What makes Hide the Kitchen Knives by The Paper Chase notable?

This album received critical acclaim for its innovative approach to alternative rock, often being praised in outlets like Pitchfork and gaining a cult following. Its exploration of disturbing themes juxtaposed with nuanced musicality influenced later artists within the genre who sought to blend experimental sounds with emotional depth. Released in 2002, Hide the Kitchen Knives is The Paper Chase's second album and follows their debut, which established their avant-garde sound. At this point in their career, the band was beginning to carve out a niche in the alternative rock scene with their provocative themes and complex arrangements, further solidifying their unique artistic identity.

How many songs are on Hide the Kitchen Knives?

Hide the Kitchen Knives has 13 tracks, running approximately 48 minutes.

Hide the Kitchen Knives

The Paper Chase · 2002

48 min · 13 tracks · alternative rock

An unsettling blend of jagged rhythms and stark, introspective lyrics that explore the darker sides of domestic life.

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Top tracks — play these first

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I Did a Terrible Thing — With its haunting narrative and intricate instrumentation, this track encapsulates the album's exploration of guilt and moral ambiguity. Its tension-building dynamics set the tonal stage for the entire record.
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Don't You Wish You Had Somemore — This song features a compelling structure where dissonance meets melody, reflecting the underlying themes of yearning and regret prevalent throughout the album. It serves as a striking example of the band's lyrical sharpness combined with sonic complexity.
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Out Come the Knives — Closing the album, this track confronts listener expectations with an explosive culmination of musical intensity and thematic resolution, leaving a lingering impact that challenges conventional narratives about domesticity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album's jagged rhythms and unsettling themes create a unique listening experience within alternative rock.

What we noticed

The album features abrupt tempo changes, with tracks alternating between frenetic energy and slow, brooding moments.
Many songs employ dissonant chord progressions that create a sense of unease, particularly in the vocal delivery.
The lyrics often present stark imagery and unsettling narratives, enhancing the overall dark atmosphere of the music.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 I Did a Terrible Thing 5:37
2 Where Have Those Hands Been? 3:51
3 I'm Gonna Spend the Rest of My Life Lying 5:26
4 A Nice Family Dinner for Once 0:33
5 Don't You Wish You Had Somemore 4:53
6 I Tried So Hard to Be Good 1:07
7 A Little Place Called Trust 5:55
8 Sleep With the Fishes 1:51
9 So, How Goes the Good Fight 4:55
10 God Forgive Us All 1:24
11 AliverAlungAkidneyAthumb 4:36
12 Drive Carefully, Dear 2:36
13 Out Come the Knives 5:26

What to play next

Listen next

God Bless Your Black Heart

2004

Go back to

Young Bodies Heal Quickly, You Know

2000

Full The Paper Chase discography Artists like The Paper Chase

alternative rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata