The Grand Nationals - From the north

The Grand National

From The North
self-released; 2014

4.0 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

A lot can happen over a two-year period to a band. Members can leave, personal demons can manifest and the person you were can be a shell of the person you have become. For The Grand Nationals It took two years to write their recent album entitled From The North as some of these transitions were happening. Through the music you are left with a time capsule that captures their emotions that were happening in that time and space. 

From The North is a heartfelt album with a diverse range of emotion and appeal. The songs feel interconnected by the warmth and production but offer something for almost any type of mood you are in. On top of that the album feels organic from top to bottom. It is loaded with surplus of acoustic instrumentation that sounds finely produced as well as natural.

The band couldn't have picked out a better opener with “Over and Over.” It contains a good amount of unbridled energy that comes in the form of fuzzy electric guitars, drums, bass and impassioned vocals. The lyrics are poignant and poetic without relying on a strict narrative. The vocalist sings, “The same sad song's getting older I spin it over and over Ever little line that they wrote her She's singing over and over. ‘

They take down the energy a bit with “All The While” and replace it with melancholy. Not all bands pull off melancholy well but these guys do. A big part of that is the texture and tone of the lead vocalist. His voice sounds like someone who has seen a bit more than he has wanted to. It’s almost stoic but with  dynamic range. 

The band obviously paid attention to the sequential order as the pace of the record get better as it progresses. “ Can't Get Home (Without You) feat. Ali Wadsworth” features a male and female vocalist while “Dancing With You (When It's Over)” will make you cry if you have human emotions.

Two years is a long time to write an album but the results were worth the wait. The songs are well produced, well- written and contain an honesty that I think most music fans will appreciate.

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