When I got an email earlier this week from the band Eight Knives asking me to preview their album Maiden Names, all I kept praying for was a great album; I didn’t want to write a scathing review for the first band that reached out to me personally. Twisted way of looking at it, yes, but #yoL0!
I waited all Monday to go home so I could sit and devote time to actually listening to the album. When I finally did, I was glad I waited. My first time needed to be memorable (correct mood, rose petals spread across the sheets, candles glimmering around the room and all that jazz) in order to make me appreciate it even more. Thankfully, the album is kickass, and preparing myself for my first time now seems ridiculous. It’s almost as though Kings of Leon and Jack White walked into a bar and created Eight Knives. Yes, I’m willing to say it’s THAT good. 8K has found the perfect combination between White’s distinctive, back-to-basics/ too-good-it’ll-never-be-on-the-radio rock and KOL’s also-good-but-radio-ready rock.
Seeing as this is their debut album, I really sense that they will succeed; this is the time when a band of such a rock/country/folk/alt genre can definitely find their place in a distinct niche of music listeners, especially amongst Lumineers fans. They’re catchy, their lyrics amount to something, and watching their live videos prove that they have real, raw talent.
“Levels and Lovers” is the obvious choice for a single as it’s easily infectious. Listen to it twice in a row and you’re suddenly yelling out about finding lovers tonight (oh oh oh!). Try explaining that disease in class; I’m sure it’ll go over really well. While “Levels and Lovers” may be the single, “Off To County Jail” is definitely my favorite, closely followed by “Windows Down.” These are the perfect songs to drive to, and for all of you pretending you don’t get it, you know. It’s the kind of song that you can tap the beat on your steering wheel, the kind of song that you can shriek the lyrics to with the windows up, but also the kind of song that you can blast with your windows down and not be embarrassed.
My only complaint: they’re only playing in Tennessee as of now. Also, finding information about them is virtually impossible because they’re so so new. All in all, you wouldn’t be misguided if you were to say that 8K has exceeded my expectations and found a devout fan on GotDott. Good luck to y’all.. and I’m looking forward to bragging about how when your band was just a seedling, you contacted lil ole me to check out your album!
Readers, be sure to check their website next month for their album.
