Album Review: The Knux- Remind Me In Three Days

The Knux, a transplanted New Orleans duo, combine hip-hop, rock, and techno elements to create a unique high-energy sound on their debut album, Remind Me In Three Days. Influenced by everything from "B.G. to the Rolling Stones," Rah Almillio and Krispy Kream are part of a new wave of unconventional hip-hop artists.

The group does not hestitate to show off their diversity, laying their tracks over a combination of guitars, horns, and big band-inspired production. In fact, the beats are so impressive that they often outshine the The Knux' lyrical talent, resulting in an overall effort that's disappointing because of what it could have been.

Remind Me In Three Days is what one could call a "soundtrack" album. In small snippets, the Knux can create an aural experience that is nothing short of amazing. Listen to the entire album, though, and the slick production and Outkast-style rapping can become repetitive and mediocre. This is because, while most of the individual tracks excel at creating an adrenaline-fueled, boom-bap feel, it's missing a sense of progress as the listener gets deeper into the cd.

The Knux start out with the guitar-assisted The List, a solid introduction to the duo's unique lyrical style. The next two tracks succeed in showing off their range, switching from chill, relaxed raps to an urgent, bass-driven flow.

Yet, just as the album starts to find its place, the momentum halts abruptly. Cappucino, the Knux' first single, is a pop-ish club song that strays from any lyrical focus, content to blast a childish hook over multi-faceted production. By the end, the track simply overwhelms the ears.

This is the pitfall the Knux have to avoid in order for their sound to work. With so much to bring to the table, it's easy to simply throw everything into the track. But thirty-five instruments is not nearly as effective as one perfect beat (See D.R.E., Still).

Remind Me In Three Days is, overall, a solid first release. Individually, the majority of the songs sound great. Fire, Bang!Bang!, and Life In a Cage, are easily the highlights. They all show the artists' dope lyrical capabilities while backing it up with creative, and most importantly, appropriate, production. But the album runs out of steam and shows little variation from the Knux' tried-and-true formula.

Rah Almillio and Krispy Kream are not quite there yet, but when they turn out a complete performance, it's going to be quite a spectacle.

Lyrics: 6/10

Production: 9/10

Creativity: 8/10

Musicality: 7/10

Replay Value: 6/10

Overall Album Score: 7/10

Listen to this: Fire, Bang!Bang!, Life In a Cage, Lights Camera Action