Critical praise for Everything is Incomplete and Theory of Your Life.
Everything is Incomplete
Douglas McLean
Album: Ian North, “Everything Is Incomplete”. Ian North released his third album 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.
John Kereiff, Gonzo Okanagan
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.
Great Dark Wonder
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.
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. This is thoughtful, purposeful music meant to be listened to and received sincerely.
Quirky troubadour Ian North is back from a hiatus with wry sense of humor and sharp eye for the human 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.
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 Tollar's superb soprano saxism.
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. There is a little touch of avant-garde structure and some surrealism but it works well among the incipient coolness that Van Morrison would bring to his more cohesive early period.
Ian, a Canadian, is an award-winning artist who had taken a long hiatus but managed to sculpt this 3rd studio LP and take his place beside Hamilton, Morrison, Neil Young, Bruce Cockburn, David Gray and artists who always color outside of the margins. This is sophisticated stuff and though you could dance to it, it's not dance music per se. It's for listening… and listening again.
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.
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.
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.
Ian North's “Tumbledown” reflects on non-tranquil moments — with the song title reflecting on both the physical status of a house lived in, and a similar mental chaos. It was recorded during North's year-long stint in rehabilitation after suffering from a double-lung pulmonary embolism. “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.
“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. Ain't nothing as simple as it seems — that is North's true best guess.”
“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. 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. The musicianship on Theory of Your Life is flawless.”
“Unusually vivid first-person narratives, both confessional and pure confection, are probably his strongest suit, but Toronto songwriter Ian North 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.”
“Great collection of tunes from a very fine songwriter — a very strong CD that demands to be listened to.”
“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.”
“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.”
“Ian North reminds me of home — the countryside, up north, closer to heaven and a lot further from distraction.”
“North's clear clean vocals stay with you, as do his songs.”
““Theory of Your Life” is a comforting reassurance that the true songwriter still flourishes — a rare pleasure.”
“The songs are superb and the performances first class.”
“Ian's music is a fusion of country, jazz and blues with deep, deep roots in traditional Canadian music and influences.”
“If W.B. Yeats took to song-writing, he would have produced something akin to Theory of Your 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.”
