Knocks Homehttp://www.knocksfromtheunderground.com/knocks-from-the-underground/Sat, 04 Sep 2010 15:51:38 +0000en-USSquarespace Site Server v5.11.5 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Like Track Stars by Blip Blip BleepKnocks From the UndergroundSat, 04 Sep 2010 02:58:47 +0000http://www.knocksfromtheunderground.com/knocks-from-the-underground/2010/9/3/like-track-stars-by-blip-blip-bleep.html297424:3053125:8767550By: Keir Bristol
Rating: 4/11

Remember when everyone tried to do that dance-punk thing, thanks to the success of such bands as Panic! At The Disco and Fallout Boy? Electronica-new-wave band Blip Blip Bleep took a cue from Patrick Stump and Brendan Urie, except they replaced most of the guitars with synths and shortened their song titles. The result? 

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]]>http://www.knocksfromtheunderground.com/knocks-from-the-underground/rss-comments-entry-8767550.xmlMusic Notes by Jeremy NollerKnocks From the UndergroundTue, 31 Aug 2010 20:40:00 +0000http://www.knocksfromtheunderground.com/knocks-from-the-underground/2010/8/31/music-notes-by-jeremy-noller.html297424:3053125:8744447By: Eliza Coolidge
Rating: 6/11 

In New York, one can travel the world without leaving its limits. In a city where you can have your pick from falafel, sushi or pierogi within the confines of one square block, it's no wonder the local music scene is as diversely enriched. Jeremy Noller's newest album release, "Music Notes" (expected to officially drop this September), fuses jazz with the alluring, polyrhythmic textures of West African drumming. Noller, a trained jazz kit drummer and world percussionist, frames an intricate multicultural cross-pollination with ease and comfortableness.

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]]>http://www.knocksfromtheunderground.com/knocks-from-the-underground/rss-comments-entry-8744447.xmlLeeiaKnocks From the UndergroundSun, 29 Aug 2010 21:12:27 +0000http://www.knocksfromtheunderground.com/knocks-from-the-underground/2010/8/29/leeia.html297424:3053125:8713547By: Joseph VanBuren
Rating: 7/11

Drawing from a variety of influences such as old school reggae and modern soul, Queens-native Leeia has described her diverse sound as “urban alternative.” A fitting title, in the sense that alternative eventually became the mainstream. For, despite her being an unsigned indie artist, Leeia’s music is undeniably pop.

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]]>http://www.knocksfromtheunderground.com/knocks-from-the-underground/rss-comments-entry-8713547.xmlGSPKnocks From the UndergroundFri, 27 Aug 2010 15:39:56 +0000http://www.knocksfromtheunderground.com/knocks-from-the-underground/2010/8/27/gsp.html297424:3053125:8695578By: Shannon J. Effinger
Rating: 7/11

The jazz group GSP looks to the past and draws inspiration from an array of classic songs. The pace of “Anthropology (2009),” a cover of the great Charlie Parker tune, starts off slow and a little disjointed at first. But gradually, it captures the listener's attention. Nick Lyon’s improvising on alto sax is very intriguing, but he cuts it off rather abruptly and jumps back to the melody way too soon. However, it leaves plenty of room for Galen Pittman’s Fender Rhodes piano, which permeates the sound of the track from then on.

Click here for the full band brief.

]]>http://www.knocksfromtheunderground.com/knocks-from-the-underground/rss-comments-entry-8695578.xmlClose To the Sun by Jody PorterKnocks From the UndergroundTue, 24 Aug 2010 12:38:36 +0000http://www.knocksfromtheunderground.com/knocks-from-the-underground/2010/8/24/close-to-the-sun-by-jody-porter.html297424:3053125:8662248By: Carlyn Worthy
Rating: 8.5/11

Many artists make their start by joining a group to gain recognition. Once they’ve garnered enough exposure, these artists attempt to shy away from their polished image provided by big record companies and pursue their creative ambitions. British guitarist Jody Porter (formerly of Fountains of Wayne) proves it’s more than possible to shed the pop-rock skin with his debut solo album Close To The Sun (Engine Room Recordings, Released May11, 2010).

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]]>http://www.knocksfromtheunderground.com/knocks-from-the-underground/rss-comments-entry-8662248.xmlLandon KnoblockKnocks From the UndergroundSat, 21 Aug 2010 17:57:00 +0000http://www.knocksfromtheunderground.com/knocks-from-the-underground/2010/8/21/landon-knoblock.html297424:3053125:8638127By: Eliza Coolidge
Rating: 7/11

The term jazz (and its profusion of associations and claims) has transcended into a genre-less ubiquity, about as taxonomically definitive as the word "human." Landon Knoblock, an experimental/jazz pianist from our very fine Brooklyn borough, is one to demonstrate the permeability of today's improvised music.

Out of his many projects and ensembles, his experimental trios exhibit the most dynamism and interest. Opposite of what the titles might suggest, Knoblock spares the heavy laser activity and space invasive techniques in songs "Scifi One" and "Scifi Two." Instead, he tactfully wanders from background to foreground with his ms2000 noise, stitching a very complex sonic weave of acoustic and electronic textures.

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]]>http://www.knocksfromtheunderground.com/knocks-from-the-underground/rss-comments-entry-8638127.xmlEric John EignerKnocks From the UndergroundFri, 20 Aug 2010 01:39:31 +0000http://www.knocksfromtheunderground.com/knocks-from-the-underground/2010/8/19/eric-john-eigner.html297424:3053125:8619331By: Ross Edwards
Rating: 8/11

Eric John Eigner’s music is an aural circus, rambling and self-satisfied, working magic as an audience drifts in and out, catching little bits and pieces of moods and scenery. The songs feature various instruments, usually with Eigner on drums, but there must be others where he provides whistle, or some strange atmospheric sound effect.

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]]>http://www.knocksfromtheunderground.com/knocks-from-the-underground/rss-comments-entry-8619331.xmlCheckin' in with LA: Whitetrash ShaolinKnocks From the UndergroundTue, 17 Aug 2010 22:15:18 +0000http://www.knocksfromtheunderground.com/knocks-from-the-underground/2010/8/17/checkin-in-with-la-whitetrash-shaolin.html297424:3053125:8593522By: Keir Bristol
Rating: 8/11

For those hardcore hip-hop fans, the name Whitetrash Shaolin may be a little off-putting. But they do say, never judge a band by their name.

Actually, no one says that, but if they did it would certainly apply here. Whitetrash Shaolin is like Zen Buddhism meets the Pharcyde. The message?  Reach a higher state of being and observe what’s going on with your sixth sense, your third eye. You’ll see clearer – especially if you use Whitetrash Shaolin as Visine.

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]]>http://www.knocksfromtheunderground.com/knocks-from-the-underground/rss-comments-entry-8593522.xmlSinking by DaylightKnocks From the UndergroundSun, 15 Aug 2010 23:14:38 +0000http://www.knocksfromtheunderground.com/knocks-from-the-underground/2010/8/15/sinking-by-daylight.html297424:3053125:8566293By: Joseph VanBuren
Rating: 7/11

With a band named Daylight and a CD called Sinking, this quartet from Pennsylvania instantly sums up the yin and yang of being a melodic/hardcore punk act. Indeed, this 5-song EP, the band’s debut, is a nicely balanced mix of heavy and melodic riffs, with rhythms that follow suit and vocals that are luckily often drowned out by the complexities of the music. 

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]]>http://www.knocksfromtheunderground.com/knocks-from-the-underground/rss-comments-entry-8566293.xmlIan RapienKnocks From the UndergroundFri, 13 Aug 2010 15:59:05 +0000http://www.knocksfromtheunderground.com/knocks-from-the-underground/2010/8/13/ian-rapien.html297424:3053125:8547978By: Shannon Effinger

A native of Southern California, Ian Rapien's promise as a saxophonist is heard when he digs deeper and finds other possibilities within the melody. An example of this can be heard in his cover of late saxophonist Joe Henderson’s tune "Inner Urge.”  Rapien's circular flourishes are playful, bringing new life to the classic track. However, he lacks a certain confidence on two classic pieces by jazz pioneer Thelonious Monk.

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