North Lincoln - Midwestern Blood

This is an album I’ve been meaning to talk about for a while, but just never got around to. I’d heard North Lincoln on various comps and mixes people have made for a few years, but never really explored the band’s catalog, despite enjoying what I’d heard. So now, in 2009, they’ve got this here new album (though, according to the Punknews review, it was actually recorded in 2007), so what better time than now?

Kicking things off with the anthemic, soaring “My Summer Spent Indoors,” the band almost immediately kicks it up with the tuneful yet gritty punk rock that they’ve been perfecting over the years. After listening to a few songs, it should come as no surprise that this album was released by No Idea Records. The Gainesville-based label makes perfect sense for this record. On my first listen, I commented a few times to myself that in particular the lead singer often sounded like he was really trying to channel both Chris Wollard and Chuck Ragan. Hey, if you’re gonna emulate any singers, those aren’t bad choices.

If we’re gonna keep going with the Hot Water Music comparisons, this seems closer to the later Epitaph years than albums like Fuel for the Hate Game. That’s not a bad thing; I love Caution in particular among HWM’s discography. But like those records, here the band’s gruff sound is tempered with a very pronounced sense of melody and poppiness. It’s still punk rock in the sense that it’s gonna pummel you with the crunchy riffs and the propulsive drumming.

The entire first side of this album is solid as all get out. There’s really not a song to be skipped, though it can get a bit same-y at times. It sounds good, and would rip live, but at times you might find yourself unable to tell if you’re listening to “Seasons” or “Remember.” But then you get the 5-minute “All This Time,” where the band is given a bit more room to play and show what they can do. It’s great.

Anyway, for most of you, the fact that this is on No Idea should give you an idea whether or not you’ll like it. If not that, than the inevitable comparisons to Hot Water Music, and maybe some Small Brown Bike, will seal the deal. If you’re up in the air, still, let this reassure you: this is a great record. Definitely worth your time.