Knackology: The Zen Recordings or Power Pop is Not Dead…Yet

The Knack are back! Knackology: The Zen Recordings is a sparkling 19-track celebration that reminds us why the band mattered far beyond initial hits like “My Sharona” or “Good Girls Don’t”. This just released anthology is thoughtfully curated, blending pre-fame demos with studio cuts from later albums like Zoom and Normal as the Next Guy. Add some electrifying live performances and you’ve got a helluva “record”.

Powerpop Brilliance

It opens with a live recording of “Let Me Out”, capturing a key part of the band’s explosive early sets. Demos of “That’s What the Little Girls Do” and “Rock & Roll Is Good for You” give us an unvarnished look at the band’s songwriting process. Powerpop gems like “Pop Is Dead,” “Ambition,” and “Can I Borrow a Kiss” from Zoom (which Fieger said was perhaps their best album) are evidence of their lasting brilliance.

Live staples like “Good Girls Don’t,” “Baby Talks Dirty,” and “My Sharona” emphasize what a musical tour de force they were back in the day. This collection shines brightest in its variety. “Les Girls,” “Seven Days of Heaven,” and “Normal as the Next Guy” showcase sophisticated arrangements.

Get It Here

Knackology: The Zen Recordings serve as an accessible entryway for newcomers and a treasure for longtime fans. It proves The Knack were never just “My Sharona.” They were a sharp, hook-laden, jangly force whose music still sparkles with youthful urgency and timeless craft. Get it at Amazon Music, Apple Music (digital) or Kool Kat Musik (CD).

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