Music For Pleasure' Descriptions | Music for Pleasure Press Release | Music for Pleasure Reviews |  Live Show Reviews

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'Music for Pleasure' Descriptions

With his knack for sing-along melodies, rocking arrangements and decidedly delightful studio effects, Knox has completed 'Music for Pleasure', to winning effect.

Torrential Creativity has been poured out from this new country-rock boy wonder from Seattle to land his first full length release 'Music for Pleasure', Knox comes forth as a despondent troubadour with an iconic 1950’s and 1960s fixation, but it should also be said he has arrived at a sound uniquely his own.  Pointedly simplistic guitar tones seem to be drawn from a less is more sentiment.  Vocals are delivered with a stark honesty which might explain why listeners get hooked.  There are many high spots--such as the groove driven "Soft Seduction" and the plaintive ballad "Asleep at the Wheel" (which features a vocal turn reminiscent of Morrissey). Much of the disc features distinct hooks built around punchy percussion that sends the listener rocking.  It should also be noted that the artwork features commissioned works by renowned folk artist, Kata Billups and are incredibly hip nonetheless.  'Music for Pleasure' is a promise filled with the expectation that this highly prolific songwriter is destined for great things. Without exception this is a roots-rock album worth picking up. 

Knox's de facto front man, sports a colorful performance past, one where he sung acoustic covers of Britney Spear's 'Baby One More Time' as well as pure paint peeler renditions of Gary Glitter's 'Come On, Come On'.  Yet Knox's 'Music for Pleasure' shows us something different.   This layered album spreads its digits far into guitar-heavy Britpop, with full-vocal harmonies carrying bouncy choruses and rich sing-a-long melodies. The tunes sound like a crosshatch of embellished tone and an execution drawing on tight hooks reminiscent of Ryan Adams or Elvis Costello, and, distantly, Knox's own debut EP, 'The Sylvester Road Sessions' (2000). "Baby! Baby! Baby!" and "I Want to Take Your Money and Run" stand as harmonized twists on classic rock-n-roll formulas, the latter featuring humorously naive lines like, "I could take your comb and become a crook remove the bookmarks from your book."   It's a very uplifting and cheery, but it's got dozens of surprises in a mere 10 songs.

I bought this album a while ago. I was looking for something entirely new when I found 'Music For Pleasure'. After I got it home and put it into my cd player, it hasn't left my cd player for weeks. And I still love every song. Knox is one of those extremely rare talents who can get away with putting 10 diverse tracks on an album and have it sound complete.

Even though there are a lot of different styles on this album, all the songs do fit in just fine. Knox shows that he knows how to rock, with tracks like ‘Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is' and 'Rendered', and how to make beautiful ballads such as ‘All I Ask’ and ‘The End’  Above all, it’s clear he is an exceptional songwriter. His lyrics are touching, emotional and sincere. 'I Want To Take Your Money & Run' is an instant classic. But there are more gems on this album. My favorites: 'Shall I Drive?', 'Asleep at the Wheel.', 'Put Your Money', 'Baby! Baby! Baby!', and 'The End.'

Okay, I admit this is the first I've heard of or to listened to Knox. If anything, the write-ups about it is actually what made me give this a spin. Truth be told, Knox's pop-rock songs aren't anything earth-shattering, but just the fact that he's willing to put forth such a raw effort is heartening. There are some truly beautiful moments here. I would say he reminds me of Paul Westerberg, Warren Zevon, and a little of the Stone Roses.  It’s an easy, enjoyable listen. Overall, I like it. It’s true that this one isn't likely to win many new converts, but that's only because it’s a self release and a lot of people unfortunately probably won't ever get to hear this. 

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