Listening to the self-titled EP from The North Sea, I didn’t need their biography to note the influences at work here. There were even moments when I felt I could have been listening to a young Smiths or The Cure, with a slightly grungier edge. The 80’s/90’s sound is strong from start to finish, an aspect of this band and release which has both its strong and weak points.
Opening track Decay shows the band at their best. Between the classic influences, strong vocals and a wall of guitar and effects that hits you like a bus, a serious driving force is created. This track is a catchy, easy listen, provided by a group doing what they’re good at. However, with every young band, there comes the need to push the boundaries, a need that is totally necessary in forming new, exciting sounds and projects.
We see this need take effect with The North Sea on track two – These Broken Days. Maintaining the same retro 80’s feel, they throw a few unexpected chord changes into the mix. Preferring not to get bogged down in the technical aspects of the music when reviewing, you can’t help but feel that the experimental use of chord changes here does nothing but interrupt the flow of what could have been a very strong track. The use of this progression, has little other effect than making you stop and think; “Why on earth would they use that there?”. This track shows that the band has the right idea about development and experimentation being key for keeping the attention of the listener, but they just haven’t found the right sound quite yet.
Such problems do not arise in track three, Belong. Another very strong track with lots to enjoy, it also has plenty of reasons to reminisce about those bands that never get much radio play anymore. The flow continues into track four, I’ve Seen Everything Now, with a melodious and catchy chorus with the same upbeat rhythm and atmosphere.
The final track on this release, Vulnerable, opens with the promise of a little variation, but falls quickly back into the category as its predecessors. Although enjoyable and pleasant, you can’t help but feel that at this point we should have seen another side to The North Sea. It’s clear from this release that this band is on the right track, beginning to experiment with their sound and their comfort zone, and attempting to bring their love of classic 80’s and 90’s rock into the 21st century. There are triumphs, and there are pitfalls, but without a doubt there is real potential. This EP gives a good indication of promise, and should serve as a strong building point for future releases from a band that appear to have a good idea of how to mature, grow and perfect their craft. And once they play to their strengths, all that should be well within their reach.