Michael Swanger / Cityview: With the help of Iowa City producer John Svec, one of the best Des Moines bands and leading local purveyors of pop-punk, North of Grand, returns with its fourth album since its inception five years ago, Setbacks Are Scheduled for Tomorrow, arguably their most radio-ready effort to date. Guitarist/singer Sean Wilson, bassist Dan Ketelsen and drummer Pat Curtis put their lanky sound and satirical wit in the pocket on the swift opening number "Des Moines River Conference" and stay there for the album’s remaining seven strong, original songs. Though sometimes the band’s pop overwhelms its punk, the tradeoff is immaterial considering the new ground NOG breaks with the slinky "Gray," the Jane’s Addiction-like "Waiting" and the ambient finale "Rain Fade."

Jeff Morlan / Des Moines Register - Des Moines powerpop trio North of Grand has released it’s fouth compilation, Setbacks Are Scheduled For Tomorrow. The eight-track disc is full of quality upbeat, melodic, punk-infused, pop rock. Without a bad song on the album, Setbacks is a nice disc for rockin’ out in the car after a slow day at work.

(CITYVIEW - JULY 19, 2006) -- Des Moines punk-rock trio North of Grand set the bar pretty high with 2005's "Attention to Revenge," but it appears as though they've raised it again with their third album, "Cut You Down." The seven-song EP is strong from top to bottom thanks to its melodies, angular rhythms and witty lyrics, though tracks like "900," "Oh My God" and "Someday Ordinary" stand out. There's even another well-chosen cover of the Groovie Ghoulies ("Carly Simon") here for good measure. What really stands out, though, is the seemingly telepathic interplay between singer-guitarist Sean Wilson, drummer Pat Curtis and bassist Dan Ketelsen - an impressive feat considering North of Grand has only been together for three years. Co-producer Nick Day wraps the whole thing up to create an explosive package of power-pop and punk. -Michael Swanger

Chockful of clever lyrics ("Republican"), memorable melodies ("This is Started"), catchy hooks ("Chemical"), and driving rhythms ("Long Ago"), Attention to Revenge is the breakthrough album we've been waiting for from this talented trio of local punk rockers and is sure to garner the band some much-deserved national attention. North of Grand may have been known at one time as one of Des Moines' best-kept secrets, but thanks to their stellar new album, the cat is out of the bag. - Michael Swanger / Cityview

"...everybody should be susceptible to the catchy, concise, hard-hitting songs of North of Grand…(4 out of 5 stars)" - Kyle Munson / Des Moines Register

Review of North of Grand's set at Gross Domestic Product 2007, held March 31 at the Hotel Fort Des Moines.  This was Andy Cusack's blog on dmjuice.com:  "I was floored by North of Grand. Admittedly, I had never gotten to hear them before, but I had seen a lot of their posters and ads. From the looks of those, I had assumed they were punk/rockabilly greasers. I was reminded of the danger of judging a band by its marketing when they turned out to be a catchy power pop band. They’re cut from a mold much closer to classic power poppers 20/20 and the Plimsouls than Rocket from the Crypt; their cue ball, bespectacled appearance further removed them from greaser-hood. As you may be aware of my power pop soft-spot, I dug ‘em."