Customer Reviews

Is This Thing Loaded

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is easy to believe that in the burgeoning "emo" scene out there, Northstar will soon become one of the most popular bands in the genre. It of course helps to have the immensely popular (and talented) Taking Back Sunday promoting you. But the music speaks for itself. This band is more in the vein of "Hey Mercedes," than other more typical bands of the genre (such as Midtown), in that they actually write good rock music, and combine this musicality with catchy (and well written) vocals, and add on top of this an almost pop-punk vibe in many of their songs. Just like Hey Mercedes, Northstar excels at catchy vocals and well placed rhythm changes in their songs, which makes both of these bands just rock. Every member of Northstar is obviously skilled at their instruments, and they combine their talent well in this cd. The catchiest song (at first listen) is definitely "Cinderella," which is just a great song--the chorus of that song captures what this band does best, in combining great lyrics, with a poppy beat, but not just settling for the simplistic--they juxtapose two different rhythms in the chorus and it works to perfection. Other notable songs (at least immediately notable )include Broken Parachute (which includes a great bass line, and an almost pop-punk jam down session under a melodic vocal line after the pre chorus of la da da da) and My Ricochet, which seems to have (unbelievably) three catchy choruses in one song . Rigged and Ready is also superb, but might take a little longer to appreciate. In fact, the entire album is great, and is composed the way all great albums are: a couple immediately gratifying songs, with even better, but harder to appreciate songs nestled in between. I recommend this album to anyone who appreciates emo, rock, or just well written music.

Lets make this short and sweet. This album was breath of fresh air for the soul. If YOU do not own this cd YOU are missing out on history in the making. P.S. I will be taking my copy to the Middle East to share with all the Troops downrange. Keep on putting out great music. Reliant K

northstar is one of the greatest bands ever. all of you complaining about the recording quality are ignorant as hell. they re-released the album and anyway the intros or whatever you guys are complaining about echo a little bit and sound kind of far away on purpose. the lyrics are amazing. nick torres is my idol, not only is he a incredible singer but he play guitar while he's doing it. the drums are phenomenal especially the outro to broken parachute (track 3). the lyrics and songwriting are intricate and amazing. not a single bad track on the album. my favorite cd of alltime.

rigged and ready - a highlight of the cd, crazy good
is this thing loaded? - a little slower with great lyrics
broken parachute - one of the coolest intros ever and a song to follow it up
my ricochet - catchiest song on the cd... no words for it
my wishing well disease - one of the harder tracks on the album but still excellent
taker not a giver - cool song with a great chorus
daybreak - guitars on this song are really cool
train hopping in dixieland - one of my favorites on the cd... some really cool isolated vocals on this one
cinderella - another cool intro with a sweet song to back it up
black heart valentine - not so upbeat song... sweet to end off on.

Northstar is without a doubt one of the most amazing bands I have ever heard in my life. There really aren;t words for this CD. I preach about it to everyone and everyone I have convinced to buy the CD has become just as obsessed with it as I am. This is a CD you can just let play, no chnaging songs because they are all amazing. They are lyrically fantastic so if you are a lyrics person(like me)...GET THIS CD! Best songs:: "My Ricochet" and "Trainhopping in Dixieland".

If you are like me, you may have heard of Northstar through the heavy praise they were receiving from emo-rock upstarts Taking Back Sunday. "Best band ever," is what I believe TBS said of Northstar. Well, I am not sure if that is completely accurate, but if they put out a few more albums like this it may not be too far from the truth. Northstar can flat out write good songs; Gorgeously structured with smart lyrics and catchy rythms. The production on the CD could be a little better, but the raw, chunky guitar riffs combined with the smooth vocals make for a unique sound that will have you humming along for days. There is only one thing wrong with this CD...about three of the songs just don't meet up to the standards set by all the other ones on the album. Still, nothing to complain about here. Check out "Rigged and Ready," "Taker Not a Giver," and "My Ricochet."
Verdict- 95/100

Northstar came out of nowhere with "Is This Thing Loaded," and although it is my pick for best rock CD of 2002 I didn't even get my hands on it until a year later. Better late than never I suppose. I can't believe this band is still basically under the radar after this powerful album. Everyone that complains about lack of originality in the music industry these days should stop talking and go pick this up. If you are into technical rock music or lyrically deep and/or (dare i say?) poetic songs you should not be without "Is This Thing Loaded." About as close to perfect as you are going to find.
97/100 as a side note, any reviewer who calls Northstar "punk" is a moron and should not be taken seriously.

Since I first heard this band I have been in love with their music. Smarter than Taking Back Sunday and with a slightly more indie sound. It seems that TBS actually takes a lot from this band because I find similarities between the two bands. I personally prefer Pollyanna but I still like this cd.
Favorite Tracks:
Rigged and Ready
My Richochet

These guys rock. Ive been listening to them nonstop since the CD came out. Great sound if you like Taking Back Sunday, or Brand New. They are touring with TBS, remember this band, as they will be well known very soon.

This is my favourite CD ever. I LOVE northstar, and this is one of those cd's that you can listen to over and over and never get sick of...and you never have to skip that one song that isn't so good...because they're ALL so good. for real

I have been consistantly listening to this CD for years and it never gets old. I may let a month pass between listening and then I fall in love with it all over again. The lyrics are amazing, no other band comes close. Definitely an album where you don't need to skip any songs, they are all great. My favorites would include: Rigged and Ready, My Ricochet, Broken Parachute and Taker Not A Giver. Also check out their other 2 releases: Pollyanna and Broken Parachute.