Originally recorded in 2003 and self-released in limited quantities, The North Atlantic's Wires in the Walls is now seeing release on We Put Out Records following the group taking an indefinite hiatus while guitarist/vocalist Jason Hendrix left the group for art school. Indefinite hiatus is certainly a state few bands recover from and the dedication and determination necessary to do so is present throughout the album.

For the most part, The North Atlantic drive forward with a blend of punk and straight-ahead rock paired with Jason Hendrix's urgent vocals as is present on the track "Drunk Under Electrics". When a bit of pop sensibility is mixed in, the result is the amazingly appealing "Scientist Girl" which is easily my favorite on the album.

The group does explore other areas on "Bottom Of This Town" and "Cities". The former features more emo-tive vocals from Hendrix over a bed of synth that come together in a chorus that could easily feel at home in an 80s prom mix. The latter similarly explores a more synthetic ambient sound bed, but lacks the anthemic chorus. I should make it clear that these weaker moments are far from the norm and by the album’s closing track "The Ministry of Helicopters" The North Atlantic are back to the rocking ways of the opening tracks.