Nathaniel Green formed in late 2000 when Matt Broadbent joined forces with Rob Taylor. Matt was looking for an outlet for the songs that didn’t fit the remit of his emo-punk band, Dugong, and focused more on an acoustic sound. Rob was on hand to warm the sound with his Fender Rhodes piano and soon added his writing skills. By late 2001, the band had released the acclaimed mini-album, ‘Down to you then, supergirl’. Matt and Rob then decided to recruit a backing band of friends to give their sound an extra dimension. New material was written, and now the bands debut full-length album ‘Same Time Tomorrow’ has been released through the good folks at Firefly.
What is immediately apparent about this album is the strength of the song writing. We are delivered lyrics that sound more like a diary entry than a collection of songs. There are some very dark, personal subject matters committed to record here, and this perhaps explains why this album takes some time to really get to grips with. The term ‘grower’ is a huge cliché, I know, but it is a very apt term for ‘Same Time Tomorrow’. It is the music that helps that growing process. Stripped down acoustic guitar riffs and lush piano melodies warm the heart and draw the listener into the real essence of the album. This isn’t an album to jump around your room to, this is an album to sit and contemplate, full of melancholic musings.
Album opener ‘That’s where they buried the giant’ gives a real indication that Nathaniel Green have grown as a band over the last couple of years. The song kicks off with the guitar and piano combination, working in harmony with the personal subject matter of the lyrics, before drums kick in half way through and enable the song to reach a new emotional level. Strong material follows in the shape of ‘Abba Melody’ and ‘Mort a la bete’, before we reach a real standout moment in the shape of ‘Sayings said’: A guitar, a piano and two voices from Wakefield, as simple and effective as that. However, if that was a great song, album closer ‘Al’s denim dreams’ is even better, and a real testament to the beauty and emotion this outfit can create.
‘Same Time Tomorrow’ is an understated little gem of an album. It features ten tracks that are never poor, and occasionally outstanding. It make take some time to get into this album, due to the subject matter of the lyrics, but stick with it and you will be rewarded with something you will listen to time and time again.
Mark