It’s hard not to think of noodly late-eighties indie rock when listening to Northern Liberties — but on this particular 7″, the band makes a notable change to the unofficial indie rock credo, completely dropping the guitar from both of these tracks. The result is a rhythm-heavy trio that cross-breeds DC hardcore with Touch & Go faves like GVSB and The Jesus Lizard.
“Easter Island” has a tense start, with strummed bass chords and fiery percussion that eventually give way to a droning rhythm and reverb-drenched vox. Listening to “Easter Island” is like dropping in and out of a cough syrup-induced sleepiness: you may do your best to remain conscious through the hypnotic whirr, but you’ll only be resuscitated for a brief taste of reality when the cavernous howling vocals break across the beats. There’s even a false ending here, full of tinkling percussion that simply isn’t necessary.

Skittish drum beats and a simplistic bass line begin “Chromosomatic”; the four-string alternates between pulsing low-end and trebly chorus-complementing phrases. Vocalist Justin may be on the flat side, but he gives it all he’s got, letting loose a controlled eruption of gasps, shrieks and slurred phrases that command your attention. It’s melodic without ever resorting to rehashed pop ideas. The cryptic lyrics still leave me wondering what the hell the tune’s about, but the music is so intoxicating that you’ll soon be jamming along, regardless of the deeper meaning. The more I listen, the more I like it.

I’m not sure how well an entire rhythm-heavy CD of these sorts of songs would fare, but this brief introduction is intriguing. Sick of guitar? Try Northern Liberties’ take on indie rock and see what this trio can accomplish without the evils of six-string slinging.

— Andrew Magilow

2 tracks. Low – fi and gothy, the first track scared me. It sounded like a hillbilly version of Love And Rockets, dressed up as vampires, hunting down little kids. The song on side B has a more forward rock feel, but there’s still too much reverb on the vocals and the recording overall is pretty abysmal. I guess this is cool, if you like to chase bats with your truck.

— Marianne Hofstetter :: Heartattack # 41

Northern Liberties recently blew me away with their “Erode and Disappear” album and I’m really glad to finally be reviewing this one. This 7″ continues the sound they were going for on the full-length which was a mix of heavy riff-rock, alt/punk and Butthole Surfers style weirdness. On this release you get two new songs that are all out ass kickers. Once again they deliver powerful songs without a guitar anywhere in sight. I’ve actually heard a few people say negative things about these guys because there isn’t any guitar in the band but don’t listen to any of that, because these guys are tight musicians and manage to create a full sound with only bass, drums and vocals. The bass playing on this 7″ is truly unique delivering fluid, powerful riffs that are catchy and deep giving the sound a heavy, rhythmic backbone. Side A features the epic track, “Easter Island” which switches from quiet moments to thundering, riff driven assaults with those sung/shouted/spoken vocals right up front. Side B contains “Chromosomatic” which is drastically different from “Easter Island”. This song is a mix between dirty rock and roll and catchy alt/punk sounds and it’s areal rocker for certain. All in all, this is another fine release by Northern Liberties that makes me excited to see what they come up with next. If you dug the full-length, then definitely give this 7″ a listen. These guys are a truly unique band that deserve more attention, so check them out damn it!

— JS

This two song 7″ was supposedly recorded on Easter day in 2003, but that might just be a gimmick the band came up with. Three years under the Bush administration make it hard to believe most anything you hear these days… Either way, the two tracks on this record are pretty good. Dark and impulsive post punk insired by bands like Joy Division. “Easter Island” is slow and beefy while “Chromosomatic” is a little more upbeat. Well worth checking out.

— Mike Haley :: Heart Attack #42

“Easter Island” (side A) is slow, dark, morbid, “goth-metal”. The vocals and lyrics are ominous, though as usual in much of the newer rock, I only knew them because they’re printed on the back of the cover. “Chromosomatic” (side B) is a bit faster and just a shade or two more “upbeat”, relatively speaking, though with the same scare imagery – “cloud(s) of razors, painful wounds, nameless sins…” Here and there are some “off-key” notes, but as I noted in my last review of his music, I guess that’s just the style Justin’s aiming for. Very nicely packaged in a cover featuring Justin’s own art & design, this disc was a really cool translucent orange-yellow. Mine was 5 of 500. I’m honored!

— James N. Dawson, Xeens And Things, #17