Most bands that are signed to No Idea Records have a sound that's usually expected from them. That, of course, being raw punk rock with gruff vocals and catchy melodies. North Lincoln are another band to add to that long list as they fit into this style almost perfectly. This album has been in the making since 2007 but recording setbacks have delayed it's release until this year. How exactly do they stand out among the No Idea roster, though? Well...they don't, at least not yet.
With North Lincoln's album Midwestern Blood, I see a lot of potential here. They have a really nice sound going with the raw production, driving guitars and rough vocals that are a little too similar to Chuck Ragan but I feel that it's all a bit unoriginal. This isn't to say that they're Hot Water Music rip-offs, because the only thing really similar are the vocals and the bass playing, but the whole "Midwestern punk" sound has gotten pretty huge during this decade and I think we're at the point where some bands need to start doing something a little more innovative if they want to be around for the long run. North Lincoln does do a few things differently than a lot of other contemporary bands, but they aren't exactly the next big thing.
With that being said, for what they do, North Lincoln are a solid band. Most of their songs go at a relatively mid-paced tempo and then reach a climax where they shine the most, which in most cases, is the chorus. "Siblings" is a good example of this technique and the female vocals added to the ending are also a nice touch. The song has a nice introduction and then explodes into a fast-paced punk track with some fantastic vocal melodies. "Weight of the World" also makes use of this technique with aide of a horn section in it's chorus. The faster cuts like "Leveling" and "Bridge Jumpers" are also very enjoyable and the former features some great guitar work. North Lincoln's songwriting isn't to be forgotten, either. Their lyrics are somewhat brief but well-written. The closing track, "Siblings" features some of the best as it details growing up with a sibling and going through the many changes in life that a lot can relate to.
Like I said earlier, North Lincoln have a lot of potential within them and they can be something great with their second or third album but for right now, they don't distance themselves that much from the bigger names on the No Idea roster. Midwestern Blood is an enjoyable album that shows promise for this young band and I think they can become one of those big names on No Idea if they make their songs a bit more memorable and versatile.
