Superabundance

The Young Knives

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 22, 2008)
• Original Release Date: April 22, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rykodisc
• ASIN: B0015I2PJA
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #12,369 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.co.uk

Ashby-de-la-Zouche's favourite sons return with a second album of angular punk-pop songs, lyrical eccentricity, and wry observations that curl an eyebrow at English society like schoolboys gazing at ants through a magnifying glass. Whereas the Young Knives' debut album Voices of Animals and Men felt like a clever spin on the skinny guitars and lurching bass of the post-punk revival bands, Superabundance feels like a bigger, deeper record, one which finds the Young Knives adding layers of guitars, parping trumpets, and orchestral trimmings to the brew. There are further changes to the formula, too: while earlier Young Knives material felt witty and versed in the language of farce, Superabundance is a rather more melancholy, pensive affair, full of quiet disgust. "Up All Night" takes a determined sober look at late-night hedonism: "Everybody looks famous/They've been wasting lots of time/And everybody looks special/In their mind's eye". In the following "Counters", someone gasses themselves in the front seat of their car. Luckily, the Young Knives are compelling enough characters that they can carry off occasional sour vibes without coming on as crotchety old men: take "Dyed in the Wool", a heart-on-sleeve plea for simplicity that rhymes "headlock" with "wedlock" as a means of sneaking into your affections. It works, too. --Louis Pattison

Product Description

After wowing audiences on both sides of the Atlantic, the clever, respectably dressed lads behind hit UK trio Young Knives are releasing Superabundance, the sequel to last year's Silver Certified, Mercury Prize nominated debut, Voice of Animals and Men. A muscular clatter of pulsing guitars, head spinning percussive thuds and harmonic brotherly vocals provide the backbone to their rich tales of eccentricities and angst. Superabundance is a huge progression for Young Knives, from the elevating neon blitz of first single Terra Firma, to the Bond movie massiveness of the epic, stand out track, Turn Tail. US version includes 6 bonus tracks not found on the import.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Indie Pop With an Edge, June 9, 2008

By	Gianmarco Manzione (Tampa, FL USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This album is rife with excellent indie pop that's not afraid to roughen its edges now and then with tougher tracks like "Up All Night"-a kind of exceedingly English Hot Hot Heat-but only kind of. Speaking of which, this is perhaps the most shamelessly English group since Syd Barrett was cutting tracks like "Astronomy Domine" with Pink Floyd-"Knives" is British for "Knaves," for instance, which is exactly how they got their band name. These tweed-clad Brits made a rather auspicious entry onto the scene by declaring themselves "Dead" on their debut EP, "The Young Knives . . . Are Dead." But they're not, you see. Last year they were nominated for the really important-sounding "Nationwide Mercury Prize," and now they're giving geek rock a good name with this truly fantastic new CD. Don't miss out--this one promises to make many "Best Of" lists in 2008.

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