Chad Knight is a vocalist and guitarist living in Kirkland who moved there last fall from his hometown of Laurel, Miss., a small city in the southern part of that state. The songs on this CD were recorded at two studios in Mississippi. Knight labels himself as a singer/songwriter. His material reveals influences of reggae, rock, rap and R&B, indicating a wider range than one might expect from an artist in the singer/songwriter genre.
"Mutteo Intro" is a spoken word piece, a voicemail left for Knight from a friend back home.
"Lazy, Mississippi" has a reggae vibe with an interesting bass line played by Drew Parker. Knight wrote the music and lyrics. The latter reveals his outlook on life. "I am only one man living life/ I hate racism just get it right/ I like what I like and if you don't like it/ you don't have to like it."
"Hippie Girl Part 2" begins with acoustic guitar. It is a slow rock tune, somewhat similar to some of the mellower material of Alice In Chains. Knight sings about being high on music and how that contrasts with the woman he addresses.
"Now I'm a lover more than a user/ and that's just who I'm going to be/ I don't need your acid and ecstasy/ your heroin and LSD/ you don't have to be something you are not/ and your time is now."
Two guest vocalists appear. Katie Mason is the title character. "Lover boy, now wait just a minute/ why you saying these songs about me?/ don't you know life ain't easy/ you need to open your mind to be free."
Next Mutteo delivers a rap. "You headed to the club with your head all messed up/ your fancy car, hair and nails all dressed up."
"Burning July" finds Knight thinking of a musician friend who died. "Just reminiscing about time I'm spending with you will remember/ but the day I heard you passed left me so cold like a day in December."
The tune is soft and melodic in the beginning. The intensity ebbs and flows throughout the song. This is a quality rock power ballad, avoiding the cheesiness that sometimes hinders such songs.
Robert Morgan wrote "Mary Jane," showing Knight is willing to record material created by others. It recalls pop of the late 1960 or early 1970s, but with a modern sensibility.
"Queen of Euclid Avenue" makes a reference to a street in Laurel. It is a mid-tempo rocker.
"Beautiful" pairs Knight with rappers Cash and Green. It begins with sampled piano and violin and the rappers begin with lyrics about women they want to hook up with. Then Knight lays down some romantic prose. "Beautiful thing you are, standing away so far/ I can see it in her eyes/ she wants to be by my side."
Chad Knight plays Skylark Café in Seattle at 9 p.m. on Feb. 17
