I got into The Knife after hearing Like A Pen when a friend took the "Silent Shout" album round for background music during a game of poker. After the first listen of this album, the poker became part of the background as we listened to this. I have never been into the electronic genre, but I am now starting to make in roads to it, as this album has really opened my eyes as to what is out there. It surprises me to know that they are not that well known within the mainstream. Although I have recently begun to hear more things about them. These guys deserve some recognition.


Silent Shout
This album takes you in on the first listen, and the title track starts with a thumping bass, which you'd maybe expect to find in a dance track, but 10 seconds in, it opens up with the keyboard. It's a song you could dance to, as well as just chill out to. 9/10

Neverland
This is also another good mixture of keyboards, drums and bass. Not my favourite song on the album, but I love the breakdown at 1:54 which lasts until 2:58. 7/10

The Captain
This song does not really kick in until about 2:44 as those first two and a half minutes are filled with weird, distorted keyboards. It's a bit slow and not too catchy, so not a great track in my opinion. 5/10

We Share Our Mother's Health
A stand out track on the album. It's upbeat, has the electronic drum and bass, synthesiser and some strange lyrics. A brilliant song to dance to. If you want to get into The Knife, you need to listen to this song. 9/10

Na Na Na
This is a really spaced out track, with it's echoey, distorted lyrics and the backing track reminds me in someone playing steel drums on a beach somewhere far away, which can only be a god thing! 8/10

Marble House
Begins with the sound effect of what could easily be described as marbles hitting one another, and the keyboard then kicks in a crescendo style. Has a good solid bass beat in the background, and the keyboards and lyrics compliment each other well. 7/10

Like A Pen
As this is the song that got me into The Knife, this is obviously a favourite of mine. It's like they've made a song with the sound effect of a dripping tap and it's brilliant! You could easily dance to this or chill out to it. The drums and keyboard also work well together in this track. 10/10

From Off to On
A very subdued and quiet track, perfect for sitting down and letting your mind wander as you relax. 8/10

Forest Families
This track starts off with another dance-esqe beginning with the rhythm of the synthesiser. Although from the previous tracks, you know it isn't going to be a commercial put your hands up and rave like a loony song. The style of the lyrics contradict the backing synthesier as they are quite subdued and echoey meaning this is also another chill out track. 8/10

One Hit
Another favourite of mine. The drums and the style of the vocals are brilliant, and you can feel yourself itching just to sing the chorus, because it's just so random. 9/10

Still Light
Slow track, another which sounds slightly spaced out and the vocals help to convey this style. You expect the final song on a CD to be a bit more upbeat, so that was slightly disappointing, but nevertheless a good track. 7/10

The next CD is a compilation of live recordings from The Knife and these let you at least feel some part of what it is like at a gig. It features a few of the songs already mentioned, plus a few others from their other albums. 8/10


To conclude, if you've never really expereinced the electronic scene much like myself, but would like to explore and expand your music taste, this album is a must for you. I'm a relative newbie at the whole genre, but this album has really made me realise the sort of things I've been missing. On the other hand, if you're into the electronic genre, and you've never heard of The Knife, I suggest you get this album too just to broaden your horizons, as I believe it is slightly unique to other artists.

Overall rating 8/10.