Combining searing rock riffs and sonic, electro backing tracks, the album traverses the serious to the surreal, while maintaining a sense of humour throughout.
A vocal interlude -
Pea Knuckle Skit
- sounds like a
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
spoof as an unidentified man puts on his best Limey accent and rants on about his frozen-pea knuckles.
Like early-era Outkast, The Knux's debut album has a wide-ranging appeal that will win over mainstream listeners, while still earning the admiration of die-hard hip-hoppers.
With an easy bounce and rolling rhymes, The Knux get away with fiercely cutting lyrics, without ever really offending. But don't be fooled - this is not one for the kids.
Part hip-hop, part electro-rock mash-up, no two songs sound the same on this superb debut, which never loses its appeal over its 17-track duration.
Joanna Hunkin