Description
Nathaniel Rateliff has written and recorded his first solo record since the explosive debut of his work together with The Night Sweats. And Its Still Alright, is an intensely personal 10-song album of vibrant country-blues, badland ballads, ornate Americana and jazz-inflected R&B. Rateliffs warm baritone, ranging from gently hushed to a guttural howl, imbues these superbly drawn character studies with raw, naked emotion. And Its Still Alright was produced by Rateliff, Night Sweats drummer Patrick Meese and James Barone of the indie band, Beach House and primarily recorded at National Freedom in Cottage Grove, Oregon, the studio formerly owned by the late Richard Swift (who produced both Night Sweats recordings). While Rateliff, Meese and Barone handled much of the albums instrumentation, several friends make contributions including Night Sweats guitarist Luke Mossman; bassist Elijah Thomson (of the indie band Everest); keyboardist Daniel Creamer (of The Texas Gentlemen); steel guitarist Eric Swanson (touring musician for Israel Nash) and renowned string arranger Tom Hagerman (of the instrumental vocal ensemble DeVotchKa), whose delicate orchestrations beautifully complement the albums deep emotional terrain. The many highlights include album opener What A Drag, which sketches a vivid portrait of a disconnected relationship, Tonight #2, a haunting, end-of-the-world waltz, Time Stands, detailing an epic, desperate struggle for love and the elegiac Rush On, a heart-breaking requiem for Swift. Unguarded and unflinchingly real, And Its Still Alright expands on the sounds and styles Rateliff has used to great affect across both his band and solo careers.
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