Canadian rock band North Lakes are back in the biggest of ways with their latest EP Black Cat Music Vol 1. Leadman Nathan Gill shows that compared to previous releases, this release has more ‘symphony’. The band persist in indulging all the music excesses of classic seventies rock, with no acknowledgement of the four full decades that have since passed. Of course, this sort of enterprise is the purest of love affairs and each of these songs have been crafted with utmost care. Every guitar break, synth wig-out, some reverb and feedback coupled with vivid vocals is era perfect. This is the majesty of Rock, writ large.
Their latest EP, Black Cat Music Volume 1, begins a series of releases documenting where the band is now. The songs are about letting go after a long period of isolation and accepting what matters. The lyrics are written image-first, mostly set in the landscape of Canada’s northeast.
Hill stamps his mark on opening track “After the drifts” which clocks in at a just below three minutes and sees the band returning to their trademark sound and embracing a range of influences from classic rock. It is a fine start that forms the spine of the album.
In the second track “Noise of the Anvil”, all the members get a chance to shine as they cruise effortlessly through a smooth classic rocker that has more than a hint of Mark Knopfler. There are times when I am subtly but genuinely reminded of the vocal delivery of ‘Sultans of a swing’. In this EP there is a small amount of synth play, with some ping pong gimmickry and smart usage of its feedback to give a slight psychedelic aspect to their music.
“Jasmine and Flowers” sounds like a fun song judging from the title but has a small history with the band. This was apparently a special kind of tea that matters most to Nathan Gill. The song itself was something they had come up with in the past and forgotten about. “Jasmine and Flower” leans a bit closer to Joan Jett, reining in the psychedelia for the harder edges of indie rock. It then leaves the rest of the song up to abstract imagery wide open for interpretation.
The album ends with a slower and more melodic song “Feel Nothing”. I must argue that this is my favorite from this EP. It features charismatic vocals with impressive slide playing. It also finds the band in a relaxed mode, with more silky-smooth guitar work and those equally smooth harmonies. ‘Feel Nothing’ finds the band in relaxed mode with more silky-smooth guitar work and those equally smooth vocal harmonies. The song has an atmospheric sound right from the start. This keeps the story-line of this track going with a very haunting atmosphere that reminds me of the Doors.
Black Cat Music Volume 1 will almost certainly make your day. The band enlisted veteran producer Colin Bauchanan at Hill Sound Studio and mastering by Dan Weston. Black Cat Music Volume 1 comes highly recommended and creates anticipation for future Volumes!
Check out the EP here:
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