Is This Thing Loaded?,
NorthstarOk, I gonna make this as short and sweet as possible. Nothstar are fucking ace. Hailing from Long Island they do the post-hardcore/emo thing with their own twist and while they are friends with the usual suspects they don't particularly take influence from them. Infact I'd go as far as saying that 'Is This Thing Loaded' is one of the better records that has come out of the scene. Heralded by Taking Back Sunday and released on Triple Crown, the same lable as Brand New, the comparisons are obvious, but Northstar are a different proposition. They're more adventurous than TBS and lazier than Brand New, but with a quick lyrical wit that is razor sharp and some cutting guitars than snap and snarl.
Frontman Nick Torres has a unique vocal style, a drawl which meanders through each song and while it sounds at first like he's slurring in time you will learn to love it. 'Rigged and Ready' cuts like a scythe, full of hooks and melodies yet crashing with guitars and drums dropping from all over and 'Broken Parachute' slows and switches off during a strangely fascinating hummed "la de da" refrain which separates two cutting verses. It's disjointed yet the fragments come together nicely. The lyrics throughout are clever too, often using metaphors to translate a more common message. It keeps things fresh, a bit like Brand New tend to do. 'My Ricochet' is a must-listen, 'My Wishing Well Disease' kicks like a mule and 'Train Hopping In Dixieland' is a bittersweet bitch. "I can't wait forever for you," Nick snarls - and neither can I, even though I have no idea who she is. I'm a sucker for a good song...
I only got into this band after reading about them on the Punktastic Forums. I'm glad I did - if you like the Long Island scene this cd is a must and even if you don't you may well be pleasantly surprised. Ignore the fact they are from where they are, ignore who they are friends with and concentrate on the beauty 'Is This Loaded?' is - 'cos it's ace.
www.isthisthingloaded.com
Triple Crown Records
Paul
