Reviewed by Tim Walker

The first full album from this new Lancashire quartet (following a four-song EP last year) who've been supporting the Edenitese on a few gigs recently. NOAM occupy a similar musical ballpark as their stagemates, albeit a bit more electric guitar, indie-rock-based (even considering EB's shift in this direction of late). The album suggests to me they'd put in a cracking live set, it's always hard to replicate the energy of a gig performance in a studio demo, but NOAM make a better attempt than many I've heard. Most of the songs here are well-crafted and played, with more than a couple of good hooks (re "The Other Side"), whilst my special award goes to the album's closing track "The Flame", a song from their first demo given the "unplugged" treatment, complete with percussive chair! It's a quirky ending to the tape, the sort of thing all too rare in a band these days. 'This Far' captures a group on a learning curve - I'm sure any remaining signs of inexperience will disappear after a good summer's gigging! In the meantime, all Edenites should catch this promising crew at this summer's festivals, and get those cheques off to Lancashire.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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