The Had Knots
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The Had Knots

State College, Pennsylvania, United States | SELF

State College, Pennsylvania, United States | SELF
Band Rock Pop

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This band has not uploaded any videos

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"Sidewalk Chalk"

State College should be happy to have The Had Knots.

Not only has the band added its light pop rock to our music scene, but its new EP “Sidewalk Chalk” adds to the list of great local releases in the past few months.

The five-song EP shows off the band’s multi-instrumental skills and lyricism. The bookends of “Sidewalk Chalk” are the most entertaining, with opening track “Good Morning Sunshine” starting everything off right.

Soothing vocals, a sweet guitar riff and a peppered-on saxophone make for easy listening that you still want to pay attention to. The female vocals are also a nice touch to this song about missing a significant other.

Final track “If You Wish” finishes strong with an engaging tempo and great lyrics.

“Tell me who you are, where do you sleep ... how long has it been since you’ve known the child sleeping within,” the singer croons among Dave Matthews-like instrumentation and Good Old War-sounding background harmonies.

But where the meat of the album is supposed to be goes a little flat. Track two, called “What I’ll Give,” is fun to the point of being gimmicky. The piano chords are reminiscent of what one might hear wailing from an ice cream truck.

Next, “Stand Up” breaks the mold by getting a little too serious, leaving The Had Knots to sound like the indie version of Boyz II Men.

“Sgt. McCartney,” which one would think would be an ode to The Beatles star, draws no discernable correlation. The song does, however, have very strong vocals — a theme throughout the “Sidewalk Chalk’s” entirety.

Overall, we should all feel proud that State College continues to foster talented musicians like The Had Knots.

The band has an accessible sound that has the potential to be even more enjoyable live than on a recording.

But it is newly-formed bands like this that also have to keep developing their voices and really reaching to engage a listener with more than just a catchy beat and lyrics.

Before releasing a full-length album, the band has a little more growing up to do.

Grade: B - The Daily Collegian


Discography

Sidewalk Chalk (Debut EP)

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Bio

STOP, listen, and then look! If a picture is worth a thousand words then a song is probably worth between 3000-3250. We would like you to listen to at least one of our tunes before continuing on!

The Had Knots formed in State College, Pennsylvania, in the fall of 2010 after about a year of collaboration between various members of the band. After playing several student showcases and winning a Battle of the Bands in April 2011, the Had Knots released their debut EP "Sidewalk Chalk" on April 28, 2011. While continually developing new material the Had Knots are always looking to grow their fan base by playing as many live shows as possible. Influences include 1950's and 60's rock n' roll such as the Beatles, and more modern bands like Dr. Dog.