By Jonni D
You can easily predict a good portion of the reviews that will emerge online for the debut release from Florida’s 14 North. Post-grunge has become fairly synonymous with – well, bollocks – or at the very least a dull semblance of the instigating genre that preceded it. Just watch the Metal Evolution episode on grunge and you’ll witness a sliver of the vitriol that it inspires. All this to say that many bands who are tarred with the label aren’t really given a fair shake. Hopefully 14 North are ready to hold out against the storm of potential detractors, as ‘What Is The Feeling?’ is an enjoyably streamlined debut that focuses on efficiency in songwriting over self-indulgence.
Much like genre mates Seether’s ‘Poison The Parish’, the production is sparse from Damien Starkey, a familiar face to the scene, keeping bells and whistles to a bare minimum. This keeps the focus on the strength of the songs themselves. Although generally simplistic, they’re hook-laden through and through, propelled by riffs weighted with a significant crunch – at heavier moments evoking a more 90’s sound à la Alice In Chains (the pummelling swing of ‘Trench’) or adopting a more dry tone for a lo-fi alt rock sound (the Stone Temple Pilots-esque ‘Face Down’). The four-piece avoid the pitfall of monotony that many similar bands fall into though, by shifting tempos regularly enough to avoid the dreaded critique of being just another ploddy post-grunge band – ‘Now I Rise’ is a particularly high octane example of adrenalizing modern rock.
There are likely to be comparisons made between vocalist Brandon Williams and the aforementioned Seether’s Shaun Morgan. Both feature a similar raspy, anguished delivery, most noticeable on the pre-released ‘Out Of Control’ and the more subdued reflection of ‘Drowning.’ While the influence is clearly there, Williams carries enough of his own personality, especially on the more unashamedly massive chorus of ‘Sun Burns Out’ – that song would’ve been inescapable if released ten years ago.
So, try and set aside preconceived notions of what these bands tend to sound like, or assumptions as to quality without listening to the music. 14 North has offered up an enjoyably consistent exemplifier of the better aspects of the post-grunge sound, and it’s sure to resonate with a sizable audience.
‘What Is The Feeling?’ is out now. You can get your copy HERE.
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