Raw production can field good or bad results, The Incurable Romantic falls under good. Sides of the North is an indie/post-hardcore band coming from Dayton, Ohio. Their sound is something that is quite good and drops into some mix of newer FSF and Point #1 era Chevelle, with a feel of delicate and punchy played around at the same time with an excellently done fashion. Call it “structured intensity” maybe? What I like the best is the vocals (think raw Chevelle) that grip and are RIGHT THERE, while in an indecision over whether to mellow out or just let those vocals belt out and maybe even scream, a middle ground. The Incurable Romantic does not bore and does not let go of the ears that listen to the whole ordeal. It is haunting, but not “scary,” builds up and then comes together (in a way). A few of the tracks have a touch of piano (mostly at the start) that help to accentuate and build anticipation for the song to come. The band explain the lyrics: “The theme of the record really is just simply about the relationship between God and us. It’s about the romance. There is no way for us to ever be good enough, be doing enough, be perfect enough to be worthy of God’s favor.” Beautifully stated! Look for these guys in ’05.
Ratings – Doug Van Pelt 3/5, Len Nash 4/5
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis April 2005Reviewed by John DurkeeWhen I saw Sides of the North last year, they wore their influence on their back... literally. The drummer wore his Chevelle shirt. Sides of the North have a great ability to make haunting guitar sounds with good riffs and moaning vocals, like Chevelle or Tool. The concept of the album is that God is an incurable romantic in His love for His children, as the album title suggests. I'm not sure I…Similar sounding releases
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