Tiny Knives are releasing Black Haze, their first vinyl release, via Eolian Empire on 2/2/2016. Don’t be confused though, Tiny Knives are not newcomers in this vibrant scene. They have been around for the better part of six years. In 2012 they released a wicked cassette called Static. Take a listen over HERE. Since then Tiny Knives have really, dare I say, sharpened their sound. The group is comprised of Jai Milx, Jamey Anderson and Ursula Morton. In the last review that I did for Bearded Gentlemen Music I commented on how Savages’ album made me want to dance around my house while drinking wine. Black Haze also inspires my body to groove to the music while carrying around an alcoholic beverage. However, I don’t get a craving for a nice malbec. When I am cranking these radical dirty jams I feel the need to take a shot of whiskey and crack open a tall boy. It even makes me feel that I should have a cigarette dangling from my mouth while bouncing off the walls (I DON’T EVEN SMOKE).
**This track was debuted on 1/15/2016 over at New Noise**
One of my favorite things about Black Haze is the way that the vocals change throughout. On the opening track “Dark History” you are hit by an onslaught of gravely snarls. The very next song “Past Tense” gives you dose of straight up punk rock mixed with a couple of hardcore breakdowns. “Cowschwitz” expertly intertwines spoken word and a healthy pounding of some brutal growls. Tiny Knives even show off their ability to make something pretty in “Lights In the Sky”. Albums that I keep coming back to have that ability to keep the listener on their toes. Black Haze does that in spades.
The way that Tiny Knives is able to turn on a dime is a credit to their ability as musicians. I love the way that you can be grooving to a bad ass punk rock song and then they take you way into outer space in an instant. I see bumper stickers all over the place that read “Keep Portland Weird”. The sad thing about a lot of those people is they probably have never set foot in Club 21, The Know, or the multiple other DIY PDX music venues. They are too busy yelping about the cool new food trucks (which I also love) or thrifting (which I hate). I am super thankful for Tiny Knives because they are the real people attempting to “Keep Portland Weird”. One of these days I hope to get a chance to witness them do their damage in person. Until then Black Haze will be on heavy rotation in my household.
Rating: 4.5/5
Black Haze’s release date is 2/2/2016. You can buy a copy from Eolian Empire over here –> Tiny Knives – Black Haze