Jacksonville Beach, FL rockers, 14 North released their debut album, What Is This Feeling through Pavement Entertainment on February 21, 2020. The quartet take their name from the street in which they rehearsed in the early formation of their band. In 2018, the band entered the studio of Damian Starkey (Puddle of Mudd, Burn Season) to begin work on music that would appear on this debut record.
14 North can best be described as gritty and grungy modern hard rock. Their influences are Shinedown, Puddle of Mudd, and Foo Fighters. I can take it s step farther and say that I hear touches of bands like Three Days Grace and Josey Scott era Saliva.
Right from the first track, “Break”, you can tell that 14 North mean business and are here to rock you to your core. Big riffs, solid bottom end, and killer vocals, courtesy of singer Brandon Williams. Brandon has that really great combination of swagger and power in his singing that will always vatch your attention.
“Sun Burns Out” immediately confirms my theory on the Saliva influence. The track opens in a way similar to the Saliva classic, “Click, Click, BOOM!” Killer bass lines and chugging guitars paint the perfect background for Brandon (Williams) to lay down a more soulful angst ridden performance.
“Out of Control” is the lead off single from the album and you can check out the official video below.
Another solid track with a hypnotic beat and the vocals are little more on the aggressive side, especially in the chorus.
“Bleeding” downshifts things for a moment, yet the song remains brutally honest and retains all that emotion.
“Now I Rise” has to be the heaviest album on the track. It is also one of my absolute favorites. Everything just gels and molds well together. I will cranking this one up at the gym for sure.
“Drowning” in my opinion is the most melodic track album. Elements of Seether shine through while the band still manage to retain their own sound and identity.
“Hate Me” closes the album out and brings this post-grunge musical journey to a close. The chorus is fantastic and one of the best on the album. “Hate me, break me, never can erase me, when I’m under your skin!” Perfect way to close out the album.
The boys in 14 North have put out a solid release with What Is This Feeling? The emotion in this music is authentic and I think that if you are any kind of hard rock fan, that you should give these guys a chance.
Pick up a copy of What Is This Feeling.
Rating: 8/10 Stars
I’m Music Magazine Writer Jason “Supes” Mesa
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