It's obvious in Rice's music the influence of his favorite artist like Bob Dylan, Neil Young even Lou Reed have helped mold his sound. Further North is a collection of 11 original tracks and although Rice's music is still a folk/rock type music this disc seems to deal with much more honest and sobering issues while not sacrificing the melodies or rhythm. Rice's current girlfriend Jenny Lewis of the band Rilo Kiley also had an impact on the album in songwriting and even contributing to the duet between her and Rice on the song "End of the Affair." The album as a whole comes across like a fine dry wine. Not too sweet but not lacking any body. The lyrics are on full display with a sharp honesty as they slice through the catchy yet pensive tunes amid Rice's rough antique voice. A couple of the stand out tunes would be "What Am I Going To Do," the lead off track We're "All Stuck Out In The Desert" or the title track "Further North" but I have to reflect as I listen to this disc that it definitely get better with each listen.