The Knife Feels Like Justice is the debut album by American musician Brian Setzer, released in 1986 on the EMI America record label.
| The Knife Feels Like Justice | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1986 | |||
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| Genre | Rock | |||
| Label | EMI America | |||
| Producer | Don Gehman | |||
| Brian Setzer chronology | ||||
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In contrast to the rockabilly sound of his earlier band Stray Cats, this album emphasizes a roots rock sound, in the style of one of his major influences, John Cougar Mellencamp.[1] Setzer utilized Mellencamp's producer, Don Gehman, and his drummer, Kenny Aronoff, for the studio recordings.[1]
The album peaked at number 45 on the US Billboard album chart in April 1986.[2] A music video for the title track was shot on Pueblo land near Taos, New Mexico.[1] The video features all the musicians from the studio recording except drummer Aronoff, whose onscreen substitute was the E Street Band's Max Weinberg.[1]
It was re-released on CD in 1990 and again in 1999. In 2007 it was released again as part of a "2 albums on 1 CD" format, paired with his 1988 follow-up album Live Nude Guitars. An import CD version is also available.
Track listing
editAll tracks composed by Brian Setzer except where indicated:[3]
- "The Knife Feels Like Justice"
- "Haunted River"
- "Boulevard of Broken Dreams"
- "Bobby's Back"
- "Radiation Ranch"
- "Chains Around Your Heart"
- "Maria" (Setzer, Steven Van Zandt)
- "Three Guys"
- "Aztec" (Setzer, Mike Campbell)
- "Breath of Life" (Setzer, Tommy Byrnes)
- "Barbwire Fence"
Personnel
edit- Brian Setzer - guitar, lead vocals
- Tommy Byrnes - guitar, backing vocals
- Chuck Leavell - keyboards
- Kenny Aaronson - bass
- Kenny Aronoff - drums, percussion
- Steve Jordan - drums (track 4)
- Benmont Tench - organ (track 4)
- Mike Campbell - 12-string guitar (track 9)
- Peggi Blu - vocals (tracks 3, 8, 10)
- Queen Esther Marrow - vocals (tracks 3, 8, 10)
- Diva Grey - vocals (tracks 3, 8, and 10)
- Dave Williams - vocals (tracks 2, 4, 6)
- Andrew Williams - vocals (tracks 2, 4, 6)
- Yvonne Zuaro - vocals (tracks 1, 7, 9, 11)
- Technical
- John Aiosa - pre-production producer
- Howard Rosenberg - cover photography
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [3] |
In a retrospective review, critic Mark Deming pondered how the album is "a rare example of Setzer taking a stab at contemporary rock & roll with a message, and it is more successful than anyone might have expected," emphasizing that "there's a heart and sincerity to this material that's genuine and affecting."[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Tamarkin, Jeff (June 1986). "Brian Setzer: Stray Cats No More". Creem. Retrieved June 2, 2019 – via Rock's Backpages.
- ^ "Billboard 200: Brian Setzer". Billboard. 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
- ^ a b c Deming, Mark. The Knife Feels Like Justice at AllMusic. Retrieved June 2, 2019.