Michael Knott, and whomever he was playing with at this time, has always delivered the kind of fresh, creative sounds that turned the head of Alternative Christian audiences and cutting edge critics.
L.S. Underground's Shaded Pain remains one of the darkest, most thoughtful and haunting releases of the genre. Now after a series of albums that felt tossed off without much fore-thought or self-examination [note from the Grape Prophet: This guy doesn't know what he's talking about.], Knott is back two(count 'em) albums of great music and angry revelation.
Knott stepped back from the two pseudo-bands that were L.S.U. and Lifesavers for the solo album "Screaming Brittle Siren," a personal emancipation proclamation. Here, Knott has regrouped the core of his L.S.U. bandmates: guitarist Brian Doidge, drummer Chuck Cummings and Choir bassist Mike Sauerbrey, for a full throttle rock attack.
Choir drummer Steve Hindalong guests as the voice of the mysterious prophet, and sax man Dan Michaels adds his soulful stylings to the album's closing instramental. Knott's vocals wail while the band grinds away, as the music tells the parablr of the Grape Prophet, a warning against teachings of individuals that are in direct oppisition to the freedom and wisdom of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Knott uses a thinly vieled allegory to scream his rage against those who manipulate and distort the teachings of Christ for their own benefit. Again, Knott has found a vehicle for his important observations on popular faith life. The ideas and music converge ina powerful blend that fans of L.S.U. are sure to appreciate, but the seriousness of the message and the fine musicality of "The Grape Prophet" deseves a wider audience.
-Brian Q Newcomb
bAck tO thE OrchArd