Dublin band North Sea have kept a relatively low profile since the release of their debut EP three years ago; the interim time spent honing their 80s/90s craft has been well used, for if there’s a better band mining the rich seam of post-punk individualism we have yet to hear it.
Curiously, the detectable influences are three much loved Irish bands – Into Paradise, Whipping Boy and A House (the latter even more so via the spindly but effective vocals of Eoin Kenny).
Other inspirations (from Echo and the Bunnymen to The National) prove equally affecting, but such is the form and quality of the music that you'd be wrong in thinking Anniversary is one big bucket of other people's creative sweat.
Tracks as intriguing as December and Decay testify to North Sea's impressive, striking skills.
