Most of Callahan's lyrics are introspective, though he's denied that they're strictly autobiographical. But over time he's learned to parlay his quirky, intimate expressions of ennui into stories with broader appeal. The ten tunes on Knock Knock combine to tell the tale of a man who falls in love, moves to the boonies with his sweetheart, watches the dream disintegrate, and flees. Knock Knock , Callahan perversely claims, is an album for teenagers. There's a lot about moving and traveling on the record.
Most adults let that die.
Musically, though, it's his most mature effort. There are even a few strummy rockers worthy of the Velvet Underground. But Callahan says the new sound might not be a keeper. Music should be free, and so some of the stuff I'm working on is much looser. That group will play Chicago sometime in March.