You probably haven’t heard The Knux [click to read]. New Orleands raised brothers Krispy Kream and Rah Al Millio have built quite a buzz around the net for their musicianship but that excitement hasn’t gone beyond small music circles. Within said small circles, their buzz has been bubbling and they are being talked about more than heard. That has perks and disadvantages. With compliments, there are doubts. Outkast wannabe’s. Too much rock. De La wannabe’s. Too much singing. Tribe [click to read], wannabe’s. Too abstract. Hipster Rap. The labels have been placed. But, if you still haven’t really heard The Knux, their latest album Remind Me in 3 Days… is out and the duo is doing their best to make that buzz grow into respect.
There’s definitely a fresh newness to the crew. Their knack for diverse sounds and their pop inclinations help create an interesting vibe. For instance, “Fire (Put it in the Air)” and “Bang! Bang!” are two completely different beats, but each resonates and contains a catchy tune without sacrificing art for simplicity. Later, “Shine Again” proves they have a sensibility with spiral notebooks and storytelling. Without missing a beat, “The Train” “Life in a Cage” and “Playboys” provide upbeat kicks and flows while “The True” adds even more compelling layers of balance between rhythm and lyrical expression. “Lights Camera Action” is another dimension of their aptitude for poppy yet compelling songwriting. The clever instrumentation, which blends the unlikely mix of alternative rock, some techno and Hip Hop beats, sets an undeniable bed of fresh and versatile sounds.
But, for all of their effort, there is still work to be done. The album kicks off with “The List” which isn’t exactly the best first impression. Next, their first single “Capuccino” sounds like a terrible coffee shop commercial even with an attempt to lyrically slick. “Daddy’s Little Girl” is a bit of a throwback, but it fails in that it sounds more like a Fergie flow than anything else. “Powder Room” and “Parking Lot” get lost in the shuffle and become forgotten tracks for not being as strong as the rest. Although they create more good than bad, it’s hard to ignore the pitfalls that bring disarray to cohesion and direction.
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Nevertheless, their melody driven deliveries and hook based songwriting elevates the crew above the fray. The fact that they produced and rapped/sung on the entire album also sets them apart. There’s no one in their class because they have their own lane. The sound is a blend of a lot of past successes, but the result is uniquely theirs. It’s that unorthodox approach that has enabled them to be featured on TV and blogs around the net and it’s their ability to create these catchy, fun yet compelling songs that will help their buzz grow even more. You probably haven’t heard The Knux, but you soon will.
