The superb line between contemplation and navel gazing has at all times been a tough balancing act to attain, however right here Nathanial Rateliff, ably backed by the soulful Evening Sweats on their fourth studio album, does so with out using a security web.
And that this collective of musicians does so by respiratory new life into established codecs is to be applauded. With a lineage that stretches again to the cosmic Celtic soul of Van Morrison, Rateliff’s storytelling confronts his personal doubts and perceived shortcomings
The rollicking David And Goliath grows in stature with the band pumping up as Rateliffe sings ‘The solar can’t shine for me day by day’ with the realisation that good instances include the dangerous.
The barroom waltz of the title monitor seems to be to a brighter future, whereas the craving Keep in mind I Was A Dancer is a reconciliation with the previous that leads to blue-eyed soul for grown-ups.