Tiny Knives, Black Haze (Eolian)

This is certainly not a good record by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a record,

[PUNK METAL] What to make of Tiny Knives? Oh yes, I realize that my job as a reviewer is to tell you precisely that, but years upon years of writing about music—music that often at least aesthetically resembles our Tiny Knives here—has not left me equipped with the ability to tell you precisely what I think of this band. I'll say this: Tiny Knives are a challenging group. It is hard for me to understand a lot of things that are going on here. Melody without hooks. A smattering of spoken word. Bass high in the mix, almost used as a lead instrument. (I understand they're a trio, but that hardly seems like an excuse when Thin Lizzy recorded Bad Reputation with the same number of people.) By the third time I finished listening to this record, I really felt like I had accomplished something with my day. I felt triumphant, like I could be hit by a bus and keep on going. This is certainly not a good record by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a record, and if that is the metric by which you choose to purchase a product, then by all means buy Black Haze by Tiny Knives. BRACE BELDEN.

SEE IT: Tiny Knives play the High Water Mark, 6800 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., with Rabbits, Hooded Hags and Tig Bitty, on Saturday, Jan. 16. 9 pm. $5 advance, $10 day of show. 21+.

Willamette Week

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.