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 | True NorthSomewhat Similar2004 No Idea 
 Review by: Adam See others by this writer ![[staff]](/images/icons/staffsticker.gif){kind=icon}
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Published on May 28th 2004 True North has found this really pleasing medium between arty progression and solid hardcore. They therefore avoid trap of taking odd time signatures and unconventional song structures to the point where songs are clearly "noise for the sake of noise," something that's plagued other bands in this post-Fugazi vein. A recognizable underlying vein of Gainesville-styled punk rock allows Somewhat Similar to sound inventive and interesting without ever coming off as pretentious. In fact despite all the dissonance Somewhat Similar has more infectious moments than one would expect. From the barn burning opener "Hey, Let's Spend The Night Together" onwards the band smartly peppers their complexity with very catchy, traditional punk rock devices. The best example of this is likely the group shout-along chorus in "You j.o.j or f.o.b?" of "Motion (for the) sake of motion! Is it forward? Always forward!" The band sounds absolutely epic on big, forceful rockers like "Right Church, Wrong Pew." Whiskey & Co vocalist Kim Helm makes an appearance on "Summer Lovin" and the female vocals (particularly in the later chorus) are quite effective. Somewhat Similar flies by in 28 minutes with 8 songs and enough interesting moments to warrant playing the record all over again (which I've found myself doing more than a few times with this release). Fans of Twelve Hour Turn will instantly recognize Dave Diem's vocals here and the influence of that band is certainly present. Ryan Murphy and Mark Rodriguez of Palatka and Matt Sweeting of Srikeforce Diablo / Asshole Parade round out the roster. While this certainly means No Idea's characteristic sound is a factor, True North covers enough new ground to distinguish itself. All in all Somewhat Similar is an awesome release and well worth seeking out.  True North - Hey, Let's Spend The Night Together
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i think this record is brilliant...bought it the other week and can't stop listening...great band... you like true north??????? how funking stupid can you be????? OH MY SQUITD!! TRUE NORTH IS TERRIBLE JUST LIKE YOU! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! !!!!! FUUUUUUUUNNNNKKK! i like true north. to the person that says that this song sounds good- the mp3 is pure bollocks, awful awful song....whats the point in putting out music if it isnt listenable "who the hell posts and then tells the person that are arguing with that they have being "PWNED"... you are obviously a person that talks just to be heard." who the hell posts and then tells the person that are arguing with that they have being "PWNED"... you are obviously a person that talks just to be heard. "You my friend have been pwned" no, you've been OWNED. ha nice try. while True North is amazing, i miss Twelve Hour Turn, which was even more amazing, with Rich Diem and John Magnifico alternating on vocals with Dave Diem. the most interestingest thing about this interesting song is it's lack of interest, i mean promise. not enough promise. i like my promising bands to be more than moderately interesting. and by interesting i mean to keep time, because honestly, i'm tired of bands who use odd/changing time signatures that i may not familiar with or interested with because i have to actually listen to what's going on. what's the deal with that? i mean, i just want to hear one mp3 and talk about keeping time. the lack of proper time keeping ruined the first alkaline trio album. well that, and it wasn't interesting. lisetning, that's not interesting. it's pretentious. like that word that shows up in every review... what's that word? oh yeah. interesting. the most interestingest thing about this interesting song is it's lack of interest, i mean promise. not enough promise. i like my promising bands to be more than moderately interesting. and by interesting i mean to keep time, because honestly, i'm tired of bands who use odd/changing time signatures that i may not familiar with or interested with because i have to actually listen to what's going on. what's the deal with that? i mean, i just want to hear one mp3 and talk about keeping time. the lack of proper time keeping ruined the first alkaline trio album. well that, and it wasn't interesting. lisetning, that's not interesting. it's pretentious. like that word that shows up in every review... what's that word? oh yeah. interesting. I cant review anything except the mp3 but is it cool to not be able to keep time? i smell a MP3 of the week. seriously though i love this band and album. Awesome album; awesome guys. Why can't I read a review on this site without seeing the word "pretentious" in it? Good job, lame square. rock. matt sweeting is the new black. i hear a definite fuel influence. good shit. |
