3 out of 5

Label: Independiente

Produced by: Roddy Frame, Simon Dawson

Coming a few years after the powerhouse (by my opinion) Frestonia, The North Star appears without the Aztec Camera moniker, and instead under the artist’s own name.  As AC had essentially operated as Frame’s own output after their debut, you could suggest that the title change is irrelevant, but that very mindset would seem to be what limits The North Star – which is a great, but lightweight album – versus Frame’s later stuff released under his name, which is very clearly that of a solo artist and not a group.  Frestonia’s grandeur and masterful wielding of Frame’s lyrical bouncing between light and dark concepts might’ve actually been more fitting as a ‘Roddy Frame’ album, and perhaps that triggered the thought to offer up something a bit more simple and straightforward for The North Star.  All of these songs are pretty fantastically catchy, and there’s a nice range of guitar styles and a big, bright, backing band sound, lyrically it’s just playing things pretty safe – love songs, life is good songs – and that catchiness is very clean cut.  While I do think there’s still a difference here between this and Aztec Camera releases, it’s only because The North Star is lacking some of the conviction that’s fueled even those AC albums which have been less well received (i.e. Love, which I actually like…); Frestonia had something of a humdrum critical reception as well, and maybe there’s something to that: Frame finding his voice as a solo artist.

The North Star certainly worked in that regard, as the next album, Surf, was a bravely stripped down and soulful take the blossomed into two – and hopefully more – great following albums.  I definitely enjoy North Star while I’m listening to it, but it doesn’t leave much of a lasting impact.