Taylor Knox

Toronto's Taylor Knox has made a name for himself as a backing player to a who's who of Canadian indie musicians, with stints supporting Hayden, Owen Pallett, Rich Aucoin, Jason Collett and more. Lines is a breezy, six-song power pop EP that finds Knox taking a turn at centrestage.

With thin, reedy vocals that at times recall John K. Samson of the Weakerthans, and crunchy guitar sounds that will have you fondly remembering your favourite Halifax power pop bands of the '90s, Knox isn't taking you anywhere you haven't been before. But the six songs that make up Lines are catchy, and the record stands on the strength of some very solid hooks and a few weird lyrical flourishes. "That's What You Do" in particular contains some memorable turns of phrase — I found myself manically repeating the "Change the channel / Cha-change the channel" mantra after hearing it. "Fire" is an obvious highlight and an easy choice for a single, a carpe diem anthem that delivers everything you could want out of a three-minute pop/rock song.

None of these songs top the four-minute mark, and all of them feature old school production with a nice, warm feel. The downtempo, Beatles-esque closer "Good Enough" is particularly intimate sounding, complete with tape hiss that suggests it may have been recorded in someone's living room, or in a motel room on the road.

Despite its brevity, Lines avoids feeling slight on the strength of its songs and a few unexpected touches. Colour me intrigued to see what Knox would do with a full-length record. (MapleMusic) - Exclaim!

This scribe has previously been impressed by Taylor Knox's skills as a drummer, as evidenced on work with Luke Doucet, the Golden Dogs, Hayden, Jason Collett, Rich Aucoin and more. It's now a pleasure to discover he's a helluva singer/songwriter (and multi-instrumentalist too). That is proven by his solo debut, the new mini-album Lines. It comprises six vibrant and melodic rock 'n roll songs that have been tagged power-pop. We detect a Sloan feel on "My Backyard" and a possible Big Star influence on other cuts. "Fire" is a suitably sizzling single, and we reckon all the tunes would sound great blasting from the radio. One impressive debut! - New Canadian Music

For those who have recently seen Hayden perform, Taylor Knox is the fresh-faced, long haired musician playing bass, guitar and drums (not all at once) in the band. Hell, if you’re a fan of Canadian music at all there’s a good chance he looks familiar as Knox has also toured with bands like The Golden Dogs, Owen Pallett, Zeus, and Sloan. Hinting at releasing his own stuff years back, Knox has finally released his debut EP and is it ever packed with classic power pop.

A familiar combination of distorted guitars, drums, bouncy bass notes, “oohs” and “aahhs,” it’s six songs steeped in nostalgia. They’re filled with the summer sun and everything that’s often paired with it – love, heartbreak, etc. The breezy opener “My Backyard”perfectly fits this idea, as it feels like lying in your backyard while contemplating going out and experience what life has to offer.

Throughout Lines, Knox’s takes interesting approaches to worn out narratives on love. Unlike Neil Young in “A Man Needs a Maid,” Knox, in the very catchy “That’s What You Do,” sings of not needing a woman to clean up after him but rather someone who makes him feel worthy. In “I See Lines,” Knox also wants to find the right partner but hoping that things will be easy, singing,“I want you to be a tree that I can climb.”

Beginning with a few quick power chords before moving into a pop-rock sound that Knox does so well, “Fire” is the definite standout from Lines. In a multi-facet number, guitar solos, a harmonious bridge, a simple but effective chorus all make this song the excel. Whether you read the “Fire” as literal or metaphorical, when Knox ends his tune with the line “there was a fire, you can’t deny it,” you’re really can’t. This song is smoking.

The closer, “Good Enough” turns in the high powered style of the previous tracks in exchanged for a stripped down acoustic number. A great way to wind down the EP, “Good Enough” is no less poppy than the rest of the EP but much more obviously sincere. A song about uncertainties, Knox quietly repeats, “I’d never thought I’d be good enough” for an emotional ending.

With the weather trends the way they are, Lines might be just what you need to make it to the summer months. - Greyowl Point

Taylor Knox

Lines EP (Maple Music)

BEFORE one can fully function as a music critic, one must come to terms with the subtle allure of power pop. Every season, as sure as the arrival of the bold, red-breasted robins, typically comes an album (or, heaven help us, more than one) that defies rock SSRqn' roll gravity to make its way into the deepest reaches of our candy-coated minds.

Toronto lad Taylor Knox's Lines EP has the kind of clever, diamond-in-the-rough charm that delivers on all the right levels. From the opening, mid-tempo sing-along goodness of My Backyard, the disc makes a case for listening to the long-haired dude's inner feelings and not feeling a little creepy. Maybe it's his sweet and unaffected vocals that are the attraction here.

Fire gets busy with a guitar riff before the last verse that makes you wonder if this kid might be a closet metalhead. That's What You Do rivals any power-pop fromage you can risk naming; one almost expects Jennifer Aniston to walk into the room smiling and waving as this plays -- over and over again. The proverbial lines have been drawn with this gem. HHHH

DOWNLOAD: That's What You Do, Fire

-- Jeff Monk - Winnipeg Free Press