Out of Phase - North Elementary

Out of Phase is one of those CDs you can play repeatedly without getting a firm grip on where the band is coming from. There is fair anthemic punk-pop on some tracks, like the opening "Best Things," but more meditative and fairly melodic, atmospheric indie pop on much of the rest, sometimes with odd and inventive noises and textures. Margaret White's occasional violin and vocals add a nice contrast to chief singer/songwriter John Harrison's likable, humble voice and songs. There's no set groove to the tracks, with "C Around U" verging on quirky country-rock; "Future Farms" bearing ingratiating light power pop with high vocals; "Departure," with White's vocals to the front, projecting a kind of laid-back twilight folky glow, albeit with electronic percussion; and "Parachute Away" featuring lonesome violin and harmonica in tandem with crunching gloomy electric guitar chords and squeals. It's more moody than upbeat, but not too self-absorbed; it's built around relatively conventional pop/rock singer/songwriting, but with some experimental ambition to the sonic blends. While not terribly exciting or impressive, it also makes for respectably varied, pleasant, and intelligent listening. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide