Rating: 6/7
Date Released: 8/21/2015
In the day and age of modern pop and artists that make you feel good with simplistic hooks, Nathaniel Rateliff’s debut, self-titled album with the Night Sweats is a breath of fresh air. It sets back the clocks to the days where soul dominated the airwaves and musicians sang with heart and passion. A time when emotion was real and you could feel it in every note.
Rateliff has been a touring artist since 2005 gaining a loyal following particularly in Denver, Colorado. Once dubbed a Denver local folk hero by the New York Times, Rateliff has recorded under many different names with many different members. He gained the most support while he toured under his own name with the likes of the Lumineers (another Denver band), Mumford & Sons, and Dr. Dog.
In this latest release under the name Nathaniel Ratliff & the Night Sweats, he showcases his rugged image with tracks that inspire you to buy a jean jacket and a bottle Jack Daniels. This album reminds me a lot of the gospel singing in the South while the use of hand percussion, humming, and shouting captured me to sing along. It is a masterpiece of soul that is showcased in Rateliff’s voice. His voice carries prominently over the blues inspired guitar and drums. There are no gimmicks here just attitude, emotion and confidence from the working class-hero band.
Nathaniel Ratliff & the Night Sweats are a band to lookout for and this album is an amazing debut that showcases what they are all about. No bullshit just good music that comes from the heart.
My Favorites: “Howling At Nothing”, “Look It Here”, and “S.O.B”
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