Full Review

Nathaniel Rateliff, And Its Still Alright Review

Nathaniel Rateliff is a singer-songwriter that blends folk with roots rock and a tinge of vintage rhythm and blues. Rateliff’s well-written lyrics are carried by his emotive tenor voice and is supported by his band the Night Sweats. Based in Denver, Colorado, Rateliff released a solo record on Rounder in 2010 titled In Memory of Loss. In 2013, he released an independent album titled Falling Faster Than You Can Run. However, Rateliff had begun writing songs that required a band, so he formed the Night Sweats. Their loud retro sound was deeply influenced by vintage soul, R&B, and gospel traditions, Van Morrison and the band. Together, they built a formidable live show and soon they signed to Stax. Rateliff and the label enlisted producer Richard Swift to capture the band’s live attack in the recording studio. Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats’ self-titled debut album was issued in August. The band performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Rateliff is releasing And Its Still Alright, his first solo album in nearly seven years, via Stax Records. Rateliff returned to Swift’s studio, National Freedom, in Cottage Grove, Oregon. He was joined by co-producers Patrick Meese (longtime collaborator and The Night Sweats drummer) and James Barone (Beach House drummer), who both also engineered and mixed the record. The album features additional contributions from Tom Hagerman (DeVotchKa violinist), Luke Mossman (The Night Sweats guitarist), Elijah Thomson (Everest bassist), Daniel Creamer (The Texas Gentlemen keyboardist) and Eric Swanson (steel guitarist).

Positives: Rateliff is a beautiful lyricist, and his ability to tell a story is the heart of And It’s Still Alright.

Bottom Line: And Its Still Alright songs initially centered on the pain of his unraveling relationship, but the theme of the album took a different direction when Richard Swift, his longtime friend, and producer of Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats’ two acclaimed albums, passed away in July 2018. “I think I always want to see hope in the darkness, and I like to try to share that,” Rateliff explains. “I always try to write from a perspective of trying to approach everything very honestly, even if it leaves me vulnerable. But overall, it’s almost like I’m a different character when I’m writing for myself.” He continues, “I think this album is a reminder that we all go through hardship, but regardless of the hardship, everything ends up where it’s supposed to. I still continue to live, and I still continue to find joy. I think that’s the theme of the record.” Rateliff’s vocal and band sound is shrouded in reverb and with frequent use of strings and choral moments, And It’s Still Alright offers many colors. The songwriting is honest and emotionally motivated. “What A Drag” is an emotional number, though the vocals are a little buried, making some of the lyrics hard to hear. “And It’s Still Alright” has an Americana vibe that will appeal to fans of both folk, country, and Americana. This is the catchiest selection of the ten tracks. Rateliff’s singing is warm, some of the production and mix is a little unbalanced. The saving factor is Rateliff’s lyrics of vulnerability and life viewed honestly. That’s the short of it!