Reviews from Everything is Incomplete
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Album: Ian North, “Everything Is Incomplete” Ian North released his third album, “Everything is Incomplete,” on August 4, 2024. As soon as I dropped the metaphorical needle on the first track, I was hooked. Written, recorded and produced, unbeknownst to me, after Ian suffered a serious life-threatening illness, each song bears the gravitas and insight of a man who fully recognizes both personally and artistically how very precious life is. But there is no overt attempt to convince a listener of that or anything more, other than these shimmering examples of perception, subtle observation and penetrating character portraits. Something in the keen lyrical word play, or Ian’s elegiac vocals, or the rich imaginative production by the multi-instrumentalist Chris Gartner, all the parts culminate in a surprisingly thoughtful, moving and beautiful listening experience. Douglas McLean
A stunning return here for Canadian singer/songwriter Ian North. He makes what is called “fallen angel folk/ rock”, and that’s what Everything Is Incomplete is. It’s Simon & Garfunkel meet James Taylor; introspective, delicate and irresistible songs of hope and resilience. I like the way this guy thinks, and I love the way he tells his stories… this is touching me in profound ways.
John Kereiff, Gonzo Okanagan
After my first listen to Ian North’s gorgeous new album, “Everything is Incomplete,” released on August 4th, I was reminded of this quote from Canadian legend Glenn Gould: “The purpose of art is not the release of a momentary ejection of adrenalin but is, rather, the gradual, lifelong construction of a state of wonder and serenity.” How aptly these few words capture the achievement of Ian North’s songs and lyrics, in his long awaited third album and continuing exploration of fallen angel folk.
https://greatdarkwonder.com/review-ian-north-everything-is-incomplete/
After my first listen to Ian North’s gorgeous new album, “Everything is Incomplete,” released on August 4th, I was reminded of this quote from Canadian legend Glenn Gould: “The purpose of art is not the release of a momentary ejection of adrenalin but is, rather, the gradual, lifelong construction of a state of wonder and serenity.” How aptly these few words capture the achievement of Ian North’s songs and lyrics, in his long awaited third album and continuing exploration of fallen angel folk.
The twelve songs were written and compiled largely throughout a long two-year period of convalescence following Ian’s life altering health event, when he suffered a double-lung pulmonary embolism which caused his heart to stop three times over a two-hour period. Fortunately for us, the Ontario based folk-jazz guitarist has recovered sufficiently to record and perform these heart-rending, Americana flavoured, deeply reflective, nostalgia tinged and insightful portraits of times past, situational characters and universal questioning.
Following his acclaimed 2006 sophomore album, “Theory of Your Life,” which introduced audiences to North’s work followed by a major UK tour, “Everything is Incomplete” sails and soars through a rarified stratosphere before bringing us back down to earth. Both in its meticulously crafted compositions, North’s nuanced guitar overlays, and fully realised production by multi-instrumentalist Chris Gartner, every track offers surprising treasures.
North’s love for lyric and word play is evident throughout, offering tales of compelling complexity and mystery. In fact, it’s this sense of mystery that pervades each and every tune that makes the album such a gem. This is thoughtful, purposeful music meant to be listened to and received sincerely.
“There was lightning out across the lake / We were waiting for the heat to break / In the park that summer night / We were held like satellites / Just where weightlessness takes hold / For a second and then we fold / Back into gravity and rise / Again, toward the stormy skies / And we swing above the world so high / Go so fast but never say goodbye / With space and time conspiring / As we write the history of swings”
From “History of Swings,” one of the more memorable songs in this collection, North demonstrates his gifted acumen for poetry set to melody. Sung in a spiraling stacked harmony, it ascends as if toward some ethereal, fully realized understanding only to recognize that, like his love of crossword puzzles, elegiac inferences and metaphysical conundrums, everything is incomplete, everything is incomplete.
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Quirky troubadour Ian North is back from a hiatus with wry sense of humor and sharp eye for the man condition intact and new album Everything Is Incomplete. Leadoff single “China Moon” works well as an intro to the album as a whole, with North weaving delicate jazzy, folkish pop strands around his quirky, oft surreal lyrics and let the results fall where they may.
Consequently, the album is suffused with a cool as phuque insouciance that’s appealing to listeners across the board. Newbies get a heaping helping of the Northian musical skills on vocals, guitars and lap steel, plus his challenging and oft dazzling wordplay.
https://www.facebook.com/lenny.stoute
Just when you’re thinking that’s all there is to it he drops the sophisto jazzy worldbeat inflected “Dream Of Eden” or the shambling countrified punky rock of “Tumbledown” and you realise your thinking is well, incomplete, and you revel in the balls out confidence and exemplary execution of “Sonny Rollins Said”, featuring Ernie Toller’s superb soprano saxism.
Dude’s poetic skills get fully aired out on the introspective and thought provoking “Spider’s Web” with lines such as “Day by day and slow and slow, but how fast the summers pass,” a notion which accelerates as we grow older.Everything is Incomplete, North’s third album, dropped Sunday, August 4th, 2024, at Couchiching Craft Brewery in Orillia and reports indicate the packed out affair was killer. - Lenny Stoute
While the production sounds a little lo-fi the lyrics are fairly intense & the jazzy guitar that supports the light melody all adds up to an attractive listen. North does not economize his showcase instead he weaves some delicate music through some of his 3-syllable lyrics.
The lead-off track “Tumbledown,” is good because it doesn’t sound like anything you would hear today on commercial radio, yet it has that appeal.
Ian North
There is a little touch of avant-garde structure & some surrealism but it works well among the incipient coolness that Van Morrison would bring to his more cohesive early period. “China Moon” has this distinguished sound.
https://americanahighways.org/2024/08/06/review-ian-north-everything-is-incomplete/
Yet, at the same time, North’s word trickery is similar to the obscure (here, in America, but not in Italy) Indiana singer-songwriter Dirk Hamilton. Dirk used to twist words around into ambitious creative lines (“You Can Sing On the Right, Or Bark On the Left”). Hamilton has done this successfully since 1976 so he must be connecting with someone…that someone will love Ian North (vocals/guitars/lap steel) as well.Produced by Chris Gartner (bass/keys/programming/add’l vocals) & Ian there are 12 acoustic pop/jazzy folk polished tunes on everything is incomplete (Dropped August 4/Independent/50:32).
Ian, a Canadian is an award-winning artist who had taken a long hiatus but managed to sculpt this 3rd studio LP & take his place beside Hamilton, Morrison, Neil Young, Bruce Cockburn, David Gray & artists who always color outside of the margins.
Some songs even take side trips into areas where you might find late-career Sting. The steady beat & flirtation with a jazzy-world music approach rears its head in “Dream of Eden” which could also be a futuristic bend on Steely Dan or China Crisis. However, this is close to the work shaped by The Blue Nile with its atmospheric & moody blends. Very much so.
This is sophisticated stuff & though you could dance to it, it’s not dance music per se. It’s for listening…and listening again. The subtle sounds will not all be captured by the ear on a first pass. It’s not that it’s intricate, it just has so much sustenance. Maybe a little more prominent bass in places & would fill out the spirit of each piece. As far as the material & performance – a class act.Highlights – “Tumbledown,” “China Moon,” “Dream of Eden,” “We Build Houses,” “Everything Is Incomplete,” “Landscape Architect,” “Spider’s Web” & “Sonny Rollins Said.”Musicians – Lori Cullen (add’l vocals on 2 tracks) & Ernie Tollar (soprano sax on “Sonny Rollins Said”).Two tracks were co-produced with John Stuart Campbell. Included a nice stitched 16pp lyric insert. B&W image courtesy of Ian’s website. - John Apice
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Prolific Canadian singer-songwriter Ian North has carved a niche in the contemporary music scene with his distinctive “fallen angel folk-rock,” evocative lyrics, and soulful melodies. After a long hiatus, and a near-death experience, North has worked his way back to creating music. Hot on the heels of his widely acclaimed single “China Moon,” he’s releasing his third album Everything is Incomplete, on Sunday, August 4th, 2024, at Couchiching Craft Brewery,
Here at Canadian Beats Media, we had a chance to listen to Everything is Incomplete ahead of the release, and we’re stoked to give you a review of three of the tracks on the release.
https://canadianbeats.ca/2024/08/02/ian-north-everything-is-incomplete-album-review/
“China Moon” takes you to a mystical world where time stands still, dreams flourish, and beauty is eternal. The song’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of a land where “licorice sticks grow in the grass” and “a hundred-mile tree’s branches sail above the ground.” It’s a journey that captivates your imagination with every verse, leaving you mesmerized and enchanted.
“Thief” delves into the inner conflict of longing and restlessness. Lines like “I dreamed this world was a Ferris wheel and me going round and round” capture a sense of aimlessness. The singer is torn between staying for love and feeling called away, as expressed in “For your love I would stay, but one love calls me away.” The song reflects the struggle of balancing love and the desire for freedom.
“Spider’s Web” masterfully captures the essence of life’s endless cycles. The recurring line “Every day’s a spider’s web” echoes throughout the song, symbolizing the relentless nature of daily routines. The song also touches on the passage of time with lines like “Day by day and slow and slow, but how fast the summers pass,” capturing the tension between the slow growth of things and the rapid, almost imperceptible, shift of seasons.Overall, this album stands out for its lyrical depth and the way it captures the nuances of human experience. North’s introspective and poetic approach weaves together themes of personal struggle, resilience, and the beauty found in everyday moments. - Jenna Melanson
"Folk songsmith Ian North is receiving a positive response to his new album, Everything Is Incomplete. A video for the title cut is now out, and he plays an album release concert on Aug. 4 at Couchiching Craft Brewery in Orillia."
-Kerry Doole
https://ca.billboard.com/music/music-news/robbie-robertson-tribute-concert
Video for "Everything is Incomplete":
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"Ian North‘s ‘Tumbledown‘ reflects on non-tranquil moments – with the song title reflecting on both the physical status of a house live in, and a similar mental chaos. Canadian Ian North’s song is taken from his third album ‘Everything is Incomplete’ which is released on August 4th. It was recorded during North’s year-long stint in rehabilitation after suffering from a double-lung pulmonary embolism, which caused his heart to stop three times over a two-hour period. Thanks to the heroic efforts of emergency medical staff, North survived a week-long coma and a month’s worth of medical morphine-induced hallucinations. ‘Everything is Incomplete’ completes one thing, his wife’s wish that he would make another album, and her undying-love promise that she’d help him accomplish that." - Jonathan Aird
Reviews from Theory of Your Life
Brad Wheeler, Globe & Mail
"Since you ask, the theory of Ian North's life is that dying is easy, and comedy is hard. A sardonic quip on an absorbing disc, from the mouth of a Toronto troubadour who is both a skeptical singer-songwriter and a colourful tale-weaver. Don't believe him when he says that predictions are easy either. The future holds tricks: for a celebrity safe-swiper on the Ballad of Stephen Reid, and for a journeyman on the elegiac Leaving Buffalo. Ain't nothing as simple as it seems -- that is North's true best guess."
Exclaim Magazine
"Toronto songwriter Ian North’s inviting voice draws the listener in to his intricate narratives, which spin tales ranging from the mundane to the madcap. But from bank robberies in Vancouver to fistfights in a Buffalo trailer park, North keeps things on a remarkably even keel. Blending elements of country, folk, blues and jazz, North muses on the meaning of life, which ends up sounding a lot like home no matter where you’re from. With friends like Bob Wiseman on accordion, Paul Mathew from the Hidden Cameras on bass and cellist Don Kerr from the Rheostatics backing him up, the musicianship on Theory of Your Life is flawless. Subtle melodies combined with lyrics that deal with the frailties at the heart of humanity, make this a pleasurable follow-up to North’s 2002 debut."
Greg Quill, The Toronto Star
"Unusually vivid first-person narratives, both confessional and pure confection, are probably his strongest suit, but Toronto songwriter Ian North - born and raised in Ottawa - has spent several years in Vancouver - also has a strong and distinctive voice, and a penchant for clever chord changes that keep his odd melodies in a state of ungrounded suspension somewhere between acoustic pop and jazzy folk. With little more than acoustic guitars, an occasional piano, dobro, cello or accordion, drums, bass and the odd vocal harmony, North creates a richly musical context for his complex yarns ("The Ballad of Stephen Reid" is typical) and ruminations ("Leaving Buffalo," outstanding) on this, his second independent CD."
Maverick Magazine, UK
“Great collection of tunes from a very fine songwriter – a very strong CD that demands to be listened to”.
Guitarist Magazine, UK
"the tongue-twisting savvy in the lyrics of "Mighty Fall" would make Dylan proud, and decent backup and unfussy production help deliver the goods throughout.”
Rachel Sanders, Exclaim Magazine
"Toronto songwriter Ian North’s inviting voice draws the listener in to his intricate narratives, which spin tales ranging from the mundane to the madcap.…the musicianship on Theory of Your Life is flawless.”
Kerry Doole, Tandem
“The folk-rooted disc features such ace players as DON KERR, MICHAEL JOHNSTON and BOB WISEMAN, but North's eloquent songs and expressive voice are its core.”
Jessica Shulist, The Spill Magazine
“Ian North reminds me of home – the countryside, up north, closer to heaven and a lot further from distraction.”
Americana UK
“North’s clear clean vocals stay with you, as do his songs. He’s touring the UK in October & on the evidence here he’ll be worth catching”.
NetRhythms, UK
“Theory Or Your Life” is a comforting reassurance that the true songwriter still flourishes – A rare pleasure”.
Country Music Round-Up, UK
“The songs are superb & the performances first class.”
Deanna's Reviews, UK www.bonafidestudio.co.uk
This is North's follow-up album to his critically acclaimed debut CD "emptiful", "which gave us 12 well-written, well recorded and produced, melody-rich songs...Ian's music is a fusion of country, jazz and blues with deep, deep roots in traditional Canadian music and influences."
Jess Shulist, Spill Magazine
If W.B. Yeats took to song-writing, he would have produced something akin to Theory of Life. This album is one that you put on at the end of a stressful day when nothing makes sense, and slowly, North's melodic poetry lulls you back into clarity and peace of mind.