Search - Smog :: Knock Knock

Callahan as Kafka...

will owens | seattle | 12/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm referring to the beautiful third track, River Guard. In it, he makes every sparse poetic line jump out in importance. He begins by "taking the prisoners swimming," which immediately puts him in the role of providing comfort to all of us having been found 'guilty.' That is the condition as K., Camus and countless other writers have suggested. We're born, hence we're condemned. Callahan's guard later sits "in the tall grass" and looks "the other way." He shows a wonderful simplicity here and is conscious of being in an embarrassing situation, not wanting to be constantly watched. It's a song of reprieve. But it's not all about the lyrics. The melody, texture, attitude and overall recording is beautiful. With the philosophy, it's aproaching a contemporary masterpiece. The chorus seems to ask the question, would we even know the definition of freedom if we weren't born into this very difficult existential situation? Like those writers before him, he suggests that without the suffering, freedom would have no meaning. He continues the theme within the guitar crunchiness of No Dancing: "there's always some bird dog snufflin'... always some turtle snappin'." Later in the album he sings, "I don't know where I'm going/All I know is I'll hit the ground runnin'." It's the secularist singer/songwriter at his very best. Listen to this album along with his other moments of brilliance found on the albums Rain on Lens, Dongs..., Supper, The Doctor..., A River..., and Red Apple... Not only does he continue these same themes, he does it in a very catchy, musical, emotional and often rocking way."

I HAD TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY

Stowaway | Australia | 11/11/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In the past, Smog has created dark and introspective releases, relying too much on meloncholy and self absorbtion to try and convey emotion. On this album, he takes a witty, almost cheeky, approach to much of the subject matter.



Definitely his most accessible and most light hearted release, Smog brings together his best collection of tunes on Knock Knock.



His southern drawl and lazy performances give the album a real personality, but dont detract from the obvious enthusiasm he has for his work.



Callahan (on this album) kinda comes off like a Bonnie Billy who takes himself less seriously. This can be a welcome change in the alt. country genre, and lifts Smog outta the pack and shows him up to be the crafty songwriter, and character, that he is.

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