[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
Gregory Alan Isakov — This Empty Northern Hemisphere
Album: This Empty Northern Hemisphere
Avg rating:
7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1660









Released: 2009
Length: 4:56
Plays (last 30 days): 3
Smoke it flies from whisky mouths
Vagabonds walk this suitcase town
Summer left us beckoning
The cottonwoods were all worn out

Night comes fixing on the day
And the universe reigned again
While the wheels roll, it all glows a flickering light

While you were sleeping I was the turning the dials
And I walled up your kingdom with radio wires
And the bells of the choir came in low and rumbling
..aw you should a heard them

Living here in this city on fire, well I've been fine
Just dancing drunk above the street
Me the ghost of caroline

And that was me, ya know, calling up above
From the steeples in the church yard

Watch the wheels roll to find another place home

While you were sleeping, you bet that I might
Walk this empty northern hemisphere wide
And the kingdom it came, well it all fell down
It all fell to dust
Comments (51)add comment
the lyrics make me think he spent a summer up in northern alberta working at an oil refinery or some such. nice tune 
The mike in the wiki photo makes it seem like he has sick sideburns, 8 on that alone.
 zebradys wrote:

This is not what is playing right now.
Songs that played 20 minutes ago are repeating.



just disconnect for a few moments and re-connect. This happens occasionally with RP. You can fix it yourself.
This is not what is playing right now.
Songs that played 20 minutes ago are repeating.
saw him play with Patty Griffin in October - very impressed and thrilled to be hearing live music again! play on!
Following half of Abbey Road and Life On Mars, how much excellence do you think I can take in a day?!?  Try me! 
Thank's RP to let me know about this great artist. He's not very known in France and his records are hard to find but i finally suceed to bought them on line, i'm impatient to get them tomorrow for a Gregory Isakov' week-end.
RP you I introduced me to the work of this wonderful artist a few years back. Caroline is fewer than 60 miles away. Thank you.
 RabbitEars wrote:
just one second of this song and I'm transported.
 

First few riffs and I thought we were in for a cover of Take a Walk on the Wild Side
Just Brilliant Composition for a groovy high. 💋
 helgigermany wrote:
Beautiful!
 

I'm just starting to really pay attention to him for some reason.  I second that opinion.
 RabbitEars wrote:
This version of this song is from a live album, not Empty Northern Hemisphere: 

 
This song does not appear on his live album
just one second of this song and I'm transported.
 MayBaby wrote:
Ha! Thought it was Chris Martin.
 
Chris Martin couldn't achieve this if his own life was at stake.

Plus, I hear Coldplay won't be touring to promote their new album due to "concerns" about the environmental impact of the events.  Huzzah!!!
 fredriley wrote:
There's a fine line between elegaic and soporific, which wavers according to mood, day of week, hormones etc. Sadly this one is the wrong side of it today, and comes to these ears as aural Valium {#Sleep}
 
And what's wrong with that? I have a whole soporific playlist
 MayBaby wrote:
Ha! Thought it was Chris Martin.
 

Me too!
Such a lovely dance-with-your-love-outside-as-the-fireflies-glow song :)
 crogers wrote:

Big points to you both — love it when an adult discourse comes together!

 
+1 

I wish our politicians could discuss their differences with as much intelligence and understanding. 

RP is such a great place to hang out, thanks Bill (and all of your music-loving, intelligent listeners/commenters)
Ha! Thought it was Chris Martin.
Meilleur Hiver?
A mary jane tune for sure.
Beautiful!
I saw him play with the orchestra at Portland's Schnitz. Front row seat. So this is what it feels like to be a "fan".
I love his voice.. Can be a little dragged on, maybe some lead? 
 On_The_Beach wrote:

I much prefer this this explanation. Sounds more constructive, less insulting.
Thanks misterB.

 
Big points to you both — love it when an adult discourse comes together!
ugh, what droning noise.
{#Bananajam}
 misterbearbaby wrote:
Not to scratch the nit-bite on a gnat's nut, but I stand by my comment. It is quite concise, pithy even. Isakov's is a serious artistic attempt and my comment is likewise serious. It clearly conveys my opinions that I find the songwriting and musical composition overly simple and the singer's voice unpleasant.  It's of equal value to explain my  low score for this tune as it is to explain a high rating, if you admire this artist's work. I owe it to RP, a listener-supported medium (which I support financially, a point of fact) to elucidate what I like, as well as what I dislike. QED. I don't just toss these any comments off for your irritation; music- all music- means a great deal to me.
 
I much prefer this this explanation. Sounds more constructive, less insulting.
Thanks misterB.
 On_The_Beach wrote:

So... one sentence and a bunch of whining does not really make a "song comment" per se.1

 
Not to scratch the nit-bite on a gnat's nut, but I stand by my comment. It is quite concise, pithy even. Isakov's is a serious artistic attempt and my comment is likewise serious. It clearly conveys my opinions that I find the songwriting and musical composition overly simple and the singer's voice unpleasant.  It's of equal value to explain my  low score for this tune as it is to explain a high rating, if you admire this artist's work. I owe it to RP, a listener-supported medium (which I support financially, a point of fact) to elucidate what I like, as well as what I dislike. QED. I don't just toss these any comments off for your irritation; music- all music- means a great deal to me.
Just saw him a few weeks ago... so lovely, great band. My favorite artist to listen to these days. Such sweetness about him. 
 hempmandan wrote:
Asimov?
 
Not unless he's written 300 books, numerous papers, articles and reviews.
Wow. How annoying.. 
Asimov?
 misterbearbaby wrote:
So... one chord progression and a bunch of whining does not really make a "song" per se.1
 
So... one sentence and a bunch of whining does not really make a "song comment" per se. 1
8 > 9
 cbazinet wrote:
He sounds like Andrew Bird's twin brother from a different mother.

 
Was just thinking ...
 misterbearbaby wrote:
So... one chord progression and a bunch of whining does not really make a "song" per se.1

 
  I hear at least five different chords in this song.  Anyhow, I guess it depends on one's definition of a "song".  It's probably best not to start a sentence with the word "so"; it's a bad habit and annoyingly popular these days.
So... one chord progression and a bunch of whining does not really make a "song" per se.1
Very cool {#Cool}
Outstanding album.
Bill, please play 'Master and the Hound'; it is my favorite song on the planet; absolutely beautiful. 
Absolutely love it.

I do so hope he does it when I see him later this month.
   
He sounds like Andrew Bird's twin brother from a different mother.
Thanks for branching out with your GAI selections. I'm a huge fan of his.
 MojoJojo wrote:
 
{#Yes}
very nice
There's a fine line between elegaic and soporific, which wavers according to mood, day of week, hormones etc. Sadly this one is the wrong side of it today, and comes to these ears as aural Valium {#Sleep}
He sounds Perry Como laid back. That doesn't work for the tempo of the music. Lay off the Xanax, dude.

This early in the morning it should be all rock, all the time. Or at least until I have had my second mug of coffee.

3.
Great lyrics :) and everything else, well done!
Saw him open for Josh Ritter in January. This song was the highlight of their set