The idea of “catchy cacophony” is nothing new in the musical realm. As music has over time become arguably much more esoteric, so have so-called “alternative” acts that consistently push the boundaries of what is commonly thought of as harmonious. The challenge, of course, is that bands who choose this route have to retain a sense of accessibility in order to gain a generous ear and, in turn, a fanbase, record deal, etc.
The shortcomings of Portland, Oregon’s 31 Knots on their new release Worried Well have nothing to do with musicianship. These guys are indie rock virtuosos: drummer Jay Pellicci changes downbeats to upbeats on the turn of a dime; bassist Jay Winebrenner holds down the tempo and keeps it true to former sketches of rock; and singer/guitarist Joe Haege utilizes chromatics like he does his vocals -- as the sound of a General calling his soldiers into an end-of-the-world battle.
It’s truly an epic formula that utilizes each member’s strengths, and around track three, "The Breaks," it all begins to sound the same. In fact, during “Take Away the Landscape,” even the band seems a little bored with its continual battle of normality and insanity, which simply cannot sell the songs to the listener. It’s not that 31 Knots aren’t succeeding in flexing their musical chops -- they just don’t know where to take them.
What makes this so frustrating is that there are moments of superb greatness that accent Worried Well: From the call-and-response between Haege and his army in “Compass Command” ("Ladies/ Yes/ Are you ready?/ Yes/ Alright now who can tell me the universal rule of thumb?/ Kill or be killed") to the beat that fuels “Upping the Mandate,” a cross between the start menu of a Japanese racing video game and a lost Kanye West song from Graduation.
These moments are what set 31 Knots apart from the slew of others who attempt to capture noise in a bottle. But after three full-length albums of lost direction, it’s getting harder to believe these talented musicians can ever find their true artistic calling.