Review: "Points North: Points North" - Sea of Tranquility - The Web Destination for Progressive Music!
Here we have the sophomore, self-titled Magna Carta release from the instrumental trio known as Points North, comprised of guitarist Eric Barnett , bassist Uriah Duffy, and drummer Kevin Aiello. If you were thrilled at their 2012 release Road Less Travelled, then I'm certain Points North is going to push all those same buttons for you. This is instrumental prog/rock/fusion not far removed from The Dixie Dregs, Steve Morse Band, Eric Johnson, or Joe Satriani, filled with memorable melodies, soaring guitar lines, intricate arrangements, and locked in grooves. Barnett is a wonderful player, and it's no surprise all the guitar magazine accolades he's been receiving in recent years as evident by the wealth of sizzling licks, solos, and riffs heard throughout this album. Tunes such as "Rites of Passage", "Northstar", and "Child's Play" draw that fine line between majesty, power, and passion, as gorgeous melodies tug at the listener's soul while the jaw dropping virtuosity of the three players mesmerizes the senses. "Colorblind" is a raunchy hard rocker, "Harlequin" a mix of prog, folk, and jazz for all the roots rockers out there, "Turning Point" reminds of prog heavyweights Rush, while "Foxes & Cougars" combines '70s styled heavy rock with shredding guitar & bass lines for a match that can't be missed. For out and out 'locked & loaded guitar rock' check out the scorching "Killer Pounder", easily one of the heaviest tracks here and a real workout for the entire band.
Once you get done with Points North you'll have to take a breather, rest up a bit, 'cause you'll want to relive this one again and again and allow these dazzling arrangements to get your ticker working overtime and your blood pumping at insane levels. This is a hot one folks!