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 | Tracklist:
1. The Michael Jordan of Drunk Driving
2. Gift of the Magi 2: Return of the Magi
3. American Tune
4. Back Pack
5. Distance
6. Fucc the Devil
7. Hate, Rain on me
8. If you have Love in your Heart
9. No One
10. Sad Songs (Intermission)
11. Zombie by the Cranberries by Andrew Jackson Jihad
12. People II 2: Still Peoplin'
13. Sorry Bro
14. Skate Park
15. Free Bird
16. Big Bird
| Ranking: #59 for 2011 | |
| | other reviews | YetAnotherBrick (5)
A masterful and ultimately irresistible exercise in catharsis at its most acute, unpolished, and...h... | DynamiteKyle (4.5)
Knife Man takes the band forward in an interesting, and good direction. They have evolved immensely ... | Robin Smith STAFF (4.5)
I wanna give a shit again... | Mike Allen (4.5)
The Michael Jordan of drunk driving played his final game tonight...... | stillill124 (4.5)
Even with the added instrumentation and new ideas, AJJ still manages to feel incredibly honest and u... | Comatorium. (4.5)
Sorry guys, here's a shitty review.... |
On 152 Lists
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1 of 1 thought this review was well written
For all intents and purposes, Andrew Jackson Jihad should not be taken seriously. Their music is sporadic and stripped down, their writing blunt and estranged, and lead man Sean Bonette’s singing is, at best, unbearably whiny. With all of these elements that should make for a disaster, why on Earth is the final product so enamoring? For the average music listener, Andrew Jackson Jihad’s freshest release, Knife Man, might very well be the worst piece of music in existence. But beneath the seemingly dreadful exterior features, there lies a brutal honesty and a mutual understanding between writer and listener that latches onto those who can catch onto it. Songs like track six, “Distance”, which begins with a vulgar display of candid shamelessness, show a side to this punk-folk group that most bands are terrified of revealing – a human side with a beating heart and steaming emotions.
As Knife Man begins with the vignette, “The Michael Jordan of Drunk Driving”, it seems apparent that the group that wrote People That Can Eat People are the Luckiest People In The World has taken a sharp turn. The pace of the record goes from the deceiving plucking on the opener to the pounding assault of the senses of “Gift of the Magi 2: Return of the Magi” that reveals the punk side to Andrew Jackson Jihad. With their fusion of common folk instruments and the energy that accompanies more traditional punk-pop groups, Jihad open themselves up for more versatile ways to portray their odd writing. From the biting satire of “American Tune” and the hilariously self-awareness of “Sad Songs (Intermission)”, the listener comes to understand that Knife Man is not the outing of a group that is spouting songs for a record label, but rather clever writers with an understanding of the world around them. They take this intriguing style to new heights when they pair it with the catchy melodies of “People II: Still Peoplin’” and “Sorry Bro”, giving themselves both the appeal of a pop-punk group, but the sincerity of a well-versed folk outfit.
It isn’t until the album concludes with “Big Bird” that Knife Man really shows its true face. Every snarky and sarcastic line that composed the past fifteen tracks comes to a head when Bonette strips back that mask and shows the pulsing soul behind each of those songs. If it weren’t for “Big Bird”, Knife Man might never have met its full potential. The contrast between the immaturity of “Distance” and the punch-to-the-gut honesty of lines such as “I’m afraid of my grandfather’s cancer/I’m afraid of my mother’s dying arm” seals the record together in a poignant and appropriate way. Jihad’s conclusion to Knife Man is one of those rare moments that completely shifts the perspective of the record from a quick, self-conscious outing from a fun-loving punk-folk group, to a legitimate staple in the modern music scene. Easily one of the best records of the year, Knife Man rises above what has become the norm and shows a side to music that should be embraced.
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 4.5
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Digging: Strapping Young Lad - City Digging: Strapping Young Lad - City | | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
^lol
hey guys just wanna let you know that posting more 4.5 reviews doesn't boost the overall rating for the album. valiant effort and all though dudes.
Digging: Spraynard - Funtitled Digging: Spraynard - Funtitled | | | Album Rating: 4.5
I'm a straight white male in America so of course this is 4.5
Digging: M. Ward - A Wasteland Companion | | |
Is this really that good? I thought I had heard the best that folk punk could possibly have to offer when I saw a Defiance, Ohio and This Bike is a Pipe Bomb show inside of a four bedroom house, but on a cursory listening to this band I wasn't really that impressed initially. Guess I'll have to check this out since everyone's raving about it.
Digging: Black Moon - Enta Da Stage Digging: Black Moon - Enta Da Stage
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
and if i see a penny on the ground
I LEAVE IT ALONE OR FUCKING FLIP IT
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
the first month after you left
i drank and jerked off till i slept
Digging: fun. - Aim and Ignite Digging: fun. - Aim and Ignite | | | Album Rating: 4.5
I'm a little embarrassed that Michael Jordan of Drunk Driving is one of my favorite songs on here
Digging: Deltron 3030 - Deltron 3030 Digging: Deltron 3030 - Deltron 3030 | | | Album Rating: 4.5
I'm not, I fucking love it
| | | Album Rating: 4
Rules, I should check out the rest of their back catalogue.
Digging: The Walkmen - Heaven | | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
People Who Can Eat People.... is so good.
Get that. It's even better than this.
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