A Word Is Also a Picture of a Word

A Word Is Also a Picture of a Word Artist: 31Knots
Label: 54-40 Or Fight
Category: Music


Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1


UPC: 725274000722
EAN: 0725274000722
ASIN: B000063Y3X


Release Date: 2002-04-02

A Word Is Also a Picture of a Word


Related Categories:

General General
Categories | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Indie Rock Indie Rock
Categories | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
General General
Categories | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop Rock Pop Rock
Categories | Pop | Styles | Music

Tracks:

  1. Preface
  2. Tower Of The Middle Of The Month
  3. E For Alpha
  4. Buy High Sell Low
  5. Breathe To Please Them
  6. Flight Of The Moron
  7. Frozen Found Fire
  8. Myopic Fights
  9. Pity Has No Power
  10. Era Of Artillery
  11. Surface Learning

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Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars One of few Landmark Albums .......2006-07-27

31Knots, an indie trio from Portland Oregon have released 3 full length albums and 2 EPs to date. A Word is also a Picture of a Word, their first full length album is the pinnacle of their creativity and song writing; a 5 star album across the board.

`A Word' is an exceptional mix of indie rock and folk with a brilliant sprinkling of math-rock and jazz scaling seamlessly blending the many different segments of each song together. The music on this record takes on a very technical composition but is played and recorded in a very garage sort of way. The production value isn't as high as it is on their newer releases and musical anomalies are audible on many of the songs. However it is this low-fi sound that not only gives more character and depth to the songs but sustenance to the musical genera. I was a big fan of Modest Mouse (Lonesome Crowded West) when I first heard this album and took to it naturally. Unfortunately their subsequent releases have become less and less appetizing as they adopted more traditional song writing methods and phased out using multiple changes, the main ingredient that makes each song on `A Word' so unique and refreshing.

Through which ever fashion it is that you've come to this page, this album belongs in your collection.

5 out of 5 stars yeah, what he said.......2003-03-03

the previous glowing review is absolutely dead on...a really spectacular album that gets better with every listen.I live in Seattle and regret that I didn't hear this sooner because I'm sure they must have played here and I missed them.

5 out of 5 stars Rock music for smart people.......2003-01-09

I'm a music geek from way back. It's gotten so bad that I make top ten lists of the year's releases for myself and a few friends. In past years, I've always struggled for weeks over which album will take the top spot. I sweat over it, make multiple list drafts, and change the number one pick enough times to make my head whirl.
This year was different. There was never any question that "A Word is also a Picture of a Word," by Portland, Oregon's 31 Knots, would take the number one slot.

Unlike many small releases on small labels that I listen to, "A Word..." is a cohesive, complex album that gets better and better each time I listen. It is an album - this is no mere collection of songs, but a work that, like a novel or film, should be experienced in its entirety.
Who do they sound like? Well, you'll get a different response from anyone you ask. I've heard comparisons from Fugazi to Genesis, from Don Caballero to Classical, but these are only signposts - guesses at inspirations.

Who don't they sound like? Anyone else.

"A Word is also a Picture of a Word" is filled with contradictions. The instruments are played masterfully but recorded raw. The vocal melodies are complex, but sung by the voice of the indie rock fan next door. The songs go from melodic to harsh to spare to overwhelming, often within the same 30 second snippet. Still, somehow none of this shape-shifting comes across as forced. The lyrics twist and turn on themselves, leaving room for interpretation without coming across as nonsense. And like the best art, this album reveals more of itself with each listen, though at first listen it all seems so simple.

Music Album:

  1. Best of Creedence Clearwater Revival ~ Creedence Clearwater Revival
  2. How the Hell Do You Spell Rhythum? ~ The Amazing Rhythm Aces
  3. Takk ~ Sigur Rós
  4. The Power of Sound ~ Jonny Polonsky
  5. In Outer Space ~ Sparks
  6. Keys to Ascension 2 (Spec) (Dig) ~ Yes
  7. Mindscapers
  8. Kicks
  9. Fastest Gun Alive/House of Numbers
  10. Greatest ~ Paul McCartney

Music Album

Music Album

Music CD

Major and Minor Swing ~ Tom Morley

Paris Jazz Concert 1965 ~ Jimmy Smith & The Trio

Old And New Dreams ~ Don Cherry, Dewey Redman, Charlie Haden, Ed Blackwell

1928-1964 ~ Eric Dolphy

Birth of a Legend '41-'46 ~ Kenny Baker

All the Best from France ~ Various Artists

Venir Au Monde ~ Manu Lanvin

Instinct de Survie ~ Eska Grew

Marcando a Quadrilha ~ Oswaldo Bettio

Plus Belles Chansons ~ Il Etait une Fois