Track Listing

1. Welcome To The North
2. Freedom Fighters
3. Bleed From Within
4. Breakin
5. Cessation
6. Fight The Feeling
7. Guide
8. Into The Night
9. I Need Love
10. One Way In, No Way Out
11. Open Your Mind
12. The Walls Get Smaller (hidden track)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23556 in Music
• Released on: 2004-09-20
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
The Music are nothing if not confounding. Their second album, Welcome to the North would, based on its title alone, suggest that this quartet wear their Northerness on their sleeve. But rather than producing yet another tired Oasis or Stone Roses pastiche, the Music decamped to the distinctly un-Northern town of Atlanta, Georgia to work with renowned rock producer Brendan O'Brien (best known for working with Pearl Jam and Soundgarden). The results are thrilling--an over-the-top, bombastic album that often manages to combine the rock power of Led Zeppelin with the epic psychedelia of Jane's Addiction (helped by frontman Robert Harvey's vocal similarities to Perry Farrell and drummer Phil Jordan's breakneck drumming, reminiscent of Stephen Perkins). And though the lyrics occasionally venture into pretension (really, who says "mine eyes" anymore?), they're made forgivable by the power of tracks like "Freedom Fighters" and "Bleed from Within" (which even boasts a drum solo). In fact, the only outright homage to their Northern indie heritage is "I Need Love", with a danceable, New Order-esque bassline that drives the whole thing along. But generally, they stick to their guns instead of their roots, making Welcome to the North a great rock album. --Robert Burrow

From the Label
Welcome to the North is the next instalment from The Music. Following on from their self titled debut album, which gave the world the crunching guitar hits 'Take the Long Road', 'The People' and 'Getaway', the new album from the boys retains the bands rock charm but is enhanced by the production talents of Brendan O'Brien. Leading the charge from the album is the single 'Freedom Fighters', which sees The Music at their truly magnificent best, with a legendary rock guitar crunch, which rings out to a riff that guitar greats would be proud of, topped off with a searing vocal performance.

CD Description
'Welcome To The North' is the second album from UK four piece The Music. Produced by Brendan O'Brien (Rage Against The Machine, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam) the album sees the boys continue with their distictive mix of seventies inspired rock mixed with the early nineties 'Madchester' indie/dance crossover sound. The download only single 'Welcome To The North' is also included.

Customer Reviews

A definite progresson
Opinion seems to be varied on this new offering by Leeds' The Music. Not whether it is good or not - pretty much everyone is united in the viewpoint that it is a stonking mash of rocking guitar, breakneck drumming & dance-able rhythms - but whether or not it is better than their debut offering. In my humble opinion, it knocks the socks off its predecessor. Not because it is harder, not because it is more accessable (which it is, by the way), but simply because it is more consistent. It is hard to single out any track as being duff on here, and it stands up to repeated listening.
There are less of the (I know, everyone mentions this) Led Zep-like ramblings, and tracks have more direction about them. Of course, the better production present here might not be to everyones tastes - many were disappointed with the eponymous debut because it was too polished, it lacked the raw edge of their live performances. This is a bit of a mute point though, when the songs are just so damn good. Anyone who has heard the latest single "Freedom Fighters" will know exactly what is in store here.
In fairness, I think it has lost a little of the dance edge that their first album had. Whether this is a good thing or not, I will leave up to you. It made little difference to me. One area it falls down in is the fact there is nothing here that can match "The Truth Is No Words". Considering what a blinding track that is though, it's no great surprise. The likes of "Welcome To The North" and "Cessation" come damn close mind you.
All in all, the so called 'difficult' 2nd album has proved to be a doddle - The Music have laid a trump card, a juggernaut of a record that deserves your attention. Scrap that, it DEMANDS your attention.
Stuff Manchester, the party is kicking off in Leeds. See you there, baggy trousers and all.

Welcome to The Music
Having purchased their first album back in 2003 after seeing them live, i have eagerly waited for this album to be released.

I was hoping that their songs would be of similar standard to 'Getaway' and 'The People' which in my opinion are the stand out tracks of their first self titled album. I was wrong though as some of the songs on this album surpass their previous work.

The first track 'Welcome to the north' introduces you to the silky guitar riffs that dominate. Other stand out tracks include the single 'Freedom Fighters', 'Open your Mind' and 'Cessation'. I have to say the drumming on this album is top notch.

If you are fans of Robert Harvey's voice and rock music in general then this album is a MUST!

Awesome new band
I first listened to "Breakin" because my brother told me the singer sounded like Geddy Lee. Then I bought the cd and it's unbelievable. Very rock influenced, but also very progressive. The guy's voice is incredibly high, the drums are awesome, and the guitar work is rocking. Solid musicians. The songs are great and complex too. I notice a good amount of U2 influence in many of the songs. And, my brother was right: this guy has a sick voice! Has a touch of Geddy Lee when he screams high.
With the exception of Cessation, all the songs are nearly perfect. My favorites are Into The Night, I Need Love, Bleed From Within, and Open Your Mind. Personally, I think the second half exceeds the first half in quality, but the entire album as a whole is a 10. This band is young and has a LOT of potential. I haven't heard their first album, so I cannot say anything about it, but if you want to hear awesome new music, GET THIS ALBUM.