31 Knots – Talk Like Blood

Intuition Perfected

Call it Math Rock or the new progressive, 31 Knots fourth album, Talk Like Blood, is noteworthy at worst. Bassist Jay Winebrenner and drummer Jay Pellicci lay the groundwork for singer/guitarist Joe Haege to create a sound most comparable to the Mars Volta, forging success within the balance of sounds and rhythmic sophistication.Intuition Imperfected, one of several highlights, starts whimsically with quarter note broken chords and breaks into an accordion cycle, which repeats throughout the piece. Then the drums, guitar, and vocals enter, maintaining and increasing the dissonance that’s already contaminated the album. The song builds and collapses structurally similar to a classical composition. There’s even a bass line reminiscent to Berlioz’s “Symphonie Fantastique.” It’s an accomplished work only 3:30 in length.

“Hearsay” has the same build but with a bass line most linear to dub. The mixing is perfection with bass at the most pristine volume. It’s impossible not to groove to this piece with a beat so far instilled, you’ll forget your own pulse.

Talk Like Blood is not without it’s problems, however. The majority of the album is so solid that the weaknesses are overt. While rhythmically accurate, the lead track, “City of Dust” doesn’t feel so due to the uneven mesh of pure noise. It’s better suited for the closing track so listeners can relish. “A Void Employs a Kiss” is similar with fancy recorded noise, and merely that. “Proxy and Dominion” sticks out like a sore thumb due to its major key nature, creating a major buzz kill.

Imperfections aside, the sounds created on Talk Like Blood are so revolutionary you need not buy another album this year.