At 18 tracks, Something Wicked is nothing if not ambitious. The debut by Chicago's North by North stretches out over two vinyl LPs and streams on the trio's BandCamp page.
Side one/LP one intro "Run" is futuristic doo-wop that sets the tone for what is to come: a postmodern jumbo of blues, garage rock, rockabilly, hard rock and swamp boogie.
Other side one/LP one highlights include the Jack White-worthy audio-noir "Her Name Was Vengeance" and "Blood & Glitter," which stands up nicely against Arctic Monkeys circa Favourite Worst Nightmare.
Side two/LP one kicks off with the catchy "Venomous Kid," but the standout cut for maximum impact is cock-rock stunner "Hex. X. O."
LP two begins with another short intro, the baroque pop number "Is This a Dream?," which segues nicely into the carnivalesque "The Matisse Eye." (this album side is where NXN goes psychedelic, really; see also "Marshall Hawthorne" and "Soft Soul").
LP two/side two opens with the title track and also features the hard-charging "Parts and Labor," the stoner-metal anthem "Eye of the Storm" and epic closer "The Terror."
Catch North by North live at Township tomorrow night!
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