Girl I Never Lied to You - The Knack, Byron, Monty
Normal as the Next Guy - The Knack, Averre, Berton
Spiritual Pursuit - The Knack, Fieger, Doug
It's Not Me - The Knack, Bossman, John
One Day at a Time - The Knack, Averre, Berton
Seven Days of Heaven - The Knack, Figer, Doug
Dance of Romance - The Knack, Averre, Berton
Reason to Live - The Knack, Bossman, John
A World of My Own - The Knack, Bossman, John
The Man on the Beach - The Knack, Averre, Berton
You just can't keep a good rock band down--or the Knack, for that matter. Depending on who's keeping score, this release marks either the third or fourth comeback attempt for the band whose debut album (and its inescapable... more » hit, "My Sharona") did for L.A. new wave and power pop what Velveeta did for cheese. While Kurt Cobain once compared his Nirvana favorably with the Knack (ironically, we hope), he couldn't have meant the tired, nostalgia-besotted outfit displayed on this 2001 release. At least give Doug Fieger and company credit for realizing they can no longer pull off the leering subject matter that was once their stock in trade; unfortunately, they've also trashed most of their once enviable pop-savvy in the bargain. What's left is third-rate R&B á la Joe Walsh ("Les Girls"), faux-edginess (the title track, but bonus points for rhyming "Chris Rock" with "Jacques Chirac"), country caricature ("Spiritual Pursuit"), even some Steely Dan jazz-pop pretensions ("Dance of Romance"). While Fieger's sweet voice still ably carries the midtempo numbers, it's all too telling that the album's most accomplished track is guitarist Berton Averre's slavish Beach Boys/Brian Wilson tribute, "The Man on the Beach." Riding the coattails of "My Sharona"'s enduring appeal (and repeated soundtrack appearances), the Knack seems unable to discern the difference between the truly timeless and the cheaply sentimental. --Jerry McCulley« less
You just can't keep a good rock band down--or the Knack, for that matter. Depending on who's keeping score, this release marks either the third or fourth comeback attempt for the band whose debut album (and its inescapable hit, "My Sharona") did for L.A. new wave and power pop what Velveeta did for cheese. While Kurt Cobain once compared his Nirvana favorably with the Knack (ironically, we hope), he couldn't have meant the tired, nostalgia-besotted outfit displayed on this 2001 release. At least give Doug Fieger and company credit for realizing they can no longer pull off the leering subject matter that was once their stock in trade; unfortunately, they've also trashed most of their once enviable pop-savvy in the bargain. What's left is third-rate R&B á la Joe Walsh ("Les Girls"), faux-edginess (the title track, but bonus points for rhyming "Chris Rock" with "Jacques Chirac"), country caricature ("Spiritual Pursuit"), even some Steely Dan jazz-pop pretensions ("Dance of Romance"). While Fieger's sweet voice still ably carries the midtempo numbers, it's all too telling that the album's most accomplished track is guitarist Berton Averre's slavish Beach Boys/Brian Wilson tribute, "The Man on the Beach." Riding the coattails of "My Sharona"'s enduring appeal (and repeated soundtrack appearances), the Knack seems unable to discern the difference between the truly timeless and the cheaply sentimental. --Jerry McCulley
"...and the Knack rocks. I'm not sure about that editorial review, either. This is a solid album. Knock 1991's "Serious fun" or many of the songs on 1981's "Round Trip" and I won't complain, but this album is full of well crafted pop songs. Songs like "Seven days of heaven", "it's not me", and "a world of my own" are standouts, but the whole album is solid. As for "Les Girls", Joe Walsh could take some singing lessons from Doug Fieger, and the Knack is a much more accomplished group of musicians than Nirvana's three-chord wonders. I prefer their previous album "Zoom" which is now out of print, but this is no slouch. Perhaps they'e not mauldlin enough or anti-social enough for modern music reviewers. They're just fun to listen to."
The Next Guys?
David Shaw | New York City | 11/11/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Maybe the most underrated band in rock history, The Knack is back with a great new CD. "Les Girls" and "A World of my Own" are hands down the cream of this crop but the whole album displays the band's penchant for writing catchy hooks backed by awesome musicianship. This is definitely a worthwhile purchase."
More than just a power pop band!!
L. Rothwell | Ashburn, VA USA | 10/22/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I've been a Knack fan since day one. Love all their stuff. I think this album contains some of their best moments, and is certainly worth purchasing, especially if you're interested in seeing what else these guys do well besides power pop. There's something here for everyone - pop, hard-driving rock, a bit of country (yes, you read that right!), laid-back jazzy pop, and a heartfelt love song. I think that "World of My Own," "Seven Days of Heaven," "Dance of Romance," and "Girl I Never Lied to You," are among the finest work the band has done. And I totally disagree with the previous review regarding "Man on the Beach" - it is a BEAUTIFUL song, kudos to Berton! This album proves without a doubt that the Knack are incredible musicians/songwriters with amazing versatility. Those who won't accept them outside the "My Sharona" power pop sound will no doubt be disappointed, but those willing to come along for the ride as the guys explore other types of music (and prove their talents over and over again) should not be disappointed."
Revisited after 4 years and it still stinks
Mitchell Cassman | BUFFALO GROVE, IL United States | 05/13/2005
(1 out of 5 stars)
"I wrote a review of this CD in 2001. Here is a copy of that review:
What Happened To This Band?, October 11, 2001
I was excited to get this record as The Knack have always been a true force in power pop and one of my favorite bands. This is why I feel so bad about this review. Something went terribly wrong with this recording. The songs are third rate, the production is way off, The drums or lack there of are totally amateurish. There's even a horrible Beach Boys tribute song included. Doug is no Brian Wilson!! Don't get this Knack..
(2005)
Being a true Knack fan I was so excited to hear it. I couldn't believe my ears. What a miserable boring album. Just the other day I decided to give it another listen thinking I would be open minded. Guess what? It still stinks."
A few good songs surrounded by CRAP!
J. McDonald | 12/30/2005
(2 out of 5 stars)
"1. Les Girls
Terrible. What a bad way to get this CD off to a start!
2. Disillusion Town
Quality Knack!
3. Girl I Never Lied To You
Decent Pop track.
4. Normal As The Next Guy
Total Junk!
5. Spiritual Pursuit
What a load of CRAP! What were they thinking? A joke? Who cares!
6. It's Not Me
Decent Pop.
7. One Day At A Time
This is a classic Knack tune but they already released this way back on "Serious Fun" and THAT version was better! I guess they were at a loss for material for this release?
8. Seven Days Of Romance
Actually the title is "Seven Days Of Heaven" and it's a great Knack pop song!
9. Dance Of Romance
Horrible, Horrible CRAP!
10. Reason To Live
Doug should have not gone for the high notes in this tune (his range is not what it once was) but this is a very moving and powerful song!
11. A World Of My Own
Decent Knack tune... but you can take it or leave it.
12. The Man On The Beach
Great "beach boys" style tune but could have been produced to offer a more "expanded" sound. The limited production leaves it far short of beach boys territory.
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This was a great chance for the Knack to make some waves (they had a deal with Image to release this CD and a DVD at the same time). They totally dropped the ball and delivered this MESS. There's some good Knack tunes on this disk but only a Knack fan will want to wade through the junk to find them.