Description
Grace Shaker is an album by the American alternative rock band Lifesavers Underground (a.k.a. L.S.U.), released on Alarma Records in 1994. The album was produced by band member Michael Knott.
Michael Knott of course seemingly lives permanently in a recording studio turning out endless albums. With his buddies Life Savers Underground (Brian Doidge, bass; Andrew Carter, guitars; Jeremy Wood, drums) he offers his usual eclectic variety of sounds, ranging from a Lou Reed-drone-style nightmare «Double» to a marvellously brash piece of noise pop «Bad Disease». Surreal imagery, some outstanding guitar work from Carter and Steve Hindalong drops by to play cat food tin and plastic waste receptacle on «Double». Knott/LSU fans will love it. [Tony Cummings, Cross Rhythms, December 1995]
Of all the Mike Knott/L.S.U. discography, only a few stand above the others. This Is The Healing, Shaded Pain, The Grape Prophet, Grace Shaker, and Rocket and a Bomb are arguably his most prolific and powerfully twisted works. Every disc beyond those has its place in the sometimes manic and peppered archive that the dedicated fan will search for high and low. I may need to find another copy of this for significant wear and tear over time. Blame ¨that car stereo.
‘Grace Shaker’ is one of those heart-on-veritable-broken-sleeve projects that came a couple of years after the demise of Blonde Vinyl Records. All of the different incarnations over the years (Lifesavers, L.S. Underground, L.S.U., Michael Knott, Mike Knott, Michael Gerard Knott, and most recently Three Rovers and Struck Last May) are just outlets for brilliance, bordering at times on insanity, of this artist. ‘Grace Shaker’ was released during the peak of production for these personalities.
Knott has always had a thing for stringed instruments. Evident in the slower numbers «Blame», «Grace» and «Christ Saves», it is usually a sparse violin or cello. The album moves from a subtle and somber penitent spirit to chaotic, frenzied rockers («Bad Disease», the instrumental «Shaker», «Kill Will», and «Freedom»). Seeing Mike Knott in concert a number of times, he has regularly performed a few songs from this project. Because of the faith issues tackled here, ‘Grace Shaker’ will stand the test of time as one of his best efforts. [thecannyshark, The Phantom Tollbooth, 2009]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/grace-shaker/387987322)
CD tracklist:
01. Double – 3:01
02. Kill Will – 4:21
03. Blame – 4:28
04. Thinkin’ – 4:52
05. Bad Disease – 3:18
06. Grace – 5:24
07. Shaker (Instrumental) – 3:13
08. Gift Taker – 3:57
09. Freedom – 2:25
10. Christ Saves – 3:16
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Alarma Records.
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