Customer Reviews

Gift Before I Go

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I would have to say that this album brings new meaning to things like Danielle Steel's tribute to Nick Traina. After reading that book, I really started to understand where Nick was coming from and where his songs were headed-but more so, the songs speak for themselves... I like some of the more positive tones in his songs-like "Better Things" and of course, "Gnat" does a lot for reflection.. I would recommend this album but to whomever listens to it, be aware of who Nick Traina really was.. there lies much more within past the surface- This was a "gift before HE went"..

Great final cd of music by Nick Traina. Inspring lyrics, well crafted balance of melody and aggresive punk sounds, and one of the best lo-fi indie pieces I've ever heard in the last song, Gnat (I'm All Alone). It's a beautiful, heartbreaking song, a poingnant reminder of the talent Nick Traina was. THE ONLY EVIL IS IGNORANCE, THE ONLY GOOD IS KNOWLEDGE- NICK TRAINA

I think that all around this CD is a very good one. The best song is "Gnat." It shows a lot of character on Nicks part and it told us all how messed up he was inside. Iam good friends with both Nicks sister and brother and the were left in despiar when he died and they played the song "Gnat" at his funeral.

listening to this cd, it is hard to keep the tears back in my eyes. Nick was such an amazing and talented musician, and its certainly tragic that his life had to end. fortunetly, we are left with the sound of his voice. this cd made me feel like i was listening to link 80 without the horns. beautiful.

I loved Link 80 in high school. I saw them live shortly before Nick passed away. I have yet to see anyone match up to the performance level of Nick 80 since that show. He had a broken leg and he still jumped around and danced more than anyone in the crowd.

Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is that Nick Traina was pure energy, and that fact is very much reflected on this disc. It is truly an awesome 'gift,' 11 tracks varying from some very hardcore ish to some sing-a-long OPIvy-esque Unity joints.

I let my friend listen to this the other day, and he hates Link 80. He says he hates horns in punk bands. But he listened to KNOWLEDGE and loved it. Nick Traina had a real gift, and he left it behind on his last recording.

I really like the song Gnat(I'm all alone) by Knowledge. I'm friends with Nick's brother, and he was heartbroken when he died. We all were. The album is really good. I definately recomend it. Knowledge kicks ass! Buy the album.

After having a friend die in nearly identical circumstances as Nick, it made me want to find out where he was coming from. I listened to the CD and it totally blew me away. It gave me hope and a feeling of peace. I really liked "Gnat". The whole CD is awesome. I highly recomend it.

This album, while fun and an O.K. buy, really fell short for my expectations. I think the story behind this album is crucial to understanding why the album comes up short

Knowledge was Nick "80" Tarina's ska-core out fit after he left Link 80. Mike Park of Asian Man Records thought the band might be a pretty good act after a little tweaking and time together so he signed them(also, AMR was Link 80's label, so Nick and Mike had already worked together) Sadly, Nick killed himself shortly thereafter. Knowledge had recorded a few demos and had submitted them to Mike in the time leading up to Nick's death. After Nick's funeral, his mother(romance author Dianne Steele)asked Mike to put the demo's out as a tribute to Nick. So it was done, and to this day Mike Park has expressed mild regret about the cd being pushed as a true album.

To say the album is not as cohesive as it needs to be is a little bit of an understatement. While the songwriting is solid, you can tell that certain tracks were from one session an the others from different ones. The fact that the tracks were all demo takes shows through in that the sound is lacking and yo can tell the band hadn't quite found a niche musically, meandering from straight up punk, to 3rdwave ska and into true Hardcore at times. The band just wasn't up to snuff and rehearsed enough yet to make an album.

Like I said, this album's strong point is the song writing. The last track shows this off in fine form. I really could only recommend this one if you are a fan of Nick's work with Link 80 or just want to take a chance on some ska-core you haven't heard yet. Also I HIGHLY suggest ording this from the record lable or off the marketplace. Its really not worth 14 dollars plus S&H when you can order direct from the lable for 8 dollars. Nick would have wanted it that way any way

This CD is really awesome. The song Gnat(I'm all alone) is a song that anyone can relate too at some point in their lives. This CD blew me away and I'm sure it will do the same to anyone who buys it. May Nick Traina rest in peace. He truely was a remarkable person and this is reflected through his songs.

this is really a good album.it has different types of music on this. hardcore like inikwity. a classic ska anthem unity. but mostly it is ska punk sound. the best song is gnat. but brotherhood,better things, and still standing are almost as good. a gave it 4 stars because it is to short.