Four-piece Chicago-based band, Halfwaynorth offers three strong rock tracks on their EP, Ghost Shuffle. Self taught and recorded in their home studio, the band describes themselves as “face-melting rock ‘n’ roll.” While this statement is debatable, Halfwaynorth do present radio friendly pop-rock, bringing to mind bands like the Wallflowers and even early Beatles with their vocals and rock sensibility. Though just three tracks, Ghost Shuffle, is a taste of what’s to come from the Chicago band.
Their bio confidently states, “We are the sister-wife of Travis, Wilco, and the Wallflowers – all devoted to our loving husband, Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Take the quote as you will, Halfwaynorth aren’t too far off point. While at certain moments their EP recalls early Wallflowers, it is certain that their songs do provide “enough of a cerebral twist to annoy Top-40 junkies,” as mentioned in their EPK.
“Back to the Uhh” kicks the EP off with gritty electric guitar and percussion beats. Despite the song’s peculiar title, Halfwaynorth sings of wanting to “stand for something” and going back to their roots. While the electric guitar interlude switches gears for 30 seconds or so, the musical accompaniment offers little to no variation throughout the two-and-a-half minute track. At times, front man Jason Abraham’s vocals fall stagnant and repetitive. Not the strongest track to start out Ghost Shuffle; perhaps if placed in the middle of the EP the listener would be more forgiving.
Next track, “I Call Your Name” showcases a darker sound for the band despite the energetic guitar interlude. With heavier bass beats and deeper vocals by Abraham, one would never imagine the song as a love anthem. “Do you understand that I’ll do anything for us and the truth/I’d crawl to you in white, hot sand/I’d fall for you just to hold your hand” he sings. Sounding like an entirely different band, Halfwaynorth impress on “I Call Your Name.” The musical accompaniment fits well with Abraham’s vocals, never overpowering or losing intensity.
“Powerlines” is a softer track and the listener soon realizes the powerful emotion displayed throughout the song from the slow opening of the electric guitar feature. With striking musical resemblance to the Beatles’ 1965 single, “Nowhere Man,” Abraham sings with passion. “All my life I’m making up for wasted time/I’m writing us outside the lines/And I wanted to walk through fire/Embrace in the pouring rain/Intertwine in the wind we’ve confided/To hug the ground where our hearts lay.”
A nice transition from previous tracks, Halfwaynorth proves their versatility and willingness to try something new. While “Back to the Uhh” and “I Call Your Name” seemed to try too hard to fit into the rock and radio friendly format, “Powerlines” sounds more authentic to the listener. Where “Back to the Uhh” lost the listener with its predictability, “I Call Your Name” and “Powerlines” offer something refreshing and new. An impressive release for a band that prides themselves in DIY home studio recording, one can only wonder what a full length album for Halfwaynorth would sound like.
Review by Annie Reuter
