Northern Chorus, Twilight Sad preview

A Northern Chorus, The Twilight Sad
Subterranean, Chicago
Monday, April 9, 2007

What once was three is now only two: Scotland band Aereogramme were originally suppose to headline this tour, but visa issues delayed their arrival. Now they just hope to rejoin the tour by the April 13th gig in Seattle. So if you arrive up at Subterranean eager to see Aereogramme, prepare for disappointment.

A Northern Chorus and The Twilight Sad hope you’ll stick around anyway, though, because they decided to honor the first-half tour dates without the headliners. Both, after all, are supporting new records. On Northern Chorus’ *The Millions Too Many* (Sonic Unyon) the Canadian group do something slightly out of the ordinary: They expand their lineup but compress their sound. Prior ANC records (2003’s Spirit Flags and 2005’s Bitter Hands Resign) were defined by long songs and sprawling arrangements, but with The Millions the group only venture past five minutes twice (“The Canadian Shield” and “Victory Parade”) despite the addition of violinist Erin Aurich (her second go-round with the group) and drummer Craig Halliday as well as studio help from one-man horn section, Ben Bowen. The results seem to be just what they were aiming for — shorter, more concise arrangements that better suite their shimmering indie pop.

If it’s a Scottish fix you’re looking for, you’ll be pleased to know The Twilight Sad hail from Glasgow. Their full-length debut, Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters (Fat Cat), is surprisingly mature for a band who have only been together three measly years. Comparisons to acts like Interpol and other Joy Division-influenced indie rock groups have been made and are warranted, and though Twilight offer little out of the ordinary on Fourteen Autumns, vocalist James Graham’s lyrics and smothering accent are enough to keep your attention.

— Trevor Fisher

Click here to download A Northern Chorus’ “The Millions Too Many.”

Click here for samples of The Twilight Sad’s Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters.

Category: Stage Buzz, Weekly