The Knife Feels Like Justice

The Knife Feels Like Justice is the debut album by Brian Setzer, released in 1986 on the EMI America record label. Setzer was moving on from the rockabilly music of his prior band, Stray Cats, to a more adult-oriented roots rock sound, in the style of one of his major influences, John Cougar Mellencamp.[1] Setzer utilized Mellencamp's producer, Don Gehman, and his drummer, Kenny Aronoff, for the studio recordings.[1]

The Knife Feels Like Justice
Studio album by
Brian Setzer
Released1986
GenreRock
LabelEMI America
ProducerDon Gehman
Brian Setzer chronology
The Knife Feels Like Justice
(1986)		 Live Nude Guitars
(1988)

The album peaked at number 45 on the US Billboard album chart in April 1986.[2] A music video for the title track was shot on Pueblo land near Taos, New Mexico.[1] The video features all the musicians from the studio recording except drummer Aronoff, whose onscreen substitute was the E Street Band's Max Weinberg.[1]

Although it was not as popular as hoped upon its initial release, the original pressings for both the cassette and compact disc versions have sold out. It was re-released on CD in 1990 and again in 1999. In 2007 it was released again as part of a "2 albums on 1 CD" format, paired with his 1988 follow-up album Live Nude Guitars. An import CD version is also available.

Track listing

All tracks composed by Brian Setzer except where indicated:[3]

  1. "The Knife Feels Like Justice"
  2. "Haunted River"
  3. "Boulevard of Broken Dreams"
  4. "Bobby's Back"
  5. "Radiation Ranch"
  6. "Chains Around Your Heart"
  7. "Maria" (Setzer, Steven Van Zandt)
  8. "Three Guys"
  9. "Aztec" (Mike Campbell, Setzer, Bo Diddley)
  10. "Breath of Life" (Setzer, Tommy Byrnes)
  11. "Barbwire Fence"

Personnel
  • Brian Setzer - guitar, lead vocals
  • Tommy Byrnes - guitar, background vocals
  • Chuck Leavell - keyboards
  • Kenny Aaronson - bass
  • Kenny Aronoff - drums, percussion
  • Steve Jordan - drums (track 4)
  • Benmont Tench - organ (track 4)
  • Mike Campbell - 12 string guitar (track 9)
  • Peggi Blu - vocals (tracks 3, 8, and 10)
  • Queen Esther Marrow - vocals (tracks 3, 8, and 10)
  • Diva Grey - vocals (tracks 3, 8, and 10)
  • Dave Williams - vocals (tracks 2, 4, and 6)
  • Andrew Williams - vocals (tracks 2, 4, and 6)
  • Yvonne Zuaro - vocals (tracks 1, 7, 9, and 11)

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]

In a retrospective review, critic Mark Deming pondered how the album is "a rare example of Setzer taking a stab at contemporary rock & roll with a message, and it is more successful than anyone might have expected," emphasizing that "there's a heart and sincerity to this material that's genuine and affecting."[3]

References
  1. Tamarkin, Jeff (June 1986). "Brian Setzer: Stray Cats No More". Creem. Retrieved June 2, 2019 – via Rock's Backpages.
  2. "Billboard 200: Brian Setzer". Billboard. 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  3. Deming, Mark. The Knife Feels Like Justice at AllMusic. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
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