Written on March 13, 2012
Undoubtedly
best known for their huge hit “My Sharona”, The Knack was a Power Pop
band from Los Angeles who recorded one of the most underappreciated
albums in Rock music, as well as one of my favorites. Despite going
platinum in two months and staying at the #1 position on the Billboard
charts for five weeks, Get The Knack was panned by critics who
deemed the songs “sexist” and “misogynistic”. Subsequent releases that
did not live up to the success of their debut relegated The Knack to
“one-hit wonder” status. However, they connected with a new generation
of listeners during the early 90s Grunge explosion, when Nirvana
frontman Kurt Cobain said his music sounded like “Black Sabbath playing
The Knack” and named Get the Knack as one of his favorite albums of all-time.
The
main reason why this record is so special to me is that its songs
manage to compile almost every feeling I’ve experienced throughout my
life when dealing with the opposite sex. Listening to this album is like
taking a trip down memory lane that reunites me with every single
ex-girlfriend, crush, and fuck-buddy I’ve ever had. The female
characters Doug Fieger describes in songs like “Frustrated”, “Good Girls
Don’t”, and “She’s So Selfish” are all-too-real examples of specific
kinds of women that one is sure to encounter in his late teens and early
twenties. Who hasn’t met a girl who “makes you wanna scream, wishing
you could get inside her pants”? How about one that keeps “pulling the
string, but she’ll tie it in a knot before she gives you anything”?
Perhaps you’ve crossed paths with a girl who “doesn’t care for nobody
else”, but still “leaves you weak in the knees like a lovesick fool”?
If
raunchy lyrics aren’t your cup of tea, I suggest you pay close
attention to “Your Number or Your Name”, “Oh Tara”, and “Maybe Tonight”.
These songs show their narrator to be a vulnerable, caring, and even
shy individual as they brilliantly convey the agony of having a crush on
a girl and not being able to tell her out of fear of being rejected.
Everyone has felt unrequited love at some point in their life, but
finding the courage to express your feelings can a daunting task for a
young male. As someone who has lived through this more than once, I
can’t help but identify with every line in these songs.
Of course,
this wouldn’t mean anything if the music wasn’t top-notch, and aside
from a couple of filler tracks (“Lucinda” and “Siamese Twins” are
nothing to write home about), Get the Knack sounds like a
greatest hits compilation. In addition to Doug Fieger’s superb ear for
melody and captivating singing voice, his tight guitar playing perfectly
complimented Berton Averre’s creative leads and formed one of the most
interesting guitar combinations in Rock. Averre is a criminally
underrated musician; while possessing more than enough technical
ability, he avoided the overindulgence that was becoming commonplace in
late 70s Rock and only let loose when absolutely necessary.
Producer
Mike Chapman’s role in all this cannot be underestimated. Shocked that
his name was not on the short list of producers The Knack wanted to work
with, he contacted the band directly and convinced them that he was the
right man for the job. His idea was to capture the energy of their live
show, and the album was recorded in eleven days for a total of $17,000.
The Knack’s official website says Chapman “basically hit the record
button and let the band play”, as the record is almost completely devoid
of overdubs. This straight-forward approach gives the music a timeless
quality and an easygoing charm.
Perhaps the most noticeable aspect of the music on Get the Knack
is Bruce Gary’s impeccable drumming. Influenced by Keith Moon and Ringo
Starr, his metronome-like precision and creative fills inject the songs
with a dose of energy that they would never have if played by an
average drummer. Just listen to his manic playing on “Let Me Out” and
“Your Number or Your Name”; even when apparently going crazy behind the
kit, he always kept things sharp, precise, and melodic.
His most
famous (and instantly recognizable) drum break is found in the beginning
of the one song in this album that needs no introduction – the mighty
“My Sharona”. Not only is it The Knack’s signature song, it has stood
the test of time and become a cultural standard. People who have never
heard the name “The Knack” are very familiar with its irresistible
melody and automatically sing along whenever the hook comes on. The
song bears all of the band’s trademarks: sexual lyrics full of
innuendos, a catchy chorus, excellent singing, powerful drumming, and
one of the best guitar solos you will ever hear.
This record was
made by four guys who genuinely loved playing together, and their
enthusiasm comes through in the finished product. If you like Rock music
of any kind (Pop-Rock, Hard Rock, Alternative Rock, etc.), do yourself a
favor and buy this album. I can’t guarantee it will mean as much to you
as it does to me (or as it did to Kurt Cobain), but I assure you that
its energy and exuberance will bring you a profound sense of joy and
gratification.
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