Knocked Loose – A Different Shade of Blue

New album creates impact

In 2014 Louisville, Kentucky natives Cole Crutchfield, Brian Garris, Isaac Hail, Kevin Otten and Kevin Kane became known as Knocked Loose and in 2016 they released their first LP titled Laugh Tracks. This record became well-received by fans and critics due to how the band made a huge move to follow their hardcore musical influences and how the album displayed satisfying hardcore and metal music. Due to the success of the album, the band began touring the countries of Australia and Japan. In the summer of 2017, the band toured with the metal band Every Time I Die and later in the year, Knocked Loose started to tour around the UK. During late 2017 they made news by announcing they will be headlining their first U.S. tour in early 2018 with fellow hardcore bands Terror, Jesus Piece and Label- Mates Stone. 

Now the band is ready to make another impact because on August 23rd, the band released their second album titled Different Shades Of Blue. This record is a bit different from Laugh Tracks because of how deep the music is. Guitarists Crutchfield, Hail and Otten do a great job with providing loud and erratic guitar riffs and deep tunes, the drumming style by Kane is satisfying on this record because of how well he is able to play thundering drum tempos to match the notes the rest of the band is playing. Also, Garris’s vocals are superb on this record as he adds more volume to his voice on each track. While listening to Laugh Tracks, it is noticeable different Garris’s vocal ranges are and on this record, he is able to raise the volume of his voice by shouting or screaming louder to create emotions which are in the lyrics. The musical taste is different as well because of how the guitar riffs and drum beats have a higher sound which adds more energy to the album. Different Shades of Blue is different from Laugh Track but it promises fans and listeners the right touch of heavy hardcore and metal music.

On Different Shades Of Blue, there are songs which impact the record and one of the songs is titled “Trapped in The Grasp Of a Memory.” This song impacts the record because of how deep the volume of music is. The song starts off with a with rhythmic drum beats by Kane and right after the rhythmic drum beats he switches the drumming style to erratic. Kane does a great job contributing to the heavy music, right after the drumming Garris’s powerful and raw voice starts to make heavier music by shouting out the lyrics in a grungy tune. On the Laugh Tracks record, Garris is shouting out the lyrics but in a lower tone and on Different Shade Of Blue he sings higher and when listening, his shouting sounds grungy with authority. As well, guitarists Crutchfield and Hail do a fantastic job creating deep and electrifying riffs and notes because their guitar style brings high volume to the because the sounds from the guitars sound more amplified and vibrant in contrast to Laugh Tracks. Otten’s bass guitar skills are wild on this track because he impacts the song with wild high-level bass guitar riffs blaring from the background. Overall, this track is amazing and it does offer the satisfaction of hardcore and metal music for those who are hungry to hear the music’s material. 

Another song which displays another impact by Knocked Loose is titled “Guided By The Moon” and what is seemingly interesting about the song is how Kane’s drum beats start off as a minute long rock drum music with Crutchfield’s and Hails unique style of heavy guitar riffs and rhythms complimenting the style of rock beats before Garris starts to sing. In some ways, the song seems to focus more on the instrumentation rather than the vocals because the sounds coming from the drums and guitars brings the raw energy listeners want to hear and the more raw energy the band contributes to the song, the more likely fans, and listeners will hear the music. Also, the vocals are nicely done on this track because Garris is able to keep his shouting on a high note and his authoritative and grunge vocals provide a sense of emotions within the song.  “Guided By The Moon” is a great track and some fans and listeners would appreciate the impact style of hardcore and metal music coming from the instruments and vocals. 

Also the song “Misguided Son” is a great track on the album because of the emotional meaning behind the song. Garris did a dynamic job of writing all the songs for this record and the lyrics to this song seem to have a personal touch as it sounds like Garris has been through a rough time with a parent leaving, so he strongly feels angry and misguided by the actions of the parent. Perhaps some fans and listeners can relate to this song because they may have had their mother or father leaving them during a dark period in their lives. Also, the musical composition matches the theme because the guitar riffs by Crutchfield and Hail create deep and heavy riffs which set the emotional mood of the song. Also, Otten’s bass guitar fills the track with amplified low rumbles which can be clearly heard on the track, Kane’s drumming style is unique because of his angry-sounding drumming and Garris’s vocals are great on this track because his voice is filled with raw and angry emotions. When listening to the song, the feeling of the string emotions and musical energy impacts the mind and soul of fans and listeners. 

Overall, Different Shades Of Blue is a fantastic follow and step up from Laugh Tracks. Fans and listeners will not be disappointed because the music promises an impact of hardcore and metal music.

Cait Stoddard: Hello! My name is Caitlin and my job is writing music news stories and reviewing metal music albums. I enjoy collecting vinyl, playing video games, watching movies and going to concerts.
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