Great Northern - Trading Twilight For Lines Around The Block

Great Northern [MP3] Great Northern - The Middle I didn't have time yesterday to write about Great Northern's magnificent CD release show Tuesday night at The Echo. My apologies. It really hurts you more than it hurts me. The band's first full length, Trading Twilight For Daylight, has been in severe CD rotation for me the past few months. The record is a gorgeous combination of shoegaze rock, melancholy drone, and sunshine pop. The result is a sonic masterpiece. I have watched their live show improve exponentially over the past 6 months. The band have gone from sparsely attended at the Silverlake Lounge to Tuesday's completely SOLD OUT, line wrapping around the block, CD release show in just under a year. The Echo was decked out with red lights hung from white wires tied to the rafters Tuesday night. A backdrop of the band's album artwork covered the stage. The audience chatted wildly - eager to help the band celebrate the fruits of their labor. I spotted members of The Pity Party, Division Day, and The Happy Hollows navigating the packed house. Great Northern have always been supportive of the scene and Tuesday night it was time to return the favor. The band hit the stage just after 11 PM. The sound was a bit muddy at first, but quickly righted itself. I give the sound guy and A for effort. Great Northern are not an easy band to mix. By the time the band propelled into "Low Is A Height" I was at a complete loss for words. This set was different from any set I have seen them play. It was an establishing set. Great Northern are no longer just another local band trying to make it happen - They are the real deal. Great Northern's new record really couldn't come with a stronger recommendation from me. They are one of the best the Silverlake music scene has to offer - if not THE best. If you don't even appreciate this record you can forget the whole eastside of Los Angeles. You can purchase the record at iTUNES right now. TONIGHT IN LOS ANGELES: VH1 Rock Honors Party with WHITESTARR/Poets and Pornstars/Sergeant/Meanband @ The Roxy Mickey Avalon, Dirt Nasty, Andre Legacy @ The Key Club Ozma, William Tell, New Year's Day @ Troubadour King Kong, Hecuba, Mountain Party @ Club Spaceland Ben Gibbard (of Death Cab for Cutie), David Bazan (Pedro The Lion) @ Royce Hall UCLA Agent Ribbons, Hearts of Palm U.K., Man and the Motorcar @ Silverlake Lounge Fujiya & Miyagi, Port O'Brien @ The Echo Second Chance, Front Row For the Meltdown, Empty Seat, Davy Lonesome & the Lollipop Kids @ The Scene