This album starts with “Shoe Boot”. It’s a very smooth intro, with some very funky and bluesy licks. If you were a fan of the last album, you can expect a lot of the same stuff on this album instrumentally. But, there are a few very big differences, like a serious upgrade in production. Simply put, this album sounds great. I really love some of the added focus on the brass section of The Night Sweats as well In general, Nathaniel’s presence isn’t felt as much throughout this intro, and lets his backing band really show their talents. “Shoe Boot” is one bluesy jam, and I love Nathaniel’s very bluesy vocals that sound better than ever. While the last album was a little bit rough around the edges and felt like a truly Southern Rock album at heart, this is certainly much more polished. But I don’t think that’s a bad thing, this is a seriously classy intro that ushers in a lot of the sounds of the band if you’re new here. “Be There” is a little more straightforward, not nearly as glitzy and a little bit more rough and tumble. Instrumentally though this is much wider and a much more intricate album than their last outing. However, Nathaniel remains the star. His incredibly soulful vocals sound better than ever, and if you loved what you heard from him on the last album there’s no reason you won’t love this as well. Now, personally, for me, this is a little too on the rails. While I seriously love Nathaniel's performance, and his backing band sounds good, this is just a little too polished for me. However, there is a TON to like here. “A Little Honey” is once again a little more stripped down and rougher around the edges. I love Nathaniel’s howling vocals here, and just how sunny the atmosphere of this one comes off, mostly from those positive keyboards and Nathaniel’s booming performance. The endearing and sweet nature of this one is intoxicating, and while this may not be the rough and tumble Southern Blues I’m used to hearing from these guys. We get a great groove, The Night Sweats sound great, and Nathaniel’s performance is gigantic. Then we have “Say It Louder”, which is another very soulful, almost ragtime-inspired Southern Jam. It’s moments like this though that Nathaniel really stands out the most with his gigantic vocals. This is a little more subtle of a track, with the instrumentals much more on the lighter side. But Nathaniel breaks out out some of his bluesiest performances yet and easily gives us some of his most emotional bars. I wish this track was maybe a little more in-depth and Nathaniel took this a little further. But there’s plenty to dig here.
Up next is “Hey Mama”, which was one of the first tracks released from this album. Now, these are the type of tunes from Nathaniel that I honestly don’t care for that much. I totally dig some of the very soulful performances and the overtly Southern instrumental. Even the breezy atmosphere is done really nice, and I love the very retro vibe to this. But like I said, these are just not the songs I like to hear from these guys. I like to hear a little grit mixed in with their Southern Soul. “Hey Mama” is a sweet track and all, and there are some great harmonies. So it’s far from a bad tune, but just not what I look for in them. Then we have “Babe I Know” featuring Indie Pop band Lucius. This is once again, a much more breezy, stripped down track. So far, that’s what we’ve been getting a lot of here. But this one is an absolute sucker punch to the gut. Nathaniel’s performance here is so stunning and emotional, and the stripped down nature of this track makes his performance hit harder. It’s deep, it’s heartbroken, and comes off like a classic Folk ballad. Lucius on backing vocals do a fantastic job as well, and add so much depth to this one. Honestly, I would love to hear The Night Sweats bring in some more backing vocals, especially if it meant bringing in some more gospel flair. “Babe I Know” is one classy tune. Now, the second half of this album is much more upbeat. “Intro” is up next, and this one picks up quickly into a real foot stomper. It’s got a very old school sound to it, and between Nathaniel and The Night Sweats they seem very much at home. I love hearing Nathaniel break out into these much more wild performances. Here, he’s got some seriously great swagger, and The Night Sweats really back him up with some seriously funky licks which I’m totally obsessed with. What this track is casually doing halfway through an album is beyond me, but I’m happy it’s here. On the other hand, I really love the muddy, laid back, Roots-Rock feel of “Coolin’ Out” (once again featuring Lucius). It’s a slower tune, but it’s punchy and just the right amount of Soul that I wanted to hear. I love Lucius’s contributions once again, as they add just so much depth to the already bold instrumental. I wouldn’t say that this is Nathaniel's most emotional or booming performance, but, I do have to give him credit because this is easily one of his coolest performances. Not to mention, I seriously love the very timeless feel to this one. This, on every level, is seriously the best overall medium for the band’s sound.
“Baby I Lost My Way (But I’m Going Home) is up next, and this one almost has a jazzy tone to it. But I feel like on this one, and this is weird to say, but Nathaniel and The Night Sweats almost go for a Psych Pop feel. Which on paper, sounds like something I would love, and I really do love the ghoulish groove and the darker tone. But I feel like that vintage feel that they always pull off so well isn’t anywhere to be found here. This just seems like a very current band going overboard to get a classic sound. In a nutshell, they’re trying a little too hard here. And ironically, “You Worry Me” actually has a lot of the same sounds of the last one. There’s a very vintage Pop feel to this one. But this is so much more tasteful and interesting, and it comes off flawlessly. There’s a sense of mystery here that’s just so cool, and I actually love just how timeless some of Nathaniel’s lyrics are. Overall, this gets a big check in my book, and maybe the best track here. Plus, the bluesy riffs and Soul influences are here for all of you classic fans of Nathaniel. But “Still Out There Running” brings it back to a much slower and bluesy sound. I hate to say it though, but it’s moments like this that I still have slight issues. I don’t mind the fact that this is stripped down and sort of jazzy. I have an issue with just how little of personality this one has. It’s an OK song, but it sounds like a cover, and way too much of a reach, like Nathaniel & The Night Sweats are imitating a style more than anything. There are a lot of the same, Soulful elements and sweet harmonies. And if you dig on this one, that’s fine, but I need a little more oomph. This album finishes off with “Tearing At The Seams”. Here, we have another very soft intro. But thankfully the boys rev this one up quickly with some very patient and interesting instrumentals that are totally different than everything else we’ve heard here. Nathaniel is at his most emotional, his most intense, and he sounds fantastic. Not to mention, while it’s over 5 minutes, it really doesn’t feel like it at all, and this ends up being a pleasant ending.
Rating: 7.7/10
Give A Listen To: “A Little Honey”, “You Worry Me”, “Intro”, “Coolin’ Out”
Genre: Southern Rock / Soul / Blues
Overall Thoughts: I hate to start off my reviews with this, but if you were into Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats last album, you’re most likely going to be into this. There are a few noticeable improvements however. The production is much better here, and Nathaniel really puts a whole lot more focus on The Night Sweats instrumentals which is gold. Also, even though their contributions are minor I really enjoyed the backing vocals Lucius’ provided. Now, I still have an issue with some of the softer tunes, and some of the later tracks do feel like Nathaniel is imitating more than creating his own sound. But overall I’m really pleased with how this follow-up came out, and Nathaniel comes through with some of his most memorable songs yet.
No comments:
Post a Comment