North Twin is just enough truth hidden in a pack of dirty, rotten lies to make you feel like you've been someplace.
Maverick UK Review
North Twin
Stronger at the Broken Places
Good and Dirty Music NOR002
*****
AH
Seattle band put the RAWK back into Country with their Tip Top Growling Dirty Bar-room Music
As soon as Tony Fulgham began singing, ‘I wonder how I do it/keep my head in the clouds/sleeping the sleep of the dead’, I instantly knew that I was going to love North Twin (daft name!) and their second album STRONGER AT THE BROKEN PLACES.
That opening track, Hope it goes away will surely become one of those songs guys argue about in pubs when they create lists of things like ‘great opening tracks’. It really is that good.
Second track Wreck is exactly what it says on the tin; a song about a guy who is a Wreck and stuck in the middle of a Wreck of a relationship. All sung to the backing of some very Lowell Georgesque guitar playing from Tim DiJulio.
North Twin then takes us on a trawl through tales of fighting, fussing, drinking and loving.
Roll on, Do What You Gotta Do and Loaded all stand out like flaming beacons in the dark forest that is popular music and must be listened to every day for the rest of time.
The album ends with a beautiful acoustic song, Black River which looks back on the life of a man who had ‘killed a man by twenty and was dead by sixty three’. If Mr Cash was still alive today I’m sure Black River would appear on his next album.
Some of their imagery will send a shiver down your spine, ‘I’m bleeding from my good eye/at least I still got one that sees’ – and that’s from the love song Fool! Some will bring a tear to your eye, ‘Water under the bridge/too many drinks and too many long nights/some things just aren’t meant to last’ from I remember you and others will just leave you feeling a slightly better person.
There are many, many influences here – Waco Brothers, Dale Watson, Drive By Truckers, Tom Waits, Allman Brothers, Little Feet, Creedence and even Waylon Jennings; but overall the amazing voice of Tony Fulgham and the sublime guitar playing of Tim DiJulio only ever sound like North Twin.
If you like your Country music a little bit dirty and a little bit dangerous you’ll love North Twin and STRONGER AT THE BROKEN PLACES.
North Twin "Stronger at the Broken Places" (Independent 2009)
AMERICANA UK
North Twin’s second release "Stronger at the Broken Places" was written and recorded under the shadow of Rebecca Young’s (bass, vocals) diagnosis with breast cancer. As a result many of the songs reflect ‘fear of death’ and ‘fear of love’. Surprisingly this is an edgy and vigorous record full of songs from the top draw of country rock. The influences from The Byrds (Sweetheart of the Rodeo) era, Ozarks & The Marshall Tucker Band are here plus more contemporary acts such as Reckless Kelly and Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash. In the last year or so the band have supported The Bottle Rockets, Son Volt & The Drams. Musically and lyrically there is nothing innovative here but there is much to enjoy even if they are travelling a well-worn path.
The four-piece band consists of main songwriter Tony Fulgham (guitar & vocals), Rebecca Young, Tim DiJulio (guitar & vocals) plus Rick Cranford on drums. Various additional musicians add piano, organ, accordion and most notably Billy Joe Huels trumpet on "Clear As Day" where this and guitar trade licks. The band is at home with straight ahead country rock on songs "Going Down" or more contemplative songs such as "I Remember You" and the closing song "Black River".
Country rock never sounded so good…recommended.
Date review added: Saturday, November 22, 2008
Reviewer: andy riggs
Reviewers Rating: 8 out of 10
North Twin - Stronger At The Broken Places [Album Review]
by WOODY on HearYa.com JANUARY 6, 2009
A couple of times a year we come across a release that, in addition to the music, has a back story that makes the HearYa staff pull a little bit more for the band. Three days into the recording of their prior album, North Twin bassist/vocalist Rebecca Young was diagnosed with breast cancer. She never missed a beat and met the disease straight on, barely missing any studio time. I am sure we’ve all known someone afflicted by this horrible disease and its always inspiring to read about someone with Rebecca’s fight and resolve.
Inspirational story aside, we wouldn’t posting anything about the Seattle quartet if the music didn’t deliver. The first song, “Hope It All Goes Away,” is a beautiful poignant tune that hits you between the eyes after you hear of Young’s battle. Lead singer Tony Fulgham’s voice does a fantastic job of filling the tune with a perfect amount of emotion to deliver the goods.
“Clear As Day” has a little bit more outlaw alt-country in it, telling the tale of a man who’s made some questionable choices in his life. It peaks with a blistering guitar/trumpet solo that really kicks you in the ass.
Stronger At The Broken Places is a fresh piece of alt-country with a great back story. North Twin are also looking for gigs at SXSW 2009 so if anybody is interested, shoot us an email at hearyablog@yahoo.com and we’ll put you in touch with the band.
