Front Porch Musings

Wow! Dawes, debut album, North Hills. Absolutely Perfect! I don’t think I have been blown away by a debut since JTEs The Good Life. Yes, two different style of albums but same first-time punch. North Hills is an album I have been yearning for a long time; which is very simple melodic tunes that can be thrown on a Greatest Hits album from The Band and you wouldn’t know the difference. Lets take The Band for example. they had a recipe of simple melodies, meaningful songwriting, and catchy harmonies. Yes, very simple, but very daunting for a band to stick with on an entire album. Dawes’ North Hills is nothing short of this recipe, which gives the listener a strong 11-track album from start to finish. I don’t want to discredit the band by saying the album is completely “safe” but the pace of the album never changes. It sits comfortably in cruise control, which would make any new listener happy.

The album starts off nicely with “The Western Skyline” which couldn’t have been a better track to showcase Taylor Goldsmiths soothing vocals and signature musical style.  But up until track 3, “When You Call My Name” is where I finally came to conclusion these guys are a modern day The Band. The song is packed with ‘The Band’ esque melody, paired harmonies, and a rhythmic piano to drive the song. However, the one stand out track for me is “When My Time Comes” which has a reminiscing sound of modern day bands such as Delta Spirit or Pedro The Lion.  Cleary making it apparent these guys are a marketing masterpiece for a guy like myself and my Old Man.

 I couldn’t be more excited to find this band. Just recently I was contemplating on whether or not I would be attending the Langhorne Slim tour. Well, with Dawes as their supporting act I am sure the Front Porch team will be right up in front of the stage with a whiskey in hand saluting to their future success. They guys have surpassed any expectations on North Hills and I look forward to seeing them grow.  Hell, with about 3 months left in the year, I might even go on a limb and say this could be my favorite album of the year….woah!!

 Enjoy,

 -Keith

The Western Skyline

When You Call My Name

When My Time Comes