----------------------------------------------------- AUGUST 2002 ----------------------------------------------------- Source: Magnet Magazine Review of 31 Knots The film Buffalo 66 is the best thing that has ever happened to Yes. When a Saturday Night Special-packing Vincent Gallo struts into a shake joint to the blaring mid-section of "Heart Of The Sunrise," Yes was really cool all of a sudden. Not that the prog-rockers deserved any previous vilification as bloated, poly-note whores; much of early Yes is just as sonically bizarre as Beefheart, King Crimson, Can or any of the "accepted" weirdos from the era. 31Knots know their Yes, and they know how to make Fugazi and Slint sound exactly like Yes. This is Jon Anderson fronting Modest Mouse, and it works so well that 31Knots will be the flagship band when the term "prog pop" enters our lexicon. Not to pull the teeth from the matter or anything; the angularity and punch won't disappoint the snobbiest of volume sponges. The album's title source is Don DeLillo's Libra, and the lyics share a common literate sophistication with this tribute. Poignant, clever choruses pop up to sugarcoat the dexterous power-trio leanings. Math rock hasn't sounded this good in, well, ever . . . . Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, problems, corrections, or additions, contact YesinthePress@aol.com