there was nothing about the first album that really stuck out to me, but I did like it, I thought it was alright. I dunno. It reminded me of a lot of things, but also of nothing? Like, it felt so strongly reminiscent, but of what I don’t know. If that makes sense. The only things I could identify were little pieces of The Oh Hellos and little itty bitty pieces of Death Cab for Cutie. The main issue here is that at least so far I don’t like the things in Run River North anywhere near as much as what they remind me of. So that’s a bummer, albeit one that might resolve itself as I listen to it more.
It’s also not incredibly relevant to my overall rating because of how different the rest of their music sounds. Not so different that I’m left wondering how they got here, but different enough that the band is not the same. Much less folky, much more indie alternative/pop. Second phase Run River North sounds to me a bit like Michigander, except I actually like it? Michigander never stuck with me, it was never more than meh to me. Run River North I feel occupies that same space, just… better. I like it more, at least.
All that to say I think in this case the change of direction was different in a good way- the second album, Drinking from a Salt Pond, kinda slaps. I like all but one of the songs a lot, really really solid. Their Monsters Calling Home EPs are great, moving in the same direction as Drinking from a Salt Pond, and moving there with confidence and savvy. Creatures In Your Head follows up super strong as well, just getting better and better. So yeah I’m sold, I think it’s great.
It’s fun, it’s interesting, it’s got range, I think they get better over time- Run River North just checks my boxes. There were only a few songs that really stood out to me immediately, but a better way to phrase that would be that there were songs that stood out to me immediately, which is not all that common. I feel fairly confident that more will stand out to me given time and attention. Easy A
tunafruitsandwitch 
I thought a lot about what I wanted to say, and I kind of just landed on “yeah”. This makes a lot of sense, and I think my impression of Run River North as of right now is pretty much exactly what you took away from it. When I was super into folk and chill music last summer, Run River North was what opened up that whole genre for me; after listening to them for about a year now, I’ve grown to love their other music and have moved away from their first album. Not that the first album isn’t good at what it does, because it is, I’m just not with it anymore, you know? Anyway.
Of all the artists I’ve listened to since I started my own listening process, I think Run River North has my favorite change of direction in their musical focus. I wish Monsters Calling Home, Vol.2 wasn’t an EP because every song in it (to me) is so freaking good. Roll your windows down, blast the sound, fun time sing along type vibes. As songs go, Pretty Lies is great, Spiders is great, OKAY COOL is great, I’m Amazing may be one of my most favorite songs ever… I could go on and on.
Therefore, what? Pretty much just yeah, I agree a lot with this, and as I’ve listened more and more I’ve found myself being even more drawn to where they’re headed. Also an A for me
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“Like, it felt so strongly reminiscent, but of what I don’t know.” – yes to this. So much for me. What is this reminding me of? Have I heard this before? No? But it sounds so familiar…but also new. How and why? I don’t know.
I enjoyed all of the albums – 1+2=3 (sad takes) the most.
I enjoyed how their sound was never what I expected – they started off SO folksy – but also not so far off from where they began, but kind of. Why can’t I nail this band down? Maybe they, like short pimply fellow with the very bad breath, are un-nailable. Whatever their secret is, I enjoyed them very much.
RRN gets a strong A- from me.
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I’m glad I’m not the only one who got that vibe from them. Did you also listen to the Monsters Calling Home EPs, the ones that weren’t (sad takes)? Or did you just listen to the (sad takes)?
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