Word." You can thank me later."

One of few Landmark Albums

Dylan Bailey | Costa Mesa, CA United States | 07/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"31Knots, an indie trio from Portland Oregon have released 3 full length albums and 2 EPs to date. A Word is also a Picture of a Word, their first full length album is the pinnacle of their creativity and song writing; a 5 star album across the board.



`A Word' is an exceptional mix of indie rock and folk with a brilliant sprinkling of math-rock and jazz scaling seamlessly blending the many different segments of each song together. The music on this record takes on a very technical composition but is played and recorded in a very garage sort of way. The production value isn't as high as it is on their newer releases and musical anomalies are audible on many of the songs. However it is this low-fi sound that not only gives more character and depth to the songs but sustenance to the musical genera. I was a big fan of Modest Mouse (Lonesome Crowded West) when I first heard this album and took to it naturally. Unfortunately their subsequent releases have become less and less appetizing as they adopted more traditional song writing methods and phased out using multiple changes, the main ingredient that makes each song on `A Word' so unique and refreshing.



Through which ever fashion it is that you've come to this page, this album belongs in your collection.

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