At times, The Good North sounds almost as if Thom Yorke had shed his melancholy and decided to form an emo side project. Then again, any super-melodic male singer who draws out his syllables the way Luke O'Neil does might create that impression -- and thankfully, it's only a passing resemblance. However, it is the vocals that set An Explanation apart from the power-chording, tight-changing pack (it sure as hell isn't the hipster-goddess pic on the CD's cover).

This is an album of well-played, appealing pop music from a band that successfully balances catchy hooks and familiar song structures with a modest -- but adequate -- measure of originality. The Good North don't break too much new ground, but they're a long way from stinking up the joint. Emo seems to be one of their primary influences, evident in things like dynamic shifts from relaxed to driving to balls-out rocking, copious use of harmonics ("Visions of You") and the complex interweaving of guitar and bass melodies within songs that are really pretty simple. The vocals, though, come from an even more mainstream place. O'Neil is solely a frontman in the tradition of Bowie or Bono; sure, they might play guitar, but do you give a shit? O'Neil's instrument is his voice, and he's obviously spent quite a bit of time learning it.

The Good North is that rare band that find their niche and settle firmly into it relatively early -- they've only been together two years. There are a lot of reasons they're good. Skilled musicianship, songs that hang well together while remaining distinct from one another and good singing won't guarantee success, but they go a long way.