Hello Reader,
Welcome back.
Full disclosure: I’m a long-time fan of the Michigan based band Frontier Ruckus. I listened to all of their albums in the late 2000s up until the mid 2010s. I was a big admirer of Matthew Milia’s ability to tell stories and lyrics about existing in the Midwest but specific to a generation as well. I loved how well that David W. Jones could play a banjo, and how great the rest of the band sounded. Unsurprisingly, I owned all of their albums from that late 00s and mid 2010s time period on vinyl as well. Each one sounded great on the turntable coming out of my speakers paired with my receiver. That being said, the following album review is made with objectivity.
A look into their discography reveals the albums: The Orion Songbook (2008), Deadmalls and Nightfalls (2010), Eternity of Dimming (2013), Sitcom Afterlife (2014), Enter the Kingdom (2017) and the EPs: I Am the Water You Are Pumping (2007), Way Upstate and the Crippled Summer, pt 1 (2009) and Way Upstate and the Crippled Summer, pt 2 (2011). All of which received critical appreciation ranging from positive reviews to praise to acclaim.
And now for your listening pleasure, Frontier Ruckus has released its first album in seven years on February 16th via the Loose Music record label titled, On the Northline. This album is a 12-song nearly 50-minute offering. Frontier Ruckus’ current lineup is co-founding members Matthew Milia on lead vocals, guitars, harmonica, mandolin, backing vocals, and songwriter and David W. Jones on banjo, and vocals, and long-time band member Zachary Nichols on trumpet, musical saw, melodica, air organ, and songwriter “Wherefore.”
Additional musicians on On the Northline album are Connor Dodson on drums, tambourine, shaker, Evan Eklund on bass guitar and vocals, and Pete Ballard on pedal steel guitar, and Ben Collins on mandolin, and bass guitar.
And now for some hype for your ears!
The album title tune that has a catchy refrain and reflective questioning lyrics and features 70s and 80s Milia family photos, “On the Northline”:
(All credits and rights to Frontier Ruckus)
A slideshow of small-town living set in the foreground while the lovely “Clarkston Pasture” is played:
With the still image of a decades old photograph that is also from the lead singer’s family as the song “I’m Not the Boy” plays:
(All credits and rights to Frontier Ruckus)
Overall, On the Northline shows that Frontier Ruckus is still in top notch form. Their musical talent is still evident as ever amongst the main players present: the banjo, the drums, trumpet. Milia’s vocals are delivered perfectly and pair well with the constructed melodies. The lyrics are what you’ve come to expect from Milia over the years. He remains a gifted lyricist, painting vivid pictures on multiple songs. It’s nice to see Nichols’ construct and arrange a melody on the last song as well. Themes within the album include but are not limited to time and reflection, relationships, Michigan specific/and more broadly universal Midwest living and its redundancies and relatabilities.
The opening song, “Swore I Had a Friend” features a strong melody of prominent banjo, brass, drums, with trumpet and an eerie sound created by a musical saw. The lyrics are despondent in nature and tell a story about an acquaintance that used to be in the vocalists life.
In “Everywhere but beside You” the melody is carried by banjo and steady drumbeat. The lyrics describe looking back at a past relationship, struggling to move forward.
“Magdalene (That’s Not Your Name)” has lyrics that look back on a past relationship. Again, this melody is enhanced by banjo by Jones. It’s a song that finally has a home on an album after being performed for several years prior.
The title song “On the Northline” features the impassioned and catchy refrain of the song title, paired with lyrics set in the present yet examining points in the past. Milia’s more straightforward vocal deliveries stand out as they contrast well with the impassioned delivery of the refrain.
In “Mercury Sable,” Milia’s lyrics paint a scene that transports you to that place, and you become empathetic, sharing his feelings. In terms of melody, the drums are consistent and both the banjo and trumpet flourish.
“Clarkston Pasture” tells a story about driving, recalling memories in the Winter season. Assessing said memories. A very minimalist banjo, drum driven melody that allows Milia’s vocals to shine.
“In the Money” showcases some fantastic solos by the musical saw and banjo. The lyrics revolve around money. Memories of particular moments that the Milia still recalls. And a belief that other person will reappear if he has more money in the future.
The eighth song on On the Northline, “Bloomfield Marriott” puts the listener in the present day but the lyrics are concurrently reflective back to both high school age and also marriage.
The next song, “First Song for Lauren” features a melody built on acoustic guitar. The lyrics show doubt, and fear of failure. There’s some anxiety but optimism.
In “The Machines of Summer,” musician Pete Ballard shines on pedal steel guitar. As does Nichols on musical saw creating a breeze like sound. The lyrics yearn for what sounds like an unrequited relationship.
“I’m Not the Boy” has Milia delivering vocals at his quickest pace on the album, paired with guitar and drums and some organ. The lyrics tell of lust and eagerness of youthful infatuation. And perhaps acceptance.
“Wherefore” is the song that Nichols wrote and while it features no lyrics, it is beautifully arranged. A melody of multiple instruments including banjo, drums, trumpet and mandolin.
On the Northline gets 4.5 out of 5 Scum Drops from me. It is an excellent album. While listening and exploring more, I went back and forth between 4 and 4.5 Scum Drops. Ultimately the album falls in the lower part of the 4.5 range for me. The vocals are excellent, and Milia’s lyrics are better than most artists in present day but also not too abstract. They set a scene and paint a picture you can relate to. The melodies are outstanding. On the Northline is worth purchasing on any format. Add it to your collection! And if you like this album, explore their discography.
On the Northline Track listing [song length]
- Swore I Had a Friend [6:01]
- Everywhere but beside You [3:20]
- Magdalene (That’s Not Your Name) [3:19]
- On the Northline [3:39]
- Mercury Sable [5:56]
- Clarkston Pasture [3:46]
- In the Money [3:48]
- Bloomfield Marriott [4:20]
- First Song for Lauren [1:53]
- The Machines of Summer [2:19]
- I’m Not the Boy [4:46]
- Wherefore [4:40]
Total runtime: 48:49
I’ll always advocate that you take the time to listen to every album in its entirety. This process is usually an hour or less from start to finish. Along the way, you’ll discover your own favorite songs without the influence or bias of others. After a few listens on my own, the songs that are highlighted in green font above are my favorite songs on the album.
A good place to start getting to know the band better is their website here.
Thank you for reading and supporting good music.
Until next time,
Alex
Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site, scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions and SWT Interviews. And all of our socials.
Questions, feedback, or more? Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com
