Last Days - The Safety of the North

On paper, The Safety of the North sounds like a somewhat ambitious proposition. Creator and sole band member Graham Richardson’s vision of a cinematic album expressed through digital technology, repetitive piano notes and fleeting vocal interludes proves to be quite the enigma. There has to be an understanding of the author’s intent to fully appreciate his work. Dividing his songs into “scenes”, Richardson tells the story of a young girl who leaves city life behind to move to the rural north with her family. The songs encapsulate the emotions felt by each of the characters, which range from hope to isolation, while also telling the story of the land the characters inhabit. While it’s a nice idea, it can get rather dull. It’s original, but all we actually hear is rather unadventurous and mundane music. But those more inclined to seek out abstract ideas may just have a field day.