Customer Reviews

Trading Twilight for Daylight

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

 

 

Great Northern sounds a great deal like Elliot Smith, with a tiny bit of The Cranberries thrown in for good measure. The overall style is mellow, with haunting vocals that are reminiscent of Sun King by The Beatles. The sound is consistent, and the samples available are a good indication of the entire album.

It really is Shoegazing music, but the vocalists are too powerful to be firmly put in this category.

If there is any criticism worth a one star deduction, it is that the music itself, while well orchestrated, is a bit simple. Contrast that with Smith, who threw a lot of goings on behind his melodies, and made for far more interesting compositions.

So, I was working my way down Nic Harcourt's top ten album list for 2007. Lots of good music but nothing I got too excited about until I got to number seven, which was Great Northern. I listened to them live on KCRW and then I listened to CD versions and I was convinced. Beautifully produced, with great harmonies and soaring choruses.

I first heard them a few weeks ago at their show in Chicago and they can really rock. I was very impressed to listen to the album later and find them to be just at good in the studio. These days it seems that all too often you either get one or the other. I can't get enough of the vocals, the songs are arranged nicely, and there is something about the album which has kept it on repeat for the past week and a half.

Forget about who they supposedly sound like or how complex/simple their music is/isn't, just buy it. An astonishingly solid debut that has easily become my most played disc of the year, especially "Low Is A Height".

Also available (only from iTunes as of writing) is a new 5 song EP "Sleepy Eepee" plus a bonus album track "Winter"--all worth having.

This is a very refreshing cd. I am totally shocked it's an L.A. Band. I first heard them on KRCW and instantly liked it. I'm happy to say every track is good. I love to play it when I need to get things done. It has a soothing aspect to it. It also rocks well. I just love Great Northern.

Gorgeously sung, arranged and produced album, particularly for a (presumably?) low-budget item. But it's all surface beauty, without much else to recommend it. And awfully plodding -- pick up the pace, kids! "The Middle" is catchy, but memorable songwriting is in short supply here. However, I wouldn't be surprised if the band goes onto greater success. A larger label could grab them, add some marketing juice and park them in the Barnes & Noble top-seller racks.