If you’ve never heard of 31 Knots, or just haven’t heard their music, do yourself a favor and find out what you’ve been missing. This band is one-of-a-kind, and their sonic collages are as good as it gets. No joke.



Usually, I pick records to review out of a free pile of promotional material that comes in the mail — an ever growing pile that sits in a corner of my office laughing at me with its enormity. This week, however, I changed it up. When I got back into work mode, saw 31 Knots would be playing Hell's Kitchen in two weeks, and then realized the band had a new record out, well, it was all over. I headed over to iTunes and shelled out ten bucks for Worried Well without hesitation. Familiar with the hectic, bombastic, mixed mashed, vaudevillian magic of 31 Knots from my year of unhippness in the hipster capital of the world (Portland) I knew what to expect: an interesting and well constructed chunk of intellectual art rock at its finest. Worried Well did nothing but prove my expectations of 31 Knots correct.



Ten bucks well spent.



31 Knots is a band that defies labels. In fact, not only does the band defy them, they’ve got the morphing ability to make those who attempt to label their odd timed and ingeniously woven soundscapes look ridiculous. 31 Knots is prog. 31 Knots is math rock. And yes, 31 Knots is even pop.



The band is all of those things and none of them. It’s a package you really must hear to understand.



Picking up where 2007’s The Days and Nights of Everything Anywhere (Polyvinyl) left off, Worried Well (also on Polyvinyl) capitalizes on the seemingly endless textures 31 Knots can produce. Frontman Joe Haege’s lyrical bravado has never been stronger than on two of the record’s more engrossing tracks: “Certificate” — which sets the frantic and multidimensional tone for Worried Well, and “Compass Commands” – a signature piano driven, herky jerk, sing-songy gem that may be the record’s highpoint.



Perhaps more impressive, the band’s scope has never been wider than on songs like the jazzy “Strange Kicks,” and the pulsating “Statistics and the Heart of Man” — both of which take listeners places 31 Knots hasn’t made a habit out of going. They’re journeys well worth the price of admission, however, and treks the band could easily make part of their ever expanding repertoire. It often seems like there’s nothing this band can’t do. A perfect example would be the church bell christened, lounge ready “Opaque,” which sits in the middle of Worried Well like the eye of the storm.



Indeed, Worried Well is one hell of a record. It’s impressive like few things I’ve heard this year.



If the latest effort from 31 knots has any faults, it’s (just maybe) over indulgence. While being unclassifiable is what makes the band special, some things are better left out. The record’s second to last track, “Upping the Mandate,” and its unsettling ‘80s Casio vibe is a perfect example.



But since most bands don’t have the cajones to try such a thing, it’s hard to blame 31 Knots when they take a rare musical wrong turn. Even the band’s mistakes are more interesting and artistic than the mainstream drivel that permeates our lives. 



31 Knots has done it again with Worried Well.  You can check out this record now via the magic of the Internet, or wait until the band hits town for their show at Hell’s Kitchen. Either way it doesn’t much matter. All that’s important is you come to know this band. 31 Knots is worth the effort.