Son, Ambulance escapes Bright Eyes’ shadow
Son, Ambulance is a band. Sort of. Like label-mate Bright Eyes, Son, Ambulance is a one man show. That man, Joe Knapp, is an introspective twenty-something with a penchant for bedroom pop, a healthy complex, and some great songs.
Often overshadowed by the other luminaries on Saddle Creek, Knapp’s lo-fi arrangements and winding melodies only contribute to a persona that most reviewers describe simply as “sexually frustrated.” I think it’s deeper than that, though. While Knapp definitely isn’t cover material for the Rolling Stone, his songs don’t stop in the hormonally charged halls of adolescence.
There is a longing in his music, sure. But there is also the feeling that adolescence and innocence are things that have to be fought for, guarded, and cherished. Any naivet̩ Son, Ambulance possesses is hard earned. Knapp manages to tie angst to experience Рa rare ability for seasoned songwriters, let alone someone who is fresh from his second full album release.
Musically, Son, Ambulance meanders through songs and melodies with all the fire of a Quaalude binge, and this lethargic approach can be off-putting to new listeners. This is where producer Mike Mogis’ layered approach saves Knapp, ensuring that there is always a dense backdrop of keyboards, guitars, and hum to fall back on. And, on repeated listens, it becomes clear that Son, Ambulance’s hooks are there, buried in the mix.
Joe Knapp and Son, Ambulance have come a long way in their three releases. Their first release, a split with Bright Eyes called “Oh Holy Fools,” found them more often than not standing in the shadow of Conor Oberst. But with the release of the his two full lengths, “Euphemystic” and “Key,” Knapp has found his voice with epics such as “An Instant Death” and “Sex in C Minor.” No, Son, Ambulance is not Bright Eyes, but if they keep writing such engaging music, they don’t have to be.
Zach Pendleton’s column The Best You’ve Never Heard runs each week in Diversions. Comments can be sent to him at zachp@cc.usu.edu.