Ithaca-based band Noon Fifteen’s new album Finish What You Started, released Oct. 15, features 10 tracks about love, vampires, politicians and other monsters eight years in the making. The progressive rock band’s blend of rock, pop, soul and psychedelia is palpable on every track.
Band members include Mandy Goldman on vocals and guitar, Samuel B. Lupowitz on keyboards and vocals, Joe Massa on guitar and Harry Nichols on bass and vocals. After Covid put the band on a brief pause, they are back with their second album, their first being At the Festival (2019). The band has been releasing tracks like “The Tick” and “Easy” accompanied by 360° videos on their YouTube channel.
From an ear-catching soulful opener in the title track “Finish What You Started” inspired by 2009 vampire movie “Daybreakers,” to a strong, gospel sound in “Imposter,” about a woman who wakes up to find her spouse replaced with a doppelganger, the album mixes spooky stories with multi-genre instrumentals to create a fun yet powerful sound.
The easy-going reggae sound on “Easy” transitions into incendiary rock and roll, Goldman’s rich vocals match to perfection. In “The Cell,” the band embraces instrumentals inspired by The Meters under vocals exploring the common R&B motif of cheating on one’s lady.
“Barricades” has a twinge of musical theater sound with the piano and drums supporting Goldman’s ballad. Vampires come back into play in the groovy track “The Tick.” The spooky stories of monsters, vampires and even dinosaurs with an undertone of love and political statements are transformed into powerful tracks that are sure to bring listeners to their feet.
“I love a good juxtaposition,” bassist and vocalist Nichols said. “I like to take something spooky and creepy and make it really catchy and fun.”
On top of the album, Noon Fifteen has stayed busy contributing to the 2026 NPR Tiny Desk Contest with “The Data Center Song,” which speared AI, corporate greed and destruction of communities. The band has also performed their cover of the Beatles album Rubber Soul (1965) around the northeast.
Noon Fifteen held an event at Liquid State Brewing in Ithaca Oct. 16 to celebrate the long-awaited release, which featured special guests La Llorona and Porch Couch.
Stream the album here.
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