Hot Money Records
myspace.com/themightynorthumberland
Indie/Folk/Pop
“…cause I’ve been sick and I’ve been healthy but never have I been this…”
The Mighty Northumberland is something of a Halifax super band. Consisting of members whose other musical ventures include Tomcat Combat, The Gideons, The Got To Get Got, Hugs, York Redoubt, The Dishonest Mailmen and Gamma Gamma Rays. The result is a who’s who of talented people in their early 20’s.
Stripped down to their core, the songs are musically in the vein of The Mountain Goats, or some of the more restrained Microphones stuff I’ve heard. What makes these songs really standout and come into their own is the layering of awesome drum parts, keyboard drone, noisy guitars and intricate bass lines (which are more prominent live than in this particular recording).
The demo’s first song, A Life of Servitude is a beautiful mix of folksy acoustic parts and huge high energy full band sections. All perfectly framed by the same verse and scraping guitar feedback
Nigel Chapman’s voice is reminiscent of Colin Meloy from the Decemberists, however Nigel’s delivery is clearer and less nasally than Meloy’s. Nigel's lyrics and vocal melodies work together beautifully, twisting around themselves and painting images of future families, hospital rooms, and radio receivers. He sings with the wisdom and conviction of a much older man. It is smart and poetic without ever once coming off as pretentious.
The percussion really shines on the demo. Nothing exceptionally flashy, but all the percussion is interesting and creative and unique, no bland or boring 4x4 beats. This isn’t just drumming, it’s playing the drums, there is a difference and this recording perfectly illustrates what that difference is.
On the whole, this EP sounds nothing like anything I’ve ever heard out of Halifax, but is still definitively of this city. The band just wrapped up recording a second EP with Charles Austin at Echo Chamber. I’m giddy with excitement over it.
It goes without saying that I suggest checking this release out. Luckily you can download it here, unluckily though, this band won't be playing again until the summer, as Nigel is studying abroad. This demo, as great as it is, does not do this band justice at all, especially when held up to their live show. Do yourself a favour and go see this band every time they play this summer.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
