Michael Knight are a Dublin band with a sense of humour and should not be confused with a character from cheesy ‘80s TV show Knightrider. Their influences are a familiar grab-bag of art-pop and indie, and this debut album owes a debt to, among others, Stereolab and Quasi.
The opener ‘Foals’ is an immediate highlight. Flawlessly melodic and uplifting, the track’s layered backing vocals, catchy bassline and jangling guitars nod towards Gastr del Sol and Pavement. Elsewhere, MK utilise piano, synths and multi–tracked harmonies, while on the title track, Patrick Freyne of the Dublin outfit Bad Intentions contributes a husky, rumbling delivery
Less successful are the album’s calmer interludes: ‘Crown Of Thorns’ and ‘No Second Best’ come off like a sorry Brian Wilson pastiche. Nonetheless, this is an album ripe with promise. Michael Knight may yet be prime-time material.