Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats | Self-Titled

Recently I discovered this band and wrote a little something before I had a chance to dig into to the full album that dropped in August. And at first listen I was hesitant to write another post about it because I was afraid that it’s sort of gimmicky nostalagia sound would wear off on me after a few listens. But fuck it, I’ve given it enough time and I’m officially putting an Empty Bottle Evenings stamp of approval on this one. From the horn blasting lead off track “I Need Never Get Old” until the wisely titled closer “Mellow Out”, I want to make love to this album.

It’s absolutely an old school record for fans of soulful R&B popular several decades ago (think “Soul Man”), but it really doesn’t feel forced. I know it’s become almost cliché for current bands to adopt the sounds of yesteryear like Fitz & the Tantrums (twice), or JD McPherson, and St Paul & the Broken Bones, but it wouldn’t be feasible if there weren’t suckers like me that ate that shit right up. And I just can’t help it, I’m drawn to the sounds of our past when it seemed like music meant something. Sure, it could have been just as exploitative in business and meaningless in content as it is today in the age of Swift, but gosh darnnit the sounds are powerful. When I hear Nathaniel Rateliff & the Nights Sweats I don’t think about greed and pre-packaged musical fame, I feel something more innocent; whether that’s complete bullshit or not who knows?

I know that Rateliff isn’t entirely dedicated to soul, that’s what the last post was about. But that doesn’t mean he and his band can’t deliver something smooth as silk and damn soulful without crossing the line into abrasive. I feel like St Paul & the Broken Bones’s debut Half the City did push that line too far where at times I was a little taken aback. Rateliff’s vocals stay in their lane without any disjarring shrieking but still bring the kind of soul energy and instrumentation that asks for some dancing. It might be white guy dancing but hell we all need to move. Obesity is dangerous. I know Empty Bottle Evenings is more likely to encourage bad behavior than sponsor an exercise themed PSA but good lord get the hell up and shake your fat ass to this record.

And when you’re not (night) sweating to tracks like “S.O.B.” and “Look It Here”, enjoy a song like “Wasting Time” that sounds more like they are influenced by The Band than Motown. There’s definitely some of the ’70s rock and folk that Rateliff shows more on his other material, but he’s not shy about showcasing his R&B influences like Van Morrison or Sam Cooke whether by song or name dropping them in interviews. They are clearly aware that this album draws from the past and are still wisely able to create enjoyable but new songs from start to finish. And again, the album closes with “Mellow Out”, a solid track that has been compared by multiple people to Otis Redding. I don’t disagree but I also hear a little Jimmy Cliff in there. Nothing wrong with both, right? I mean, I know we all crave something new, but imitating some of rock n roll’s pioneers this well ain’t so bad either.

The Drink: Four Fried Chickens and a coke.

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Bake

I'm nothing. Maybe less than nothing. I also write.

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