\"I didn't quite know what to think of Knonam when I first saw the album cover for \"Length Of The Blade\". At first glance, it's a bit laughable seeing Knonam leaning on the side of his 1986 Ferrari Testarossa, with retro-styled typography and cityscapes amidst colors that screamed the 80s throughout the front, back and inside covers. Further listening would prove the album cover is actually a dead-on accurate depiction of how much fun this 80s-drenched gem really is. The 30-year old has been circulating in the Minneapolis underground scene for quite some time. With help from Eyedea and long-time friend Brother Ali, he released his first album \"I Swear to Drunk I'm Not God\". All the production on \"Length Of The Blade\" is created from a wealth of 80s culture. He's listed as the sole writer and producer on the album, which was recorded at E&A Studios. Being an underground artist, I wasn't expecting the beats to be this golden. In my opinion, he's got the production on lock as much as he does his flow. The album plays as an excellent concept that covers much of his childhood and the culture of the 80s through his own eyes in an autobiographical style.
I found the album to be rather superb throughout it's 79 minutes of playtime. I would have expected the album to start dragging around the midway point, but the production, along with Knonam's lyrics and flows kept me intrigued throughout. \"St. Elmo's Fire\" starts off the album with some vintage 80s TV radio recordings that leads into an excellent song that introduces him quite well. The title track \"Length Of The Blade\" is a long (6:37 min) heartfelt jam which samples U2 \"With Or Without You\". \"1988\" just may be my favorite cut here. It's listed as having Eyedea featured on it, but he must be on the chorus, because he's not rapping. Either way, this beat is truly delicious. The percussion, bass-line, and 80s synth just bang. Knonam's lyrics are especially dope here. \"Ransom\" samples Cameo \"Word Up\", and it's definitely a dope cut, featuring some of Knonam's battling skills. \"Sunglasses\" samples Corey Hart's \"Sunglasses at Night\" and works nicely.
\"Who's Bad\" is also a favorite, which samples Michael Jackson \"Bad\" - so you know that beat's banging. Check out this lyric:
\"I'm not signed to a label yet
To sign me it's liking trying to rename your pets
Like trying to repay the debts after I'm sued for the samples that I used for this 80s sh**\"
An album like this is what makes you miss the days old when sampling was a free-range artform...in the 80s of course. Having an empty set of restrictions are what makes excellent albums like this possible. By the way, you may want buy it while it's hot! lol
Another standout is \"Minnesota\", which samples Madonna \"Like a Prayer\". \"Take Shots\" is also one of my favorite cuts here. The beats are just banging, and Knonam shows yet another side of his personality as he impressively flows in and out his own production with ease. \"My Name\" is cool, which samples Prince \"When Doves Cry\". However, this may be the only cut I would ever skip, because while I dig the production, he's not doing much more than talking/singing a little bit. However, he is showing different sides of his personality constantly. \"I'm Back\" features Royce da 5'9, and it's one of the more aggressive joints on the disc. The production also changes up nicely. \"Dead Wrong\" is another one of my favorite beats on the album. Knonam kills it with some ill lyricism. \"I Walk\" is soaked in dark stynth. \"Over North\" samples the arena rock stylings of Yes \"Owner of the Lonely Heart\". An excellent change of pace. \"Miss Me\" bangs nicely with a heart-thumping beat. Wrapping it up towards the end, the beats are still hitting hard. \"I Am\" is excellent, and is jammed packed with heartfelt lyrics, as is \"Walk The Line\". \"One Bullet's Enough\" ends the album on a quality note, as it cleverly samples Tears For Fears \"Shout\".
It's more than clear that Knonam has an unmatched passion for hip-hop, new wave & pop/rock...basically all music in general. With the impressive production and mic skills behind Knonam, I would expect him to be making waves in the near future. Really, you don't run into that many artists that are as good at both as Knonam is. He's the entire package. A one man wrecking crew. You've been warned. Don't sleep.\"
