Knife (album)

Knife is the second album by Scottish indie pop group Aztec Camera, released on 21 September 1984. It reached number 14 on the UK Albums Chart – their highest showing at that time.^[2] It also charted at No. 29 on the Swedish Albums Chart.^[3]

Knife
Studio album by Aztec Camera
Released	21 September 1984[1]
Recorded	February–June 1984
Studio	Air Studios
Genre	Indie pop
Label	Sire (LP), WEA (CD)
Producer	Mark Knopfler
Aztec Camera chronology
High Land, Hard Rain (1983) Knife (1984) Love (1987)

The original release did not include the acoustic cover of "Jump" by Van Halen; this was added after Aztec Camera's version (originally the B-side of "All I Need Is Everything") gained popularity.

Background

Shortly after New Years Day 1984, Aztec Camera went through a significant line-up change that saw the retention of frontman Roddy Frame and bassist Campbell Owens, adding drummer David Ruffy, guitarist Malcolm Ross of Orange Juice and keyboardist Guy Fletcher of Dire Straits. Author Dave Thompson wrote in his book Alternative Rock (2000) that this shift altered Frame's vision for the band; taking cues from Elvis Costello, Frame set about making what Thompson said was the "far wordier, if no less obsessively introspective canvas" which became Knife. It was produced by Mark Knopfler, also of Dire Straits. Thompson said Frame and Knopfler was "a marriage which guaranteed musical standards to match Frame's aspirations."^[4]

Release

During 1984, Aztec Camera's profile had been outmatched by the popularity of the Smiths, who Thompson said had borrowed from Frame's musical intent and made it more accessible. "All I Need Is Everything" was released as a single in September 1984.^[4]

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[5]
Alternative Rock	8/10[4]
Christgau's Record Guide	B+[6]
Rolling Stone	[7]

Thompson wrote that the "dubious recruitment" of Knopfler became a "godsend as Frame's earlier fragility starts turning towards darker, earthen energies."^[4]

Track listing

All songs written by Roddy Frame.

Side one

1. "Still on Fire" – 3:56
2. "Just Like the USA" – 4:03
3. "Head Is Happy (Heart's Insane)" – 4:16
4. "The Back Door to Heaven" – 5:22

Side two

1. "All I Need Is Everything" – 5:44
2. "Backwards and Forwards" – 4:13
3. "The Birth of the True" – 2:42
4. "Knife" – 9:05

Personnel

• Roddy Frame – vocals, guitar
• David Ruffy – drums, backing vocals
• Campbell Owens – bass, backing vocals
• Malcolm Ross – guitar, backing vocals
• Guy Fletcher – keyboards, backing vocals
• Frank Ricotti – percussion
• Chris White – saxophone
• Martin Drover – trumpet