XIU XIU "Knife Play" (click album cover for review)

Review by: Matt Browne

An Even more stoned out version of .Trail of Dead's 'Source Tags and Codes', Knife Play finds itself dreamy and cinematic at most parts, funky in its highlights. Xiu Xiu grooves through Knife Play, an album which shows us that a conor oberst style refrigerator wail can be put over spacy feedback solos and distant jungle drums. Long keyboard notes and drum loops keep Xiu Xiu moving through most of the record, but they're talented enough to keep their listener interested. At the hands of lesser musicians Knife Play could be construed as a lumbering, boring, even self-important work, but the final product that Xiu Xiu provides in Knife Play is a well thought-out, complete and entertaining work.