North Lincoln: Midwestern Blood

Almost five years after releasing its debut Truth Is a Menace on No Idea Records, Grand Rapids, MI punk trio North Lincoln have returned with its second platter for The Gainesville House That Punk Built. Entitled Midwestern Blood, the record picks up right where its debut left off, asserting loudly that while its blood may be Midwestern, the heart of North Lincoln beats to the rhythm of the early ’90s East Bay punk scene. Lots of Samiam enters in the mix and gets tempered nicely with a three-piece Jawbreaker sensibility. Midwestern Blood might start off a little lackluster, but by the time “Remember” grabs you by the collar four tracks in, you would do well to hold on to your cute little behind, as it’s off to the races for the duration. Overall, Midwestern Blood combines the best parts of Gainesville, FL and East Bay punk rock, cold filtering it through the fertile Michigan scene to make it the best North Lincoln record to date.