The Wild
Northern – The Whiskey Season (Independent)
Recorded with money raised from a generously
over-subscribed Kickstarter campaign, I can’t imagine The Wild Northern’s debut
long player disappointed any of the band’s friends, families or fans who paid their
money up front to aid the funding of the project.
Based in both New York City and Boston, the
five-piece group makes good use of Greyhound bus services traveling between the
two cities, and they’ve built two separate, independent fan bases with a sound
that merges classic influences such as Springsteen and Counting Crows, but also
incorporates a brittle indie edge. It’s a likeable combination, especially as
songwriter (also lead vocals, guitar and mandolin) Roland Eckstein brings an abundance
of widescreen imagery to his words, and the group (Brian Gallagher - lead
guitar and vocals, Jim Fitzgerald – guitar and banjo, Jim Abdon – bass and Andy
Guerini - drums) provides musical support, which is always compelling, with no
shortage of sometimes unanticipated aural thrills.
“The Whiskey Season” begins with “Send the Runner”, a spirited guitar rocker, which
brings to mind both the first wave of post-grunge alt. country and emblematic
post-punkers Magazine. Gallagher’s a mean guitarist with a distinctive sound,
and on “By the Indigo” his cool and controlled
playing propels the song in unexpected directions. “The
Demarcation” returns to the feisty animation on the opening cut, and “Modest Man of Mighty Deeds” shows an altogether
folkier side, as mandolin takes lead, and though it’s an altogether different
approach, the result is no less pleasing.
Phil S.
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