The Northern Line embody a kind of sleek modern Brit-Pop and Mod that’s not really prevalent in the scene today making their debut self-titled EP an enduring collection of songs that’s destined to stand the test of time. In other words, it’s GREAT!
The way the the rhythm section of McG (Drums, Percussion, Backing Vox) and Josh Magee (Bass) shuffles and shimmies throughout opener “Let’s Roll On” coupled with the Keys from Mike Ackley (With Carrie Ingber credited as additional keyboards on the EP) is reminiscent of both The Stone Roses and Kula Shaker at times while the way that Pete Kitchener manipulates those frets brings to mind TSR’s own John Squire.
Speaking of Stones, bringing all the swagger behind the mic and to the Rhythm Guitar like the other famous MJ from that other Stones band (Please don’t say we have to spell this out more…) and setting The Northern Line apart from any of the bands mentioned as well as your Oasis’ or Blur’s (And the fact that they’re from Boston, not Manchester) is the one and only Bilvox who is an absolute revelation to all of his roles within the band.
That shows on the bonafide banger that is “Lightning Strikes” complete with a lush chorus that’s ageless and again on “Out In The Drift”, a more restrained number in terms of bombast that expands the band’s sonic palette with hints of 70’s Psychedelia seeping in. Lead single “Throw A Fist” coming at the end of it all is an epiphany with that Magee/McG/Ackley pairing laying down the GROOVES as Kitchener nicely accents the vibes and Bilvox does something akin to a celebratory lap with his vocal approach that’s vibrant and victorious.
The Northern Line is out on May 8th and you can make sure you’re the first in your neighbourhood to hear it by heading here! For more from The Northern Line, including all the deets on the dual release show alongside The Chelsea Curve with support from Nick and the Adversaries and DJ Sherman at Medford Brewing Co on May 9th (Early show from 4-8PM), hit the socials across the information superhighway when you click here, here or here.