4 out of 5

Label: RangHok

Producer: 31 Knots

It’s sloppy, it’s obviously young kids, but it’s sweet, energetic, unique sounding even at this tinny recording level, and definitely 31 Knots.  I guess Algut is their first recording – Joe Haege’s voice sounds a bit more direct on Climax / Anti-Climax – but then again this was all recorded “live” (according to the liner notes), and it definitely has that feel, so who knows.  There aren’t really too many standout tracks here, I won’t lie, and this is the more amped up version of Knots – think of the sort of anger that’s evident on Trump Harm but combine it with the more tricksy guitar work featured on their first couple 54’40 releases (‘Rehearsal Dinner’ and ‘Word is Only…’) and that’s a pretty good mashup of the sound, but then run it through a poor recording that levels out the vocals and guitars…  So why 4 out of 5?  Well, honestly, for some reason these songs stick out more than the ones on Climax for me.  I suppose if I’d only heard this album I could brush 31 Knots off as just another wonky guitar indie band, but returning to it after hearing their growth over the years, it’s a pretty awesome testament to how talented these guys were (and I miss Joe Kelly on drums…) from the get-go.  The compositions, even at this early point, still kick the pants off of most other bands, finding hooks in smashes of guitars, building memorable lyric passages without a defined chorus, it’s just all a little brasher and less focused than what would come, so it’s harder to discern.

Not a first listen, but definitely worth picking up or ordering – just have some good speakers or headphones so you can tune in appropriately.