Knott, Michael - "Strip Cycle"

Knott, Michael - Strip Cycle
1996, Tooth & Nail

1. Sugar Mama
2. Tattoo
3. Rockstars on H
4. Transistor Sister
5. Light My Fuse
6. Burnin' On Fire
7. Bad Check
8. Milk & Peas
9. Supergirl
10. Everything
11. Am I Winnin' Somthing?
12. Too Long
13. Denial

Okay, so I guess I am a Mike Knott person after all because I seem to like the stuff I find. Strip Cycle is no different. It's an all acoustic rock album with catchy tunes and the poignant lyrics Knott is known for. Much cello is present as well, which is never bad. I can't believe this actually came out on Tooth & Nail. Were they like... sick or something? I mean, Mike Knott is an established artist with a history and everything. A bit different from the dorky kids and their punk and hardcore that pretty much made up the T&N line up back in the day (Starflyer 59 notwithstanding).

Useless Fact: I don't know if the "H" in "Rockstars on H" is censored on purpose or what. Probably, knowing how weird we Christians can be about nonsense like that. It stands for "heroine" by the way. I believe the song also appeared on an Aunt Bettys album.

Knott, Michael - "Rocket and a Bomb"

Knott, Michael - Rocket and a Bomb

1994, Brainstorm

1. Jan the Weatherman

2. Jail

3. Make Me Feel Good

4. Serious

5. John Barrymore, Jr.

6. Train

7. Bubbles

8. Kitty

9. Adrian

10. Skinny Skins

11. Rocket and a Bomb

My family and I used to take annual trips to Ocean City, NJ every summer for most of my teenage years. One year we found this little Christian bookstore somewhere in town. I remember they didn't really have that much. Well... they didn't have much that I didn't already have, that is. Thus, Rocket and a Bomb was purchased because it was one of the few tapes I didn't have. I listened to it for most of that trip. I was having a hard time sleeping that year and I remember some late nights listening to this album while the rest of my family slept. I didn't really like it at the time. I think it was just too mellow for me - a little too mature. However, as often happens with me, hearing this now makes me fall in love with it. It's sort of a concept album about the people Michael Knott lived with in an apartment building. There's "Jan the Weatherman" who often comes over and "wants to join the band." There's "John Barrymore, Jr." who's got sixteen cats and a dog and apparently used to give acting lessons to Steve McQueen. Particularly poignant is the story of "Bubbles." He was a drug addict that was kidnapped and beaten on the day Michael was supposed to pick him up and take him to rehab. The whole album is full of emotion and I really connected with it on this second round. I guess I'm going to have to take back the whole "I'm not really much of a Mike Knott person" thing. 

Apparently, Down the Line magazine wants to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Rocket and a Bomb. They've got a Kickstarter campaign up and running. I'm seriously thinking about backing it.

Useless Fact: "Skinny Skins" is reportedly about The Choir's Steve Hindalong.

Knott, Michael - "Alternative Worship: Prayer, Petitions, and Praise"

Knott, Michael - Alternative Worship: Prayer, Petitions, and Praise

1994, Alarma

1. On My Feet Again

2. Windows

3. River of Love

4. Simple Man

5. Everything For Stormie

6. Shine

7. Call on You

8. Never Forsaken

9. Lamb of God

10. Holy, Holy, Holy

11. Within

Rule of Acquisition #239 states, "Never be afraid to mislabel a product." So it is with Alternative Worship. An album that was originally billed as a worship album by Terry Taylor, Gene Eugene, and Michael Knott. However, what it really is is a Michael Knott solo album with Terry and Gene singing a song or two. I think that's why I originally didn't like this CD. I was expecting sort of a "Lost Dogs" type fusion and it wasn't that. It also dies down a bit toward the end with quiet, acoustic songs. That being said, this is going to end up being one of my top picks of the year. Strictly speaking it's not worship, per se - if we used the narrowest definition (the one I prefer is "being consumed with who God is"). It's more like... songs from a prayer closet. Honest and open, holding nothing back. Usually the phrase "Giving it all to God" is so cliche and trite but it certainly applies here especially in a song like "Call on You" where Michael sings, "But for now I call on you/For help with cash for bills overdue/ And strength to influence right/ The little one I hold so tight." Pretty much anything about little girls or parenting makes me cry these days. Can't help it, I'm a big softee. It's good to hear Gene again on the poignant "Windows" which is one of the most beautiful songs he's performed on. Then there's "Holy, Holy, Holy" - a very simple song but it captures something that the modern worship blitz with it's multi-million dollar production setups misses.... actual worship. I've never been a huge L.S.U./Michael Knott fan but this disc went from being a curiosity (because I didn't like it when I was a teenager) to an essential.

Useless Fact: I believe "Everything for Stormie" is about Michael's daughter. I know, I know, anyone with half a brain would pick up on that but I didn't have any tidbits for this one. I'm as disappointed as you are.