Northernmost have been showing promise for a while now, with a full length album and series of EPs all showcasing their thoughtful take on feedback soaked post-rock, but as of yet they’ve not quite reached the heights that they’re clearly capable of. ‘Pinedale’ finds them continuing to mix elements of shoe-gaze and grunge into their sound and it could well help Northernmost win a new legion of fans.The fragile guitars and percussion that open ‘Greenbrier’ and the shoe-gaze inspired verse that follows suggest that more subtle elements have taken priority, however the latter stages of it are more purposeful and the way the song flows brings to mind Brand New at their most focussed.
‘Milo’ also employs a more direct approach, and like ‘Greenbrier’ it also builds towards a strong finish. Despite this it doesn’t hold as much immediate appeal, instead getting more and more rewarding with each listen. This turns out to be a recurring theme throughout ‘Pinedale’ as there’s some brilliant song writing and thoughtful lyrics that aren’t always completely obvious under the layers of feedback.
‘Cloudy’, for example, appears twice as both a full band and acoustic effort and it works much better when stripped back. With just the core elements in use, the vocals are able to fill the track and the achingly honest lyrics hold your full attention. With the support of a full band it’s much more of a straight up rock song and the added guitars give it a more melodic tone than the other songs on the EP. ‘Afterglow’ is by no means a weak track but it’s too similar to the other tracks to really stand out despite the hard-hitting drums and solid riffs.
‘Pinedale’ is perfect for those quiet and reflective moods that we all experience. What it may at times lack in immediacy it more than makes up for with great depth and displays of emotion. You don’t always want to listen to a barrage of heavy riffs or hear an album full of sing-along choruses, sometimes you want something more thoughtful and subtle, and in that respect ‘Pinedale’ is the perfect soundtrack.
CHRIS HILSON