Bent Knee

I was a little bit disappointed by Say So, not that it's a bad album I do like it, but the songs seems to be harder to get into, less accessible and not so memorable. The ideas/compositions are a bit confused and so the album loses its punch. There are many good moments throughout but overall this is my least favorite album. Land Animal is better for me in any way, sounds to me like Bent Knee is back on track here, the songs works well and the band sounds much more focused, inspired and interesting.

people whom like this might also find Major Parkinson, Gåte and Animal Alpha exieting. slight nod to System of a Down as well.

Edited by Icarium - October 13 2017 at 08:19

Guldbamsen wrote: My fave is also the debut but the most recent Land Animal is slowly opening up to me in a way that Say So never managed to do. I like Say So when I first got it and span it occasionally which seems to be the same story regarding LA...but LA seems to drag me back for more spins. Unlike previous posters here I don't necessarily miss the heaviness of the debut. I think the novelty factor of it as well as it being the very first thing I heard from the group is part of why it still reigns supreme. Our favourites are often our first encounters with x band/artist. It'd be cool if the order of albums were reversed so as SEB was the new one.

I Love You Doggy

My one petty criticism of Land Animal: there's a bit of a drop in intensity after the title track. The last four songs are good but I feel that Boxes would have a much larger impact if it was behind a song like These Hands or Land Animal instead of The Well, which to me sounds like an album closer itself.

Otherwise I don't really view the new album as better or worse than Shiny Eyed Babies. Really depends on what you liked about SEB. The music in Land Animal is less exaggerated (for lack of a better word) than that of SEB, but it's still highly eclectic and dynamic and I don't find myself wanting any more heaviness than there already is. May just be my bias against heavier music.

Related news: from what I've heard, Ben Levin has a bunch of material he's finishing up with. So there should be at least one Ben Levin Group album next year. Additionally, Courtney's solo EP is (finally) being released next month (Though I don't think Courtney's solo material would be much appreciated by the prog community).

An amazing band live with some great material, but I agree that sometimes the "concept" takes over and doesn't let the songs shine through. Regardless, you will not be disappointed by their live set. See them if you can.

The band did an in-studio performance in Rochester for WAYO's "Show of Prague." It includes a ~15 minute interview, and a ~45 minute performance featuring 6 songs from their upcoming album.

Guldbamsen wrote: Love this band. Shiny Eyed Babies is one of a few rare rock albums this millennium to genuinely sound unique. It's going to be tough trumping it, but I am still very much looking forward to the new one.

Nogbad_The_Bad wrote: Saw the band on Saturday at a secret gig in Boston where they were filming the new album, same venue as I saw Gutbucket last year, only about 20 invited guests. They played the whole of the new album, sounds like really strong stuff, couple of really high energy bouncy tracks with the band going full tilt plus a couple of slower numbers, nice variety. Had to look round 4 cameramen who were in the bands faces all night but a really excellent night.

Edited by Zugzwang - April 05 2017 at 15:02

They're kind of my "hey I know a famous person" band. I've been in casual contact with Ben over the last two years and I've met Courtney before. 

Edited by Thatfabulousalien - April 04 2017 at 20:46