Skinny Knowledge - twentytwo
In 2021, while still in a Covid state of alert, a band of alt-rockers from Bournemouth called Skinny Knowledge (at the time more of a vehicle for singer-songwriter multi-instrumentalist Andy L Smooth), released an ear-catching debut album entitled Don’t Turn Out The Lights.
As FabricationsHQ said at the time, Foo Fighters and Green Day fans would almost certainly approve, but there were also elements of a modern version of Squeeze/ Glenn Tilbrook, albeit within a considerably rockier framework.
Fast forward to 2023 and the band’s second album twentytwo, where Andy L Smooth (vocals, guitars, drums, songwriter) has been joined by Max Harris and Rab McGowan, who provide additional guitars, bass and backing vocals.
Additionally, some of the songs were co-writes between Smooth and Matt Bigland of Dinosaur Pile-Up.
The album itself is a musical journal of Andy L Smooth’s life through 2022; as such it carries an earthy honesty through rugged musicality and sometimes angry lyricism (as Smooth himself stated in pre-release press, "I’ve always written songs that come from real experiences, no fictional writing. Every word I sing is a true story, and real feelings that I’ve been through").
More importantly however, how does twentytwo shape up in comparison to the debut album?
In short, very well indeed – there is clear evidence of progression in songwriting, leading to songs that deserve a wider audience (and, hopefully a broader travel of live gigs).
The previously mentioned influences are still there but with a far heavier sounding edge, along with some glam-rock and a bit more joy all round (this is a band geared to put smiles on faces – just check out their videos for proof).
'I Wanna (Rock n' Roll)' is as dumb and gonzo as the title suggests but it absolutely rocks, carries a hooky chorus and the band are as tight as the proverbial.
Andy L Smooth’s production is great (as it is throughout, complemented by the mix from Smooth & Harrison Perks) and the technique of starting with a compressed telephone/radio effect before the riff kicks in like a ton of bricks, is especially effective.
As FabricationsHQ said at the time, Foo Fighters and Green Day fans would almost certainly approve, but there were also elements of a modern version of Squeeze/ Glenn Tilbrook, albeit within a considerably rockier framework.
Fast forward to 2023 and the band’s second album twentytwo, where Andy L Smooth (vocals, guitars, drums, songwriter) has been joined by Max Harris and Rab McGowan, who provide additional guitars, bass and backing vocals.
Additionally, some of the songs were co-writes between Smooth and Matt Bigland of Dinosaur Pile-Up.
The album itself is a musical journal of Andy L Smooth’s life through 2022; as such it carries an earthy honesty through rugged musicality and sometimes angry lyricism (as Smooth himself stated in pre-release press, "I’ve always written songs that come from real experiences, no fictional writing. Every word I sing is a true story, and real feelings that I’ve been through").
More importantly however, how does twentytwo shape up in comparison to the debut album?
In short, very well indeed – there is clear evidence of progression in songwriting, leading to songs that deserve a wider audience (and, hopefully a broader travel of live gigs).
The previously mentioned influences are still there but with a far heavier sounding edge, along with some glam-rock and a bit more joy all round (this is a band geared to put smiles on faces – just check out their videos for proof).
'I Wanna (Rock n' Roll)' is as dumb and gonzo as the title suggests but it absolutely rocks, carries a hooky chorus and the band are as tight as the proverbial.
Andy L Smooth’s production is great (as it is throughout, complemented by the mix from Smooth & Harrison Perks) and the technique of starting with a compressed telephone/radio effect before the riff kicks in like a ton of bricks, is especially effective.
'Disobey' reprises the opening production technique then gives way to another killer insistent riff and a big sing-a-long chorus with a half-time section after the second chorus (there’s a Foo Fighters feel to this one, but with more pop sensibilities).
The band then crunch into the high-tempo 'Strike Out!' with a seriously punky attitude and Grohl-esque vocals. It’s an attention grabbing opening salvo of songs.
'Going Up In Smoke' hints at a gentler vein but then delivers another gutsy riff at breakneck speed.
The chorus is less memorable than the opening three numbers, but the use of a half-time rhythm part throughout the song rescues it from over-familiarity.
'Devil Lives Within,' featuring more nifty riffing with roots in 12 bar rock 'n' roll, provides no let-up in terms of tempo; following number 'Goes Around Comes Around' benefits from some sense of dynamics and another great chorus (the use of the phone/radio intro production technique now starts to feel a little over-used however).
'A Song About Lunch' is a short and insistent punk number that acts as more of a throwaway interlude. Similarly, 'Too Scared to Live' ploughs the punk field and the Green Day-isms are noticeable.
The latter isn’t a bad song, but neither are album highlights.
The band redeems itself however with the sparse instrumentation of 'Home' and penultimate number 'I Hate that I Miss You.'
The former, an album highlight, sports an excellent vocal delivery from Andy L Smooth (and another memorable chorus) while the latter is the closest we get to a down tempo song with a balladeering intro. However, the band ups the ante half-way through with crushing chords and big chorus hooks to the end.
It’s also sung with some conviction (as are all the songs).
'I Hate That I Miss You' should really have been the final track because short instrumental closer 'Heavy Metal Inter2de,' while doing exactly what it says on the tin and amply demonstrating accomplished musicianship, would, as the title suggests, have been better served in the middle of the album (replacing 'A Song About Lunch').
Skinny Knowledge, with the right exposure, could go on to greater things.
They have the short ‘n’ sharp approach (11 songs, 31 minutes), the hooks, the abilities, and the cross-genre alt-rock/ pop-punk appeal.
Outside of a couple of misfires, they also have a seriously good second album under their belts.
Nelson McFarlane & Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Purchase album and merch at https://www.skinnyknowledge.com/store
Skinny Knowledge will be playing a hometown Album Release Show party at The Anvil in Bournemouth on Friday 17th of November, with special guests Stone Angels. Click here for tickets.
The band then crunch into the high-tempo 'Strike Out!' with a seriously punky attitude and Grohl-esque vocals. It’s an attention grabbing opening salvo of songs.
'Going Up In Smoke' hints at a gentler vein but then delivers another gutsy riff at breakneck speed.
The chorus is less memorable than the opening three numbers, but the use of a half-time rhythm part throughout the song rescues it from over-familiarity.
'Devil Lives Within,' featuring more nifty riffing with roots in 12 bar rock 'n' roll, provides no let-up in terms of tempo; following number 'Goes Around Comes Around' benefits from some sense of dynamics and another great chorus (the use of the phone/radio intro production technique now starts to feel a little over-used however).
'A Song About Lunch' is a short and insistent punk number that acts as more of a throwaway interlude. Similarly, 'Too Scared to Live' ploughs the punk field and the Green Day-isms are noticeable.
The latter isn’t a bad song, but neither are album highlights.
The band redeems itself however with the sparse instrumentation of 'Home' and penultimate number 'I Hate that I Miss You.'
The former, an album highlight, sports an excellent vocal delivery from Andy L Smooth (and another memorable chorus) while the latter is the closest we get to a down tempo song with a balladeering intro. However, the band ups the ante half-way through with crushing chords and big chorus hooks to the end.
It’s also sung with some conviction (as are all the songs).
'I Hate That I Miss You' should really have been the final track because short instrumental closer 'Heavy Metal Inter2de,' while doing exactly what it says on the tin and amply demonstrating accomplished musicianship, would, as the title suggests, have been better served in the middle of the album (replacing 'A Song About Lunch').
Skinny Knowledge, with the right exposure, could go on to greater things.
They have the short ‘n’ sharp approach (11 songs, 31 minutes), the hooks, the abilities, and the cross-genre alt-rock/ pop-punk appeal.
Outside of a couple of misfires, they also have a seriously good second album under their belts.
Nelson McFarlane & Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Purchase album and merch at https://www.skinnyknowledge.com/store
Skinny Knowledge will be playing a hometown Album Release Show party at The Anvil in Bournemouth on Friday 17th of November, with special guests Stone Angels. Click here for tickets.