Released September 27, 2011 Length 45:44 | Recorded Late 2010–11 Label Cherrytree, Interscope | |
Genre Alternative hip hop, indie rock, pop rock Producer The Knux, Paul Rosenberg (exec.) | ||
Eraser is the second studio album by American alternative hip hop duo The Knux, released September 27, 2011, on Cherrytree and Interscope Records. The album was preceded by the release of two singles, the first being "She's So Up", followed by "Run" featuring Kid Cudi. Much like their debut effort Remind Me in 3 Days... (2008), the album's production was handled entirely by The Knux themselves, however unlike their debut, it features several guest appearances, including Natalia Kills, Jack Davey, Blake Miller and Kid Cudi.
Contents
Background
After spending most of 2009 touring to promote their debut album (Remind Me in 3 Days), 2010 had The Knux back in the studio working on their sophomore release. The album was initially to be released on June 21, 2011 but was pushed back to September. They recorded the album with Robert Orton who has handled production duties on albums by Police and Lady Gaga.
In April 2011, in an interview with Consequence of Sound, brothers Krispy and Joey talked about how Eraser will reshape their image: "With this album, we want to take those preconceived notions and shatter and erase them," eldest brother Krispy says. "This albums sums up everything we want to do. To transcend where we are and to smash everything wide open and make the kind of record that has that big sound we have live. It’s had hitting as shit and we keep the mayhem going and keep it free-flowing." Despite that chaotic nature, Joey insists the album begins where the last album left off and deliver one cohesive message, stating, "Every song has its own story, so everything ties into each other." Krispy went on to describe the album as "Heavy, heavy; it’s sexy," Krispy insists. "Even those don’t that like certain rock bands like that sexiness of certain rock bands. This album’s got that ’70s feel, but its very modern and straight-forward."
Critical reception
In his review for the Los Angeles Times's Music Blog, Matt Diehl called Eraser "one of 2011’s most startling, assured releases". He gave praise to the tracks "The Road (Intro)" and "Dead World" commenting, "From the lyrics to the sonics, the Knux here proves uncharacteristically brave amid its sheep-like peers: if anyone is to be heir to OutKast’s maverick throne, these guys might already have the keys to the kingdom." Diehl also wrote "“Run,” featuring a memorable cameo from Kid Cudi amid Strokes-style barre chords, is as catchy a single as any released this year; still, even club bangers like the rave-tastic “I See Stars” lace hands-in-the-air melodicism with quizzical melancholy."
Gregory Heaney of Allmusic felt the duo's change in direction, was a move inspired by the Black Eyed Peas, stating "their sophomore effort takes the group's sound into more pop-oriented territories". He complimented the live instrumentation, saying "the album brings the duo’s sound more in line with their live performances". He concluded with "While this new direction will probably net the pair more radio play, it’ll definitely be a disappointment for anyone who came to the group through the far superior Remind Me in 3 Days."