Surfacing: KNESSET

on Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Words: Jack Thomson


Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, KNESSET (pronounced Ka-Ness-Et) are not to be confused with the legislative sector of the Israeli Government. They are in fact a four piece band that fuse towering shoegaze textures with energetic pop hooks and honest lyrics, to produce tracks that wouldn't sound out of place on Sofia Coppola's 'Lost In Translation' soundtrack.

Their debut LP, 'Coming Of Age' was released February 16 via Japanese label & Records and was mixed by the talented John Congleton (who's worked with St. Vincent, The Walkmen, Explosions In The Sky). It also features collaborations from Michael Bell (Lymbyc Systym) and Marc Bianchi (Her Space Holiday).


As a whole, the album is a fantastic collective of well structured indie tunes that, although fairly consistent in pace throughout, pays homage to a number of alternative rock bands. It recalls the structure of American Analog Set and Blonde Redhead mixed with the playful studio experiments of Broken Social Scene and Sonic Youth.

Singer Evan Fox uses his laid back vocal to perfectly compliment the expansive, reverb-fuelled guitars that are present on so many of the album's tracks. 'San Francisco' breaks the record up nicely by acting as a moment of calm with a cleaner, more conventional sound to it, showing that the band aren't just a one trick pony.

After a few listens the album seems at home in my head and is definitely one to completely immerse yourself in. We've been given permission to let you download the album's opener - pick up 'Steady Hands' below for free.


FREE DOWNLOAD: KNESSET - Steady Hands

Head over to KNESSET's BandCamp page to download a copy of 'Coming Of Age'.

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