Somewhere along the road of life, you stumble upon something that will make a deep and lasting impression on your heart. It is rare for a complete collection of compositions to make such a deep impact. Each song crafted beautifully like an exotic piece of wood, the music’s warmth can only be explained by tears and described with an honest smile.
The music inside of Great Northern’s newest release, Remind Me Where the Light Is has proven to be a truly, precious gem found during my travels. As a whole, it shines like a wonderful goldmine of sound and feeling. You will fall hopelessly in love with the vocals, lyrics and creative brilliance of Rachel Stolte and Solon Bixler in a single breath. Beware, because as you listen, that breath will soon be taken away.
The leading track, “Story,” begins with a heart-pounding flare of darkness and emotion, which swiftly swims to the top of a brilliantly hooky and memorable song. It takes elements of multiple genres, mixes them intelligently and rockets you into the future while remembering a glorious past of classic influence. “Houses” is a hauntingly beautiful dance of vocals and tone surrounded by a swirl of anger, sadness and wonder. It’s mystery takes your emotions for a roller coaster ride of hope and regret. This addictive listen will make your heart ache but lust for more as it’s flawless texture covers you with feelings you’ve never felt before.
When “Fingers” begins to flow, you will feel how the lyric “transform my heart into melody” could not be more appropriate for this piece. A shimmering tune that slowly transforms vocally and instrumentally as it moves forward through the air, builds gracefully and envelops your ears with haunting glory. “Snakes” is a shuffling ride, which contains wonderful guitar tones, smart piano, and sharp keyboard accents. The vocals dance with elegance over a terrific body of music that is full of depth and light. This tune is as crisp as any classic of our past and is a very pleasant listening experience.
Dominated by the vocal tones of Bixler, “Stop” is simple at its birth, but grows into a beautiful, radiant flower. Desperate, sad, but spiritual, it’s emotion rains down slowly infecting your heart with soul and solitude. “New Tricks” is a chanting, dream filled with dark and spacious vocals and texture. Again, Stolte and Bixler master the art of taking the heart hostage. It drapes over you like a warm blanket but still leaves you with a worried heart at its conclusion. In the epic “Mountain,” Rachel stands like a hero delivering a masterpiece of vocal and lyric. It will easily bring you to tears at your first sampling if you let its sweetness into your heart. There is so much strength and power, you are unable to listen just once.
Bixler is the focus again on both “Warning” and “Driveway” as he delivers a vocal of desperation, sadness in a way that is not only believable, but also lasting. His desperate plea reaches out as he staggers but is quickly held steady by Stolte. Both are well crafted, strong and full of expression. “Numbers” is another pulsating piece that floats gracefully on top of a strong foundation of drums and guitar never letting you forget the emotional lines being drawn. The mood is absolutely stunning. “33” ends the album perfectly with it’s Beatle-flavored tone and spirit. The overall feeling makes it a perfect goodbye for this release. A true album of work, which will attach to many a heart for years to come. It has already captured mine.
"Remind Me Where the Light Is" is on sale April 28, 2009 from Eenie Meenie.
